Dorji Khan's off season trip to Mongolia

[Oddpurplefly 227]

Dorji Khan, left winger for the Toronto Legion in the VHL, sat in the empty locker room with head in his hands. Every one else had left but Dorji needed time to process what just happened. The sting of their second round playoff loss kept on chipping at his heart, but what weighed most heavily was saying goodbye to two legendary teammates, Harry Callahan and Diego Machado. Their departure from the team left a void in the Legion’s locker room.

 

The off season just began and Dorji knew he needed to escape the echoing silence of the empty rink. He decided to return to Mongolia, to the village where he’d first laced up his skates on a frozen pond and dreamt of playing hockey on the world stage. Dorji packed his bags, leaving behind the bright lights of Toronto for the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the Mongolian grasslands.

 

When Dorji arrived in his village, he was greeted by familiar faces and warm embraces. The community had always been his bedrock, their unwavering support propelling him through the ranks of professional hockey. As he walked through the village, Dorji noticed the lack of facilities for the children who shared his passion for the game. The frozen lake that had been his first real rink had seen a very visible increase in use for fishing and ice harvesting, leaving the younger generations without a proper place to practice.

Determined to give back to the village that had given him so much, the Mongolian Stallion decided to build an ice hockey arena. He rallied some family members who were builders and the villagers, sharing his vision of a place where children could learn, play and grow their love for the game. Since Dorji began his journey, the youth of the village have been more and more involved with hockey. With the villagers enthusiastic support, they began the monumental task of constructing the arena.

Dorji's dedication to the sport and to his hometown was very apparent. He worked tirelessly, hauling materials by hand, laying foundations and supervising every aspect of the construction. Dorji would also add a training facility to the building where he promised to be free to use for those in need. He bought a bunch of hockey equipment that he could lend to kids who wanted to try the sport. Word of Dorji's endeavor spread beyond the village, capturing the attention of the national media and attracting donations from hockey enthusiasts and organizations worldwide. The Toronto Legion, touched by Dorji's efforts, contributed funds and sent volunteers to assist with the build. Even Harry Callahan, though retired, and GM Doug made appearances to lend their support for Dorji and hockey in general.

 

Months of hard work, blood, sweat and tears finally paid off when the arena made it’s grand opening. The entire village gathered to celebrate, their faces alight with joy and pride. The local kids couldn’t wait to put on their skates and took to the ice for the first time. Dorji watched from the sidelines. His heart feeling pride. The arena was more than just a building for him, it was his way of giving back, cementing his legacy and being the face of hockey for all of Mongolia.

 

In recognition of Dorji's generous gift to the village, they decided to name the arena "Dorji Center." A plaque was unveiled at the entrance, bearing an inscription that honored Dorji's dedication and the impact he had made on the village. As he stood before the plaque, Dorji remained as humble as always. He started a speech by telling stories of his path from a young kid playing on a tiny pond, to playing the first rink on the lake, all the way to the VHL. He finished his speech by saying “ Even if I give you the tools to succeed, you guys are the ones who need to put in the work and be dedicated. Success is not a straight line, so there will always be ups and downs. But..if you keep showing up, giving your all and keep working hard, it won’t go unnoticed and good things will come to you.”

 

The off season had given Dorji more than just a break from the game. It had renewed his sense of purpose and connection to his roots. He spent this last days in Mongolia training in his facilities, pushing himself harder and harder to come back to Toronto in even better shape for the S98 season. As he prepared to return to Toronto for the upcoming season, he carried with him the memories of the village, the excitement of the youth and the knowledge that he had made a lasting difference.

 

781 words

PT week March 3 to 9

[LucyXpher 2,002]

Ahhh another vignette into the life of the Mongolian StallionI loved this one!