A Christmas Reflection: What This Year Taught Me

This Christmas feels different than any other.

When I look back on this past year, I realize how much has changed and how much I’ve learned. At the start of the year, I was dealing with something I never expected. An injury that sidelined me and forced me to slow down. At the time, it felt like turmoil. Hockey was taken away, my routine was gone, and I had no idea what would come next.

But that time changed me.

Being off the ice taught me resilience in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I learned that growth doesn’t always come from pushing harder. Sometimes it comes from stepping back, being patient, and finding new ways to improve. Watching film, studying the game, and learning hockey from a different perspective helped me understand it more deeply than ever before.

Slowing down also gave me something really special. Time with my family.

I spent more time at home, more time talking, laughing, and just being present. I’m especially grateful for time with my extended family, including my Pap, who inspires me in so many ways. My passion for scuba diving comes from him, and that experience has taught me lessons I carry with me every day. Earning my advanced scuba certification in October challenged me to stay calm under pressure, trust my training, and be patient even when things feel difficult. Those lessons apply to hockey and to life.

This year also opened my eyes to the importance of giving back. Working with the Golden Future Foundation and seeing firsthand the needs in our city changed how I see the world around me. Witnessing the impact of kindness, generosity, and community showed me that helping others is one of the most meaningful things you can do.

Somewhere along the way, I found myself writing a book. What started as reflection turned into action, and that project reminded me that even tough moments can lead to something positive if you stay open and curious.

Looking back, I realize that everything I learned this year started with a moment I thought would break me. Instead, it shaped me.

This Christmas, I’m filled with gratitude. For the challenges, the lessons, the people who supported me, and the opportunities I’ve been given. I’m thankful for hockey, for family, for growth, and for the chance to keep learning.

As I look ahead to 2026, I’m excited. I don’t know exactly what’s coming next, but I know I’ll carry these lessons with me wherever I go.

Merry Christmas, and thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with me.

2025 Recap

A Day I’ll Never Forget: Giving, Gratitude, and True Joy

There are moments that stay with you long after the day ends. The Golden Future Foundation gift drive was one of those moments for me.

I had the opportunity to be part of an event that provided gifts to more than 450 children, and nothing could have prepared me for what I felt that day. From the moment we arrived, the energy was different. Kids were excited, curious, and full of hope. Some were quiet at first, others couldn’t stop smiling, but all of them shared something in common. Pure joy.

My school, TPH, helped donate and cover gifts for an entire eighth-grade class, while the Golden Future Foundation covered an entire elementary school and middle school. Knowing that so many kids were being supported made the experience even more meaningful.

As we handed out gifts, I was met with more hugs and thank yous than I could count. Some kids wrapped their arms around me without saying a word. Others looked at their gifts with disbelief, like they couldn’t believe something so special was really meant for them. Seeing their reactions was overwhelming in the best way.

What hit me the hardest was the joy. Not the loud kind, but the kind that shows up in wide eyes, tight hugs, and quiet smiles. It made me realize how much something simple can mean to someone else. I left that day feeling something I had never felt before. A deep sense of gratitude, humility, and responsibility.

ABC News was there covering the event, which felt surreal. But even with cameras around, the focus never shifted from the kids. The attention was on them, their happiness, and the community coming together to support them. That is what truly mattered.

This experience changed how I see giving back. It is not about recognition or doing something once. It is about showing up, caring, and understanding that even small actions can make a big difference in someone else’s life.

Being part of the Golden Future Foundation gift drive reminded me that community is built through kindness, generosity, and compassion. It inspired me to continue finding ways to help, support others, and give back whenever I can.

I walked away with a full heart, a new perspective, and a reminder that joy grows when it’s shared.

To learn more about the incredible work being done, visit GoldenTate.com.

Reading My Story and Hearing Theirs

One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had so far was getting the chance to read my book, Every Position Counts, to a group of kids in my community.

Standing in front of them with my book in my hands felt different than anything I’ve done on the ice. Hockey is familiar to me, but reading my own story out loud and explaining why I wrote it made me a little nervous at first. Once I started reading, though, that feeling went away. I could see the kids leaning in, listening, and smiling when they recognized moments that reminded them of their own teams and friendships.

After reading, I talked with them about the message behind the book. We talked about how every position matters, not just in hockey, but in life too. I shared how I’ve faced challenges, whether it was learning a new position, making mistakes, or pushing through moments that felt hard. I wanted them to understand that adversity is something everyone experiences, and that it does not define you. How you respond does.

What meant the most to me was the conversation that followed. The kids asked questions, shared stories about their own teams, and talked about times they had to support a friend or keep going when something did not go their way. It reminded me that even at a young age, kids understand more than we sometimes give them credit for.

Afterward, we sat together and worked on the coloring pages and worksheets I created to go along with the book. We colored, talked, and laughed while reflecting on how the message of Every Position Counts could apply to their own lives. They shared ideas about being better teammates, kinder friends, and more helpful family members. Watching them connect the lesson to their own experiences was incredible.

Seeing their excitement and hearing their thoughts made everything feel real. Writing the book was important, but sitting on the floor coloring with them and listening to their ideas showed me the real impact stories can have. It reminded me why I wanted to do this in the first place.

That day wasn’t just about reading a book. It was about connection, encouragement, and showing kids that their role matters, no matter where they are or what they do. I left feeling inspired, grateful, and even more motivated to keep sharing this message with others.

Moments like this remind me that hockey has given me more than a sport. It has given me lessons I get to pass on, one story and one conversation at a time.