Early bird gets the ice time

While most hockey fans are still dreaming of owning their very own Don Cherry suit, the Utica High boys squad is lacing up its skates for another of coach Kevin Nye's 5:20 a.m. practices.

In the wee hours of the morning Jan. 17, I pulled into Macomb Suburban Ice Arena for interviews with the Chieftains' players and coaches. As I entered the building at 6 a.m., they were already well into their practice — with smiles on the coaches' faces and no sign of the hour in the players' strides — in a session Nye described as being, "... nice to get out there and skate a little."

I am always impressed by the early morning habits of high school coaches and athletes. Whether it's swimmers, hockey players or any of the athletes who forgo extra hours of sleep for time in the weight room or on the ice, it's just one more sacrifice they make for a game.

I know its cliché to knock the "spoiled" professional athlete, but next time you here millionaires griping about whether or not they're being respected, remember the Chieftains and the countless other local athletes who roll out of bed at 4 a.m. to practice and are just happy to get the ice time.