T-Minus-Five Days

By Tim Harwood

After more than a week of watching the London Olympics, it’s more difficult than ever to grasp the idea that the Waterloo Black Hawks will be representing the United States in just a matter of days.

Part of the challenge might be the hours of televised beach volleyball, swimming, and horseback riding more reminiscent of summer camp than the beginning of a hockey schedule which will lead us into the coldest months of the year.  Fortunately, NBC announcer Mike Emrick has been something of a voice in the wilderness on that front.  Water polo and hockey might be cousins, but hearing the U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer behind a microphone for any sport almost certainly catches the attention of the Kings, Bruins, Blackhawks, and other hockey fans who have gotten great news from him in June during the past few years.

More than the 90-degree temperatures in Waterloo or the sports on TV that fit well with that weather, the universal support and enthusiasm that all of America’s athletes are receiving is mind-blowing when your team is about to be in that position. 

Now don’t get me wrong…I know that millions of households in all 50 states will not be clamoring for the latest updates from Omsk.  The President and the folks who design the cover of the Wheaties boxes aren’t likely to be on the phone if Waterloo is fortunate enough to reach the finals. 

That  said, there is undoubtedly a lot of passionate interest.  We’ve had thousands of visits to this blog.  Well-wishes have come in from all over, including from some of the Hawks’ fiercest USHL rivals during the regular season.  If sports fans are generally aggravated by Olympic tape delays, Waterloo fans are beside themselves with the possibility that there may be no broadcast or other means of following the Junior Club World Cup in real time (even if that “real time” is in the predawn hours).

As far as information and results, if the technology is willing, then the team will be able to keep everyone updated.  Through this blog, waterlooblackhawks.com, YouTube, Facebook, and anything else we can think of, we’re planning to have a wide variety of stories, pictures, and videos…the next best thing to bringing you to Russia with us.

As far as representing the United States and the Cedar Valley to our counterparts from across the hockey world, the idea is sinking in…slowly.  Between the time tomorrow when the final players will check-in at Young Arena and the time the plane lifts off on Sunday, the realization is going to become clearer to each player.  If the Waterloo Black Hawks bring back that sense of responsibility and pride – with or without a medal – it will be a great beginning to a hockey season which seems elusively far off today.