The Littlest Enforcer That Could

Devli's second hockey season is coming to a close this weekend. Halfway through this season, he caught the bug. The hockey bug, that is. From a kid who had to be dragged kicking and screaming to each early morning practice and game - so much so, it made us wonder why we were putting ourselves through this weekly torture - Devlin is now becoming a hockey nut. He wants to know everything about the game, borrowing books from the library on the greatest players, to wanting to play a quick pick-up game of road hockey, or rather, carpet hockey in the basement. He's one of those boys now, you know, the ones that can recite various statistics of athletes and a team's win-loss ratio. As a female, I always had to wonder why a male brain could retain such useless information (in my humble opinion) but couldn't remember important dates like a birthday or anniversary.
He's also becoming a fan of the Montreal Canadiens, like his father. After a Habs game, whether it was a win or a loss, Devlin is wanting to watch the highlights and needing to know if his favorite players, David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty, scored a goal or two. I have tried to steer him towards my Red Wings, but he'll soon see the light when it's the play-offs and there are no Habs to cheer on.
But I digress. This post is about Devlin's hockey season. Despite his team's efforts, they've had a losing season. The players have all improved individually, but it hasn't been enough. There's one more game and the team is ever hopeful that it'll be a win.
After a session of power skating under his belt, Devlin is likely one of the stronger and faster skaters on his team. He's also one of the tiniest. At nearly eight years of age, he weighs 43 pounds and barely 4 feet tall. With the equipment, he's about 2 inches taller and maybe 3 pounds heavier. What position does he play? For the majority of the season, he's been a defenceman. The smallest one in the league.
And this season, he earned his first penalty! Two minutes for tripping. Unintentionally. Devlin was racing their net, hoping to outskate the opposing team's forward. He tripped himself, and as he landed, he stretched out his stick in a last ditch attempt to stop the puck. Instead, the opposing player tripped over the stick, and Devlin was sent to the box. His helmet was barely visible over the boards.
The littlest enforcer that could - #44.

Update - After an exciting game that went into overtime which included a goal that was not allowed, Devlin's team won their last game of the season to earn bronze medals.