My name is Clayton Amos, I live in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and I am the proud owner of every Canadian youngster's dream. The pond in the back corner of my yard is home to waterfowl and wildlife in the summer, and turns into a frozen magnet that draws friends and families together during the cool winter months.

The rink is about 1/3 the size of a regulation rink, has two vintage nets made of wood and chicken-wire from days gone by, and now has two modern official size nets to keep the pucks from going into the bullrushes.

There are all kinds of piles and styles of old goalie equipment to fit any goalie, if someone can be convinced to face the frozen rubber for the scrimmages.

The rink is also equipped with a firepit to warm up, a Canadian flag waving at center ice, a bench to serve your penalty and feel shame, and a full-time four-legged defenseman (Archie, my yellow lab) who is always up for a game of one-on-one if no-one else is available to play. The trick is getting the puck back from her before she eats it.

Most of my closest childhood friends still live in the area, so; the Cascar racecar driver, the professional sports photographer, the bank manager, and the former Flin Flon Bomber (me) get together to relive our youth and play in the "Slough Cup". The trash-talk goes year round and has already started for this March's event.

The only rules I have for the kids at my rink are:

1. If you're there first, shovel the snow.
2. If you're cold, build a fire, then get back out there.
3. Don't go on the ice without a helmet.
4. Don't put Archie in net.
5. And, when you sign your first pro contract, you owe me a Zamboni.

Clayton Amos
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta