Any child rearing requires parental sacrifice. There are going to be times when mom and dad or the young person’s caregiver would truly prefer to be elsewhere, doing something he or she enjoys or doing nothing at all.
But time and time again, adults and caregivers do what is expected of them for the good of their children and dependents. It’s what has made the world go around since forever.
In an average situation, this can require anything from hours of frustrating homework to local taxi service on a moment’s notice. It can be staying home from work to monitor a fever or hosting the sleepover when it’s your turn and the big game is on.
In their hearts, parents realize there is no other way to raise and support children than to be interrupted and inconvenienced. It’s another in a series of definitions for love.
The Court House Grafs, Bruce and Cyndi, are blessed with five children. The oldest, Dan, has three sisters in Kristi, Heather and Amanda. He’s also got a kid brother who happens to be among the very finest youth hockey goalies in the country. That’s country with an “r.”
The Grafs travel far and wide to accommodate Brandon’s widely sought talents between the pipes. This spring their luggage tags included logos from Toronto to Boston to Montreal and back to Toronto.
Brandon was selected again this year to play for Team New Jersey as the squad’s starting goalie. The prestigious tournament, held June 30 to July 3 at Aston, Pa., saw the Garden State team defeat Team Michigan in the tournament finals.
Brandon was named Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.
“We had a busy spring tournament season going to Toronto twice, Montreal and Boston twice,” said Bruce. “We make sacrifices but we love it.”
Young Graf is 11 years old, stands 5-foot, 1-inch tall and weighs 110 pounds. He attends Cape Christian Acadamy and boasts a 96 grade average in the classroom to go along with a stellar goals against average on the ice.
“The Boston trip was to play for a select all star team, the Jersey Junior Hitmen,” said Bruce. “They pick the best players from Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The squads are hand picked by coaches and managers who watch or compete in hundreds of games. Those guys know of the best players available.”
Dad said Brandon also competed in a local tournament with his Comcast-sponsored winter team and brought home another first place trophy.
“We’re fortunate and honored that Brandon is in constant demand to play on many teams,” said Bruce. “We field a lot of calls and e-mails from various clubs trying to get Brandon to play for them. It gets pretty hectic and a lot of times it’s difficult to say no.”
Brandon’s winter team is Comcast AAA in Pennsauken. His coaches include former Flyer Darien Hatcher and current Flyer Danny Briere.
“He plays with Comcast from September through April in league play and competes in tournaments from Ottawa to Detroit and possibly Florida this year,” said Bruce.
The Grafs consider “anything under 100 miles” to be “local.”
Brandon stays sharp and improves his game by working with a local goalie coach often and traveling to camps in Boston.
“We are optimistic about a future college scholarship someday and who knows what after that,” said Bruce.
The One Hockey International tournament in Aston was his last tournament for the season. Brandon’s Team New Jersey won the event and he led in all goalie statistics including wins.
The Graf vehicles and luggage will soon take six weeks off and head to Myrtle Beach where Brandon resumes being an average kid with a schedule including swimming, fishing and crabbing.
Otherwise, life in the Graf household is anything but average.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
