Clavicle Redux

So, at the end of the season last summer, Elder Child had a bit of a run-in with the boards, resulting in a broken collarbone and about six weeks off the ice. He managed to make it through the summer season this year without any injuries, and worked his butt off all spring to make it onto the Dallas Stars Selects travel team. He didn't get to go to hockey camp in Michigan as planned because of his grandma's funeral, so that was a bummer, but we got through it.

He's playing with a coach he's had before, who's a great motivator, a good instructor and a good friend, too. He's played with many kids that he's been on teams with in the past, and he was really looking forward to a great year. The start of the season was kicked off by a tournament this weekend, so they were fired up and ready. Unfortunately, they lost their first game, even though they played well and seemed to be clicking as a team. And the second game was Saturday night. My brother and his family were in town for a wedding, so they had a chance to come out to the rink for the game, too. We settled into the stands and were getting into a great game when it happened. Again. Yep, slammed into the boards, just like last year. Slow to get up, just like last year. Not getting back onto the ice, yep, just like last year. Maybe it's just a stinger... maybe he just got the wind knocked out of him... Nope, it's broken again. Crap.

A couple of hours at the ER and a few x-rays later, it was confirmed. Same exact spot as last year, but this time it's bent a little more. And of course, because it's a holiday weekend, we have to wait until Tuesday morning for the visit to the orthopedist to see if he needs to have a pin put in or if we just let it heal on its own. Yay.

The good news? The boys rallied to win the rest of their games this weekend, and ended up winning the Bantam A championship. The Boy got to sit on the bench in his jersey and helmet and cheer the team on in the last two games and got his medal, too. It's going to be a great year, it will be. We just have to wait 6-8 weeks before we can fully participate again.