My magic hockey helmet
Friday, February 6, 2009 | 10:31 AM ET
Submitted by Miller Donnelly
Yesterday, we heard from Mike Donnelly, a proud hockey dad who shared the story of his incredible son's mission to bring civility to minor hockey. Today we hear from Miller Donnelly, the boy behind the magic helmet.
Bio/About: I play defence with the Copper Cliff Minor Pee Wee AA Redmen. I also play baseball, cross-country running, basketball, volleyball, tennis and golf.
My take: What a fun time I am having! I can't believe there are over 136,000 views of my video!
When I wrote it, I was very happy to have the parents from my community see it when I performed it in our school gym and Legion. I thought, at the time, that maybe if some local parents saw it there that they would stop yelling when they saw me at the rink. But now, I am getting messages through YouTube from all over the world! This is wild!
People often ask me why I wrote it. Well, I was simply fed up with all of the parents yelling at me and my teammates. They'd yell something like, "Use your head!" and I wanted to yell back "I thought I was using my head. It was just a bad play I made because I'm learning the game." Then the same guy would say, "Good game, Miller!" as I'm walking out of the arena. What's up with that? I felt that if they were going to treat me like a kid when I walked by them then they should treat me like a kid when I'm playing hockey too. And so I wrote the speech about it.
All of the attention that I am getting has been fun but it's made me very busy. The other day I had to do two live national interviews and one local CBC radio interview. In the beginning the interviews made me real nervous but I'm feeling more comfortable with them now. It's amazing how nice all of the reporters are to me.
I hope that my video continues to be shown on as many computer screens as possible. And I hope that the same level of noise continues to come from the stands but instead of yelling, I'd like to hear cheering!
The last question I often get asked is what is my next speech. Well, I just completed it on "Mothers Against Drunk Driving". They are a great organization that does wonderful things and it started by only one lady! But, unfortunately, I lost in the competition at our school and will have to wait until next year for a new topic. My little sister wrote about being the sister of a hockey player and will be representing our school at the Legion.
Thank you very much to everyone who has seen my video and passed the word around. Together we can make hockey more fun!
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Comments
Megan
Great job Miller! For such a young man you speak words that are wise beyond your years, yet you are still able to express the views and opinions of thousands of kids playing minor hockey. Congrats and keep up the great work!
Posted February 10, 2009 04:47 PM
Claude Delisle
Congratulations Mike and Miller!
I just wish that your message could be seen and understood here in La Belle Province...
If this has not been done yet, I'd be willing to help in translating it into French; that is, if you are willing to redo it in French or possibly have someone else do it, giving you proper credit, of course.
The door is open... Cheers!
Claude
Posted February 14, 2009 03:54 PM
Trish G.
Congratulations to a smart young man, Miller Donnelly; for an awesome look at what he and other young hockey players are dealing with from some parents and other "adults" at the rinks here in Canada.
Hockey "fighting & winning" has overtaken "hockey fun and learning the game".
Let these kids learn the game and have fun while playing it.
Miller you must have great parents because they are doing a wonderful job of teaching you what is important in your life.
The video should be played before every NHL hockey game.
Posted February 15, 2009 08:04 PM
Cathy Conroy
China
Was very curious when I came across the title to this clip, and amazed when I watched it. Fantastic job! I teach middle school (presently in China) and have attended some of my students games back in Canada. I have seen the magic hockey helmet in action - unfortunately. Congratulations, you have put things in a way that should make people stop and think about what they are doing, or NOT doing! Well done, Miller (and Mike).
Posted February 15, 2009 10:41 PM