STEELE SPORTS

Quite simply put, if it were not for sports journalism, I’m not sure what I would be doing in this world as a career.

My life has revolved around sports for as far back as I can remember, and on a weekly basis, I get to be reminded why I fell in love with so many different sports and the intricate parts of each game that make them unique.

Upon reflecting on what I truly love most about this job, one characteristic stood out as an obvious favorite: the moments.

Every day I rev up the engine in my Jeep to prepare to drive to Steele County, I know that there is going to be a moment that defines a night.

As I grab my camera and notepad that read “news reporter,” I know that my responsibility is to identify that special occurrence and capture it to share it with those not fortunate enough to be there for it.

The difficulty of the job is that you never truly know when it may be.

Sure, sometimes moments are easier to find than others, but every now and then what defines a game can be something completely out of left field, so to speak.

In fact, a moment from this past week that defined the entire week – and possibly the entire month so far – was one that didn’t even have anything to do with the game itself.

Last Friday, it was a scary scene at the Steele County Blades game against the Dells Ducks when Blades forward Elliot Bauer went down on the bench due to an apparent head injury.

As play on the ice was about to resume following a faceoff, yells for help erupted on the Blades bench where Bauer had gone down.

Play quickly stopped and medical staff and first responders alike rushed to the scene to help the young man.

For the past 59 minutes, Four Seasons Centre had been consumed by a hockey game.

Now, it was way bigger than that.

While not every moment is meant to be captured on camera or on film, I think its value should be held close by everyone who experienced it.

When the moment strikes, you have to act fast.

Moments are only there for an instant, meaning you have to seize them almost instantaneously.

Thankfully for everyone at the Four Seasons Centre, that is what happened when the unthinkable occurred.

Those who were able to help Bauer on the bench showed heroism and the courage required to make a difference in a young man’s life.

In the eerie silence of an arena full of fans holding their breath, a moment was seized by brave men and women who understood their duty when the time called for them.

I think that this is the approach to life that we all ought to have, no matter what path we choose to take.

Every day there will be an opportunity to seize a moment and make a difference, no matter how big or small.

Search for it, and when you find it, make the most of it.