Sports have a way of forging the transition of young people through the changes during adolescence. I am interested in the formation of character that occurs within the players and coaches during this time. Hockey has a specific dichotomy flowing through it. On one side is an impressionable youth, while the other is a battle hardened (often smelly) young adult. This duality astonishes me. On the ice, these are aggressive and fast moving men with sticks and skates, but off the ice, they become curious, awkward, and engaging kids.

   As I was unfamiliar with the game and culture of hockey, I began to explore with my camera. I started working with the team at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season. I soon came to realize that this is no ordinary high school hockey team. This was a talented, well-coached, and disciplined team. As those are great assets; that same self-awareness can also be a down fall. Over-confidence has found a way, at times, to creep into the delicate psyche of this group of young men. The trials of a long season have certainly tested their convictions.

  The result of my exploration, thus far, is a portfolio of images that describe the environment and the game itself. I began to realize that still photography may not be the best method to show the true nature of these young men and their sport. Video was the appropriate way to document the experiences of the York Dukes Hockey Club.