The Tough Part About Playing in the VHL...Being Away from Home

[Ozzy Batty 293]

Missing Home

 

I still cannot believe I am in Bratislava playing hockey for the Watchmen. I mean, a little over a year ago I was in Galway, sleeping in my own bed, eating meals cooked by my Ma, and just enjoying being a teenager. But then the whirlwind began. I remember that meeting like it was yesterday. The meeting that started this journey. I was being compared to Otis Boudreaux, but everyone seemed to whisper that they hoped I did not end my career the way he did, with so much unfulfilled potential. So even from that first day I felt under so much pressure. I hope I could become what they wanted me to be. 

 

The next thing I knew I was in Canada, getting ready for the World Junior Showcase Tournament. We did not do as well as we had hoped we would. But the tournament was a good way to introduce myself to the VHL. While waiting for the VHLM draft I headed home and returned to Canada after being drafted by Saskatoon. I spent the next few months traveling around North America, living out of suitcases while most days not even knowing what time zone I was in. Once again, we did not do as well as we hoped but I never stopped training. I was selected for the Commissioner's Cup which once again involved endless days of traveling around the world. I spent my 17th birthday on a plane traveling to another game...at least we were traveling on a plane instead of a bus.

 

I went back home where Dad taught me to drive. I have to admit those roads at home seem so small after being on the huge motorways in North America. I decided that I could not wait to buy my first car. But it would have to wait as I was drafted by Bratislava. I was also drafted by Los Angeles and had my first contract that I got paid for with them. So I had to fly to Bratislava, then to Los Angeles, then back to Bratislava. Our season started, more traveling, more buses, more airplanes, more nights living out of suitcases and not being sure what time zone I was even in.

 

I am really enjoying my time in the VHL. I love that I am getting such good coaching, I feel that I am getting better every week. But I miss home. I miss my bed, I miss my Ma and Dad. It is really hard to not feel like I have a home now. I live out of suitcases, even when we are in Bratislava. Why pay rent since we are on the road all of the time? So I rented a hotel room, even while we are in Bratislava. I am too young to really go to clubs. So my nights without games are quiet and normally spent alone. I try to call home every day, but people there have lives as well.

I guess the positive is that I do not like to be alone so with all of my free time I go over to the arena and practice. I hope it means I am getting better, but it is tough to tell. My teammates are so much better than me....and seem to be older as well.

It is lonely at times, I miss home....but in the end I hope that it all pays off and I will truly become the best teammate a player can have.

 

Word Count: 581

Claimed Week: 2 Jul 2023