End of Year Party

Three months after we last gathered as a team, the '05 Lapeer Storm team joined together one last time, this time for the end of the year party. As had already been announced, this would also be the end of the team party, as their final game of the fall season was indeed the final time that this team would play together as a single unit on the ice.

The team party was held at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse in Utica, where the kids had the run of the entertainment area for nearly two hours. They were able to play putt-putt golf, slide down an inflatable slide, play laser tag, venture across a high-ropes course, bounce on a trampoline, and a rock climbing wall.

After the play time was over, players, coaches, and parents gathered for a pizza dinner before the coaches took turns talking about the team. The players were then called up to be given a gift and have a few words said about them. Once all of the players had their turn, the coach's gifts were handed out, as well as the gift for the team manager. It was an emotional afternoon, but each of the players have found a new home and are looking forward to their new opportunities. Hopefully this isn't the last time that we will be seeing this amazing family!

'05 Lapeer Storm End of Season Party
	Putt-putt golf was among the options the kids had to play this afternoon.
	An inflatable Titanic slide doesn't seem the most appropriate to me...
	...what with only First Class Passengers allowed to use the stairs to the top...
	...for the slide down to the water at the end.
	Ella, the younger sister of one of Drew's teammates braved the high-ropes course that Drew couldn't stomach.
	Even one of the parents found their way to the high-ropes course.
	A look at the cake and cupcakes that we would be able to enjoy after dinner.
	The players (and some siblings) gathering at the table while waiting for dinner.
	The players signed four of these photos, one for each of the coaches.
	Drew and a couple of teammates at the table.
	One of the coaches gifts.
	Everybody making their way to the buffet line for some pizza.
	Coach John opening the festivities with a talk about the team...
	...followed by Coach Leonard...
	...then Coach Doug...
	...and finally Coach Brandon, who spoke with a mouth full of pizza the whole time.
	The first player to take the stage was Blake, the teams goaltender.
	Paige, the head coach's daughter, was up next.
	Aiden's turn was next...
	...followed by Jessie.
	ST was up next, followed by...
	...Max, then...
	...then Alex R.,...
	...and Alex M.
	Smiling Nick was up next...
	...followed by Coach Brandon's son Ryan.
	Drew was next up...
	...and he was complemented on the progress he has made since the old days when he first started to now...
	...when he stands nearly as tall as the coaches (or as tall as, in one case).
	Anthony was next in line...
	...followed by Caden. Only Brady wasn't able to make today's celebration.
	Stacy, Caden's mom, giving Jodi, the team manager, a hug while presenting her with the team manager gift.
	Jody showing off the stepping stone that she was given for her garden.
	Stacy and Jodi comforting each other during this emotional time.
	Coach Brandon, Doug, Leonard, and John being presented their coaches gifts...
	...which were these cool photos.
	The coaches also got the cool little...
	...personalized boxes, which contained a whistle.
	Drew wiping some frosting from his face after having a cupcake shoved into him by Coach Brandon.
	Some of Drew's swag for the day.
	One last team photo (along with a special Dad, as Joe snuck in the back).
	Drew saying goodbye to Coach Leonard,...
	...Coach Brandon,...
	...and Coach John one last time.

'05 Lapeer Storm End of Season Party

Putt-putt golf was among the options the kids had to play this afternoon.

An inflatable Titanic slide doesn't seem the most appropriate to me...

...what with only First Class Passengers allowed to use the stairs to the top...

...for the slide down to the water at the end.

Ella, the younger sister of one of Drew's teammates braved the high-ropes course that Drew couldn't stomach.

Even one of the parents found their way to the high-ropes course.

A look at the cake and cupcakes that we would be able to enjoy after dinner.

The players (and some siblings) gathering at the table while waiting for dinner.

The players signed four of these photos, one for each of the coaches.

Drew and a couple of teammates at the table.

One of the coaches gifts.

Everybody making their way to the buffet line for some pizza.

Coach John opening the festivities with a talk about the team...

...followed by Coach Leonard...

...then Coach Doug...

...and finally Coach Brandon, who spoke with a mouth full of pizza the whole time.

The first player to take the stage was Blake, the teams goaltender.

Paige, the head coach's daughter, was up next.

Aiden's turn was next...

...followed by Jessie.

ST was up next, followed by...

...Max, then...

...then Alex R.,...

...and Alex M.

Smiling Nick was up next...

...followed by Coach Brandon's son Ryan.

Drew was next up...

...and he was complemented on the progress he has made since the old days when he first started to now...

...when he stands nearly as tall as the coaches (or as tall as, in one case).

Anthony was next in line...

...followed by Caden. Only Brady wasn't able to make today's celebration.

Stacy, Caden's mom, giving Jodi, the team manager, a hug while presenting her with the team manager gift.

Jody showing off the stepping stone that she was given for her garden.

Stacy and Jodi comforting each other during this emotional time.

Coach Brandon, Doug, Leonard, and John being presented their coaches gifts...

...which were these cool photos.

The coaches also got the cool little...

...personalized boxes, which contained a whistle.

Drew wiping some frosting from his face after having a cupcake shoved into him by Coach Brandon.

Some of Drew's swag for the day.

One last team photo (along with a special Dad, as Joe snuck in the back).

Drew saying goodbye to Coach Leonard,...

...Coach Brandon,...

...and Coach John one last time.