The Jeremy Stevenson Web Blog

News and Notes, 12/26/03

Ice Time Going Up...

It has appeared over the last few games that Jeremy's ice time is finally increasing. This is a good sign. Coach Trotz, who looks an awful lot like John Colicos from Battlestar Galactica (no offense to either intended), seems to have realized the impact Jeremy can have. He has done well, including getting his first goal of the season. He has played disciplined hockey, as well.

Box Score for 12/23/03 Game vs. Wild

This game ended in a 3-3 tie. Jeremy got some good ice time, though he did not show up in the scoring or penalty areas. It looks like he is getting used to the increased time again. Go Preds! Go Jeremy!
Box Score

Jeremy Cares About His Fans

Jeremy Stevenson is a favorite hockey player of mine because he really cares about his fans. When he gets to know fans, he stays real with them, instead of trying to put on false airs. That is what I like about Jeremy. Unlike some of the other guys I have seen make it to the bigs (many are current Anaheim Ducks), Jeremy never got a "big league" attitude. He is the same guy who enjoys (or puts up with) hearing our exploits and fielding our questions. He is a great, well-grounded guy.

Jeremy recently heard that a mutual friend had lost his mother. He fired up an email immediately after being notified, and that made the person's grief go a little easier. God bless Jeremy Stevenson.

In my own life, Jeremy helped inspire me to keep going at a low point. I had found out I was probably going to lose my teaching job because of B.S. politics. After emailing him, Jeremy fired right back with a gut check. Here are some excerpts from that email. AND NO, I AM NOT GOING TO REVEAL JEREMY'S EMAIL ADDRESS. He is my friend. That would be unethical. This letter is from March, 2003:

About your teaching. Things to remember..

1/ why did you start to teach? 2/ the harder things get, the better the victory is.

3/ always have fun. The harder they push you the better you'll get. If you just try to have what your doing then what ever they throw at you will be no problem.

We'll these are my words of wisdom, hope they help and good luck!

Well, Jeremy, I did my best but lost the job. However, I did have the victory. To this day, the kids in that school district remember me and email me, and still protest when my name comes up that they want me back. I did my best and left knowing that even though I was screwed out of the job, I did my best for the kids. The administration itself admitted that it had no basis in my performance or attitude to let me go, that it was basically just politics etc. My life is not what I envisioned, but hey, as long as I live by God's law and with Jeremy's words of wisdom, it is a life good enough. I am sure Jeremy never envisioned taking so long to make it to the NHL, but he does not look back with anger. He chalks it up to experience, and he keeps the faith and moves on.

Even though I am not currently teaching, I look forward to the day when I can bring the renewed vigor in my life and teaching that Jeremy's kind words and gesture of sending an email to me brought out. Right now, I use that enthusiasm and such in my tutoring of students, substitute teaching, and in my ministry at church. It is not the life I envisioned, but in some ways it is just as, if not more, fulfilling.

I just had to share how much he really cares for fans, especially those of us who were there in the old days. Well, until next time, keep your head up and stick on the ice! Go Preds!!!!!

Preds Play Tonight!

The Predators will be in action at Dallas tonight. They will then go to Phoenix to play the Coyotes. Go Preds!