We are a unit, we stay in the tunnel, hearing the fans chanting ATLANTA, ATLANTA. Excitement tickles my neck, while goosebumps run all over my body. While we are waiting to get on the ice - when it's time for us to finally start off a new season - reminiscences of the past overcome me. Like scenes flickering into my mind.
The first time standing on skates on a pond in my home village in Austria. Me, trying to get the skates do what I want. It was hard, it was tough. I was the luckiest boy in the world when I finally got a pair of skates, but noone knew how to teach me. Spending hours and hours to make it work, getting control of the skate blades, taking turns, speeding up and slowing down. It was hard effort but it was also fun. Setting a goal, mastering the skates beneath my feet. Not sure where that came from, noone in my family knew how to do it. It was just fascination lighted up by some coincidence.
Years later, already started playing hockey. Seems I got talent, and a scout approaching me. First time I hear of a distant league oversees called the SHL. Taking chances, playing it safe, hard decisions to make. Those were the days, never thought I could make it that far. 
The hint of a smile comes upon my face while we get going to enter the ice.