bday greetings!

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Theo! He turns the big 1-7 today. Woot! It seems like it was just yesterday when he was a little baby. Here's a video of him from this weekend. His team was down 5-2 when he made this penalty shot. His team ended up winning 6-5. Enjoy!

The Fathlete’s Guide to Surviving the Look Better Naked Challenge

Have a plan! Stick to it as best as you can. For example, if you’re going out to a restaurant with friends, go online and check out the menu so that you know what to order in advance. Believe me, no one notices what you order. (That is, unless you’re a vegan. or and asshole. or both. just kidding. but not really. cheeky grin.) In social gatherings, it’s not a matter of what you eat. It’s the kind of company you are.

Planning means that you’ll have to figure out what you’re going to eat for the day or for the week. Prep accordingly. I pick two days out of the week where I’m going to cook 1-3 major meals that will last me. (I get bored with food very quickly.) Pack more lunches and cook more. If you're going to a social gathering where there won't be a lot of paleo options, it's a good idea to bring at least one dish you know you can eat. Again, people always appreciate a healthy dish.

Today's Small Victories
1) I survived the Filipino buffet (sort of). I bypassed the rice, lumpia, pancit and the desserts. I did great until I realized that kare-kare has peanuts! This is my first non-primal meal since Jan 2nd. I'm not sweating it. The peanut content is hardly worth mentioning. Things could have been worse. I could be a tray of lumpia fatter!

2) Today is my nephew's birthday. I was stuck at their house alone for about twenty minutes with a HUGE Mrs. Fields cookie-cake, a pot of hot rice, and an abundant supply of bread and butter. Amazingly, I didn't touch any of these delights. Instead, I ate the salad that I packed and had a little cheese (I still do dairy. MDA says it's okay.) while waiting patiently for my sister and her family to some home. Again, this could have been a disaster. I could have eaten a cookie sandwich stuffed with rice, dipped in sourdough bread, and butter. Um, did I mention this happened after today's WOD when I was famished?! Monuments should be erected in my honor for exercising such self control!

CrossFit One World WOD
Strength-
Back Squat 5/5/5
135/155/160 (5#PR!)

Press 5/5/5
50/60/60 (I did a 70# attempt, but failed)

Stretching

Metcon-
Complete 30 wall balls for time (12#). Rest 1 minute. Repeat for a total of four attempts.

Joanne's Final Time - 1:33/1:40/2:00/2:06

Notes (to myself) about this workout: I agree with the twins... wall balls are not for the vertically challenged! I usually do 14#, but Freddy really wanted us to hit the 10' mark. That's why I dropped down to 12#. I like to think I hit most of the reps at the mark. I'm not sure. It was hard to tell because there was a rope in my way and I wasn't directly under a grey box. The key to wall balls is having a good breathing rhythm. Tonight I just felt a little off and I think my rest time was too long. I need to push next time. I also need to avoid working out next to Louie and Andy.

My press was off today. Again, I'm not into the heavy lifting as a warm-up, but I'll hang in there as best as I can.

This kid is so cool!

These photos were taken of my nephew Theo (Nikko) Tydingco. They are so cool! You’re probably looking at these photos wondering, “How the hell do you know if it’s Theo or not?” Easy. I’ll show you.


Tip-off #1: Theo’s jersey number is 97.


Tip-off #2 (and the one that guarantees it’s Theo every time): See the color of the ice? White. Very white. See the color of the kid’s face behind the mask? Brown. Very brown.

And that’s how you know it’s Theo.

(Okay, there are other things that will tip you off like the way Theo skates or the way he tapes his socks, what his helmet looks like or maybe even the pants he’s wearing. But I always go with #2. You’ll never be wrong with that one!)

the scouts are calling....

[updated to include full story]

My sister sent me this story about my nephew. The Scouting News, an online hockey magazine posted a story about Nikko. You have to subscribe to get the full story, but here it is via some magic resources!

Theo Tydingco
Can Tydingco beat the small defenseman odds?
Santa Clara Blackhawks BAA 1993 born defenseman Theo Tydingco has the tools NCAA and WHL scouts want. He is well schooled fundamentally solid defenseman who is described by scouts as a winner on and off the ice. There is only one weakness to the youngster’s game. Size. Will it prevent him from bigger and better things at the next level of hockey?

"Played this year for Santa Clara Blackhawks BAA team prior year SCBH PWAA team that won nationals," says one reliable source. "In peewee he was the best defenseman in California no contest."

This year the competition caught up with the youngster a bit.

"This year he was solid but he is medium in size (5'7" tops)," says the source who hopes the youngster grows.

Tydingco does have a lot of great tools.

"He is a fast skater, smart player, good hands, good shot and dangerous on the ice because he sees the ice very well," says the source. "Definitely will be a force this year at BAAA. Best defenseman in NORCAL in my opinion and probably top five in the state."

Tydingco comes from an excellent hockey family.

His father is described as a hockey fanatic who is easy to deal with off the ice.


This is a photo of Nikko when he turned the big 1-4.

The story cracks me up because Nikko is 5'7" with his skates on. But yes, we hope he grows too. In case you're wondering, Nikko just made it to the next round for a USA selects team. He goes to New York for those tryouts. The family is still exploring their hockey options for next year because as the article says, he is entering the next phase of competition. He starts high school in the fall and from what I gather, it's a whole new ball (or shall I say puck) game.

Outside of his hockey life, Nikko is a 4.0 student. He still enjoys coming home to eat rice and longanisa, listens to the Rex Navarette CDs I gave him, and looks forward to halo-halo in the summer (no, the ice shavings are not from the rink - ew!) and his auntie Joy's shrimp patties!

P.O.T.D.: Canadian Hockey

For some of you that actually read this blog, you'd know that my hockey-playing nephew Nikko (Theo Tydingco) was named after a Canadian Hockey player, Theo Fleury. In 2002, Canada won gold in Men's Hockey and pictured here in front is Fleury (along with Joe Sakic and Mario Lemieux). Fleury is only 5'6"! This photo was taken at the Olympic Park in Calgary. More photos to come (including more hilarious ones of Brendan!).

on Balitang America

This past Saturday, folks from TFC's (The Filipino Channel) Balitang America came to Sharks Ice at Fremont to do a story about Nikko. BIG THANKS to Azenith Smith and Joe the camera guy for taking time out to do this story. For more information on Balitang America, check them out on abs-cbn or TFC.

I'm sure Nikko is sick and tired of all the interviews I've put him through in the past week (two to be exact). He says he doesn't like interviews where he has to answer more than one question. This is because currently, Nikko's answers consist of "Good." As in:

Interviewer: So Theo, how does it feel to win so many championships?
Nikko: Good.
Interviewer: How would you describe your style of play?
Nikko: Good.
Interviewer: So, what do you think of global warming?
Nikko: Good.

You get the picture. I told him that although he may hate me now, he'll appreciate my efforts to getting him some much-deserved publicity. (Err. Umm... I hope he appreciates this when he gets older.) Anyway... here are some photos from Saturday.



This is Norbert getting interviewed in front of Sharks Ice at Fremont.



Mark: Whoa! You have an "M" on your palm Theo! It looks just like mine!
Nikko: Good.
Roy: Dude. Mark, you're not the only one in the world with an "M" on your palm.
Nikko: Good.



Nikko in front of the camera. He looks petrified, doesn't he?



Joe the camera guy and reporter Azenith Smith hard at work.

the iceman winneth

A quick newsflash... The Guam Pacific Daily News just published a story on Nikko. BIG THANKS to the reporter Alex J. Rhowunio'ng for the story. You can check it out here complete with a photo and all.

I copied the story below in case the site is down. Enjoy!


The iceman winneth
Santa Clara's Tydingco plays at top of his game
By Alex J. Rhowunio'ng
Pacific Daily News
ajrhowunio'ng@ guampdn.com
Originally published April 21, 2006

Theoren Tydingco continues to defy the odds.

At age 13, he just might be the world's only Chamorro-Filipino ice hockey player -- and he's good, good enough to be a champion. His team, the Santa Clara Blackhawks, beat the Indianapolis Racers 4-0 in the finals to win the USA Hockey Peewee Tier II Nationals April 2 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The 5-foot-3-inch, 125-pound defenseman -- the son of Norbert and Cristina Tydingco of Newark, Calif. -- lives the life of an elite athlete. He just returned from the Czech Republic and will leave for Canada in June for summer tournaments.

"Winning the national championships was an incredible accomplishment for Theo," Norbert Tydingco said via the telephone. "It capped off an amazing year of successes that included winning the Best Defenseman Award at the Bell Capital Cup All-Star Game in Ottawa, Ontario, and being named to the Silver Stick International All-Star in Port Huron Michigan."
Theoren Tydingco has played in summer tournaments near Calgary, Alberta, the past few years, and he'll spend June through early July up there.

"This year, I am going to work out more to get into better shape," he said. "I'm going to work on my weaknesses -- my backhand shot, my quickness and (explosiveness).

"Now, I lift weights, do pushups and sit-ups for my upper-body strength," he said. "I also do curls for more power in my shot."

He added that he is not lifting to bulk up but to get the strength he needs for speed and explosion, and to help keep the risk of injury to a minimum.

Theoren Tydingco was with Team USA in the Czech Republic, where he represented the United States in an international tournament against teams from Austria, the Czech Republic and Russia.

"We played about five games, but we did not really have any competition," Theoren Tydingco said matter-of-factly.

The closest game, he said, was a 5-3 win against the Russia Silver Sharks. The others were blowouts.

Despite his success on the frozen pond, Theoren Tydingco said he is "not very, very special at home."

"(My parents) don't treat me any different from my 8-year old brother, Brendan, and 22-year-old sister, Sonia," he said.

Even his friends at Newark Junior High School don't treat him differently.

"They still know me as a person, not different from any other ... just that I have a hockey background," said the seventh-grader.

Theoren Tydingco knows the importance of being grounded, and he carries that attitude into the classroom.

"I want to play professional hockey, but I keep my grades up and work hard in school first," he said.

off to Prague

Here's the official National Championship photo of the team. Nikko and Norbert are towards the left. I don't think it'll be hard to find their brown faces. It looks like the San Jose Sharks (yes, of the NHL) posted a story about the Blackhawks winning the National Championship. Here it is.

Nikko left for Prague yesterday. Earlier when I asked if he was excited about going, he looked a little sad and said, "I really wish someone in our family was going with me." It's tough because we can barely afford to send him, let alone one of us along with him. Luckily, he's with trusted family friends, so I think he'll be fine. My sister wrote this to me:

As we we're driving out of our driveway, it was just me and Nikko in the car...he turned to me and said "I'm going to miss you mom. I going to miss all of you." I looked at him and I see and feel by the look on his face that he wished one of us was w/him on this trip. I told him we would miss him so much.

I told my sister that if he plans on continuing on this path, he's going to have to get used to being away from home. It's just one of those sacrifices you make for the things you love. I hope he has a great trip and takes my advice about taking lots of pictures and keeping a journal.

He comes back next week.



Me: Hey Nikko, bite the medal. You know, like how the Olympic athletes do it.
Nikko: Huh?
Me: Just bite the medal so I can take the photo!
Nikko: (biting the medal) Ew! This doesn't taste very good!
Me: Ew! You're not supposed to taste it! (Click.)

words from the "Miracle" men

Below is a letter from Kurt Russell to the Santa Clara Blackhawks. Russell played legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks in the film Miracle. Note: Click on the letter for a larger view.





Below is a letter from Mike Eruzione to the Santa Clara Blackhawks. Eruzione was the captain of the gold medal 1980 Olympic Hockey team. As many of you may know, team USA in 1980 were known as the "miracle" team because they entered the games as total underdogs, and ended up taking the gold. Much like the Blackhawks, many didn't think much of a Northern California hockey team, but the 'hawks proved the nation wrong.

As Norbert mentioned in his note, these letters really inspired the team to pull through and play some great hockey. Although a little difficult to read, do enjoy the words from the new fans of the Santa Clara Blackhawks. I hope they inspire you as much as they did the team.





As they say... if you dream about it, it will happen. Check out this photo I took of Nikko. Okay, okay... I made him take this photo. (If you know Nikko, you'd know this was totally fabricated because like his dad, he usually sleeps with his mouth open! he he heeh!) I can't help it if I have a great sense of humor and an artistic eye. ha ha ha! In case you're wondering, these are the medals/trophies he's taken home this season. Pretty impressive, huh?

a message from Coach Norbert

Hello all,

This will be the first of a series of entries about Nikko, Norbert, the Santa Clara Blackhawks, and their road to the national championships. If you would like to listen to an audiocast of the semi-final and final games, click here. Scroll down to "Tier II 12U - Ft. Wayne, Ind. - Eastern Time." The Blackhawks played April 1st at 9am and 5pm and again on April 2nd at 11am. I'm not sure how long the audio cast will be up, so take advantage of them while they're still there.

If you would like to see a write-up report of the championship game, click here.

The team has received numerous messages of support and are still recovering from a tiring, but exhilarating experience in Fort Wayne. Below is a message from Norbert. Enjoy!

[Note: Some things to look forward to include good luck letters to the team from Kurt Russell (star of "Miracle," who portrayed Coach Herb Brooks), Mike Eruzione (Captain of the 1980 gold medal Olympic Hockey Team), San Jose Sharks Coach Ron Wilson, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. I'm also waiting for photos from folks. Finally, they should be featured in the next issue of "USA Hockey" magazine. Keep checking back for updates!]


THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

I want to thank those who posted, called, and e-mailed messages of support to our team. They were passed on to the team in the locker room before each game and they helped.

You should have seen the look in their eyes, when they were read letters from Governator Schwarzenegger, Sharks Coach Ron Wilson, Kurt Russell, and especially the one received from "Miracle" team captain Mike Eruzione.

Later in the tournament, they received congratulations and encouragement from other teams as they advanced closer and closer to the title game. Most notably from the entire Phoenix Firebirds squad who attended both the semi-final and final games and cheered loudly for the Blackhawks.

One of the most heartwrenching moments of the game came late in the third period after we had scored the goal to put us up, 4-0. Players, recognizing the fact that the game was in hand, asked the coaches to put the back-up goaltender in the game. He had played only two periods during the entire tournament and they wanted him to have his moment in the biggest game of their lives.

As the goaltending change was made with 1:50 left in the game, the crowd cheered loudly, tears of joy started to flow. You can hear the crowd in the webcast of the game.

Earlier in the season, someone posted that we didn't get all the best players, and he was correct. We got the right ones!

When their hockey careers are over -- some sooner than others -- 17 players will look back at this season and smile. I am most proud of the fact that I was there to share it with them.

- Coach Norbert "Junior Boy" Tydingco

this just in...

I'm sure you're all tired. SICK AND TIRED of hearing me gush about my nephew Nikko and his hockey career. If you are, read no further, as this is another post dedicated to my awesome nephew Theoren Tydingco (Theo to most, but Nikko to the family). Earlier today, Nikko and his team, the Santa Clara Blackhawks just won the Pacific District Championships. YEA! WOO! HOO! That's right folks! In Las Vegas, the SC Blackhawks competed against teams from: California, Las Vegas, Washington, Oregon and (I think) Vancouver. Right now, all the stats aren't posted and I don't see any stories about the games. From what I saw in the stats, for the first three out of five games they played, Nikko had two penalties (in the same game?! shame on you! you rarely get penalties!) and scored two goals. (Keep in mind that Nikko plays defense, so a player who defends and scores is a total treasure - regardless of whether he's related to me.)

Needless to say, I'm proud. PROUD!PROUD!PROUD! All weekend long we kept calling my sister asking if she got calls from Vegas about the scores. (Unfortunately, only my two nephews and brother-in-law made the trip.) Also, my mom swears she prayed a lot and that God was actually listening.



Nikko celebrates his fellow teammate score during the state championship game.

Next up for the Blackhawks is the national championship. This is definitely going to be a tough one! It happens at the end of the month in Indiana. Currently, the Blackhawks are heading back to California to their normal lives and training for the national championship tournament. Also, I'm sure the team and their families are celebrating. I know we are!

For those of you who read my previous post, I mentioned that Nikko scored a penalty shot during the California state championship game against the Ducks. Click here to see the footage. It's quick (just a few seconds long) and check out his celebration gesture. :-) In case you're wondering, I'm pretty sure that's me screaming in the background. :-P (If you know me, you'll know which one is me.)



This is me and Nikko at the local gelato place. We went there with the cutie Bren (who took the picture) last summer. Nikko swears he'll never have long hair like that again. Uh-huh. Yeah. Sure. Right. Fine. Whatever.

Nikko has had an awesome year in hockey and again, I am so happy and proud of him. The entire family is. My only wish is that my father and Norbert's (my brother-in-law) mother were alive to see their grandson shine. Nikko never met my father and although he has met his grandmother, he was very young when she passed away. I'm sure they're watching from above.

In true Joanne form, I have to mention this. For me, watching Nikko is a true delight, especially when I think about our families and where we come from. He's an island boy on both sides. Historically, people from Guam and the Philippines are often ignored, forgotten, disrespected, silenced and expected to be ashamed of themselves. I think of my father and how these factors affected the way he lived and the way he died. But there are moments - like Nikko making that penalty shot - that help remove those silences.

It's no secret that island boys don't play hockey (That's because back home, you don't skate on ice. You shave it, pour syrup on it and eat it.) and that most people associate hockey as a haole sport. But when my nephew - the captain of his team - steps on to the ice, leads his team and plays his heart out, I can't help but think of how important it is that people see someone like him do well in a sport like hockey. I see it in the faces of my family. I hear it in the voices of opposing teams who watch Nikko and constantly mispronounce his last name. I feel it when the crowd roars because he just scored a beautiful goal.

He gives our island people presence and a reason to hold our heads a little higher. This means the world to me (and to the generations of people who were denied that presence).

So anyway... we're getting ready to welcome back the boys and wish them well for their journey at the end of the month. If you could, please do what you can to throw them some good karma (light candles, chant, burn sage, whatever...) for a good tournament.



My mom proudly poses with Nikko after winning the California state championship.

my nephew: the fierce hockey player

This morning I had to wake up at 6am because I had to drive from Hayward to Newark, then to San Jose. My nephew Nikko (Theo Tydingco to most) and his hockey team, the Santa Clara Blackhawks were playing in the state championship. Knowing that I run on Filipino time, my sister told me the game started at 7:30am instead of 8am. I wasn't pleased when I arrived at her house and everyone was still getting ready. UGH!



The team huddle at the beginning of the game.

For those of you who don't know much about my nephew, he's only 13 years old. I've written about him here and here.

Anyway... I'm proud to say that Nikko won his THIRD straight STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! YEA! WOO! HOO! I have to say that I've never seen this team work so hard. They were in the game 100% and never took their lead for granted. The final score was 5-1.



The team celebrates their fifth goal of the game with only .4 seconds left.



The new state champions celebrate!

Toward the end of the second period, Nikko was chosen to do the penalty shot. After waiting for what seemed like hours, the whistle blew and he raced down the ice toward the opposing team's goalie. All I remembered was seeing Nikko speed down the ice, pass the goalie and then BAM! The puck landed inside the net. The crowd went wild! Rumor has it that Norbert, my brother-in-law fell off the bench because he was cheering so much. I was ecstatic and turned around to see my mother's reaction. I swear, the look on her face was priceless! She was banging on our good-luck noisemakers, screaming at the top of her lungs! I pointed to her and yelled, "That's your apo!" and she pointed back at me. It was so cute! I went up to my sister and bragged, "Did you see that goal? Yeah. That was my nephew!" She couldn't help but crack up! While I can't exactly describe the shot, all I can say is that it was a totally sweet goal.



Nikko on his way to completing the penalty shot.

Nikko has been getting a lot of hockey attention lately. It looks like he just might be going to Prague to play in an international tournament. Norbert decided to sell his motorcycle to pay for the trip. Times like these I wish I earned more money to contribute to Nikko's hockey fund. Nikko's relationship to this sport is truly a family affair.

During the victory lunch, Norbert mentioned the possibility of Nikko moving away to advance and develop his skills by playing for higher level teams. I can't believe we're at this point. He's only 13 for crying out loud! Norbert reminded us that Nikko is only five years away from college and this is about the time recruiters start looking and tracking players and their progress. I still can't believe we're at this point. I'm happy and proud of Nikko. It seems like yesterday he was just learning to skate and he would prance around the house with his t-shirt, underwear and skates (and nothing else) reciting "Heel, toe. Heel, toe." I look forward to seeing him succeed in whatever path he chooses. Again, I just can't believe we're at this point.

Anyway... here are some photos I took during the game. Unfortunately, it's been a while since I've done sports photos and unless we're outdoors, my camera just isn't fast enough to take good action pix. Also, I'm out of practice when it comes to sports photography (so sad - it used to be my passion at one point). I hope you enjoy them anyway:)



The new state champs head to Las Vegas for regionals on Wednesday.



Tina, Nikko, and Norbert at Dave & Busters for the victory celebration. (Note: Nikko is holding Tina's handy-dandy digital camera, where she recorded a short movie of Nikko's penalty shot. He watched himself score that goal at least ten times!

fundraising ideas?

It looks like my nephew has been invited to play in a hockey tournament in the Czech Republic in April. However, the trip is going to cost $2500. It's a great opportunity and would be a shame to pass up, but the family just doesn't have the money right now. However, we haven't declined the offer just yet. If any of you have any inventive fundraising ideas, please let me know so I can pass it on to my sister. Or better yet, if any of you want to contribute to Theo Tydingco's hockey fund, please contact me and I'll give you details on how to make a tax-deductible donation to making this island boy's dreams come true:)

-Proud auntie signing off.

Ottawa update

Hello all! This is just a quick update about the Ottawa tournament my nephew Nikko was in. As I mentioned before, he won game MVP for their first game and was named "Best Defenseman" for the tournament all-star game. The "Best Defenseman" title is an important one, as this tournament had participants from all over the world. The Blackhawks ended up winning two games and tying one game.

The Ottawa trip was bittersweet for the family because due to some controversy about the all-star game (and some other brewing issues), my brother-in-law voluntarily stepped down from his position as the team's assistant coach. As far as I know, many parents are disappointed and some are simply outraged because they know how important he and my sister are to the team. Scheduling study halls, organizing small field trips to the local sites they travel to, running practices, and of course, making time for the team to play and bond are of the many things Norbert does as an assistant coach. Right by his side is my mighty sister Tina who pulls through with a lot of the ideas Norbert conjures up (but doesn't always know who to execute). For example, she helps with their website, creates team communication books for when they go on the road, and any other project that comes up (if you look at their website, the "Happy Hockeydays" photo was designed by my sister, along with their holiday cards). It's a somber way to start off the new year.

On a lighter side, below are the photos and captions that were in the Ottawa Sun that were printed with the story about Norbert and Nikko. Enjoy!



Santa Clara Blackhawks major peewee AA coach Norbert Tydingco and his son Theoren ham it up on Parliament Hill while in town for the 7th Annual Bell Capital Cup which opened Thursday December 29.



The Santa Clara Blackhawks ham it up for the camera by doing jumping jacks on the steps of Parliament Hill on the opening day of the 7th Annual Bell Capital Cup Thursday, December 29.

Chamoru Hockey in Canada

For those of you who know me, you know that I can't say enough about my hockey-playing nephew Nikko. He's a great kid and a phenomenal hockey player who has a genuine love for the sport. His play record speaks for itself (and if you're still not convinced, just spend 15 minutes with me and I can spout off all his major accomplishments). Speaking of which, if you check out this website, you'll see a quote from Nikko (his real name is Theo Tydingco). If you click on the "video of the skate weight in action -- 4mb .wmv" which is right next to "What the players are saying," the skater in the video is Nikko!

As you can see, I'm a VERY PROUD auntie. There's just something cool about a Chamoru-Filipino hockey player that I think is fascinating. It's also amazing for me to watch Nikko grow up and develop into a great player. Granted, I do worry that he'll have hockey burnout and eventually hate the sport, but right now, I just don't see it. He has a lot of fun, takes everything in stride, and is simply not a spoiled child (because if he were I'd slap him in the head!). The family loves him, is extremely supportive and of course, is proud if him. In fact, I'm always in awe of my niece Sonia Ann and nephew Brendan because they love their brother so much that I can't recall any bouts of jealousy towards Nikko. That's true family love for you.

I always tell Nikko that if he were ever to play for team USA, that I would make t-shirts for the family that read, "THEO'S FAMILY." Additionally, I would be in the stands madly waving a Guam and Philippine flag in each hand.



This picture was taken about three years ago as well. It was during a tournament that my nephew and his team competed in. Nikko is the one in the middle with the "C" on his jersey. Yes folks, was and still is the team captain.

Just so you all know, we're not pushing Nikko to play pro hockey (he's only turning 13 for God's sake!). Whatever happens with his hockey life is completely up to him. I'm just glad that I get to watch from behind the glass.

Anyway... he and my brother-in-law Norbert are in Canada for a hockey tournament. Long story short, the local Ottawa paper wrote a story about Norbert and Nikko. It looks like they were also fascinated about a Chamoru father who wanted his son to play hockey. (I'm assuming that they were also impressed because Nikko was the MVP of their team's first tournament match, where he scored the only goal. He was also named "Best Defenseman" in the tournament's All-Star game. Okay... enough of the proud auntie moment.) When you get a chance, check out the article!



This is my brother-in-law, Norbert Tydingco. This was taken about three years ago during Christmas. Note: His eyes are closed because he's totally feelin' the music:)

Just in case the story is down, here's the full text. If you want to see the photo of Norbert catching the puck during my Nikko's first hockey game, click here (and then click on the prompt to see a larger photo). Man! I can't believe it's been that long since Nikko was a baby. Enjoy!

Fri, December 30, 2005
Visitor loves Hockey Country
BELL CAPITAL CUP: Guam native shares passion for sport with son on California club

By BARRE CAMPBELL, OTTAWA SUN

FOR HIS first 22 years on this planet, Norbert Tydingco lived in a tropical paradise, growing up on the tiny island of Guam in the western Pacific.

At this time of year there, the temperature reaches the 30s (yes, Celsius) and doesn't drop much lower than the low 20s at night.

Yet Tydingco gave all that up when he moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he fell for a Canadian obsession known as hockey.

The game means so much to him now that he's on the coaching staff of his son's peewee team, the Santa Clara Blackhawks, competing in this year's Bell Capital Cup.

While relatives and friends in Guam are enjoying Pacific breezes, Tydingco is experiencing a vastly different climate here in Ottawa.

"Well, let's put it this way," he said after his team's first tournament game yesterday at Carleton University. "I spent more time climbing coconut trees when I was a kid than I did skating on frozen ponds."

Tydingco never saw snow until after he moved to California and drove into the mountains near Lake Tahoe. It makes one wonder how a person from a place so foreign to a game played on ice could become so enamoured of it.

SHARKS FAN

In Tydingco's case, a trip to a San Jose Sharks game against the Calgary Flames got him hooked. The diminutive Tydingco paid special attention to one particular visiting player, Theoren Fleury.

"I couldn't believe that in what's supposedly a big man's game, here's this little guy about 5-foot-6 and 160 lbs. going around out there proving everybody wrong," he said. "And I was thinking, 'That's me.' "

Tydingco told his wife Christina that night that if they ever had a son, his name would be Theoren.

And sure enough, when that baby boy came along, he was named Theoren Nicholas to go along with Tydingco -- for the planned initials TNT.

Three months later, Norbert and Christina dressed their baby in a white sleeper outfit and took him to his first NHL game in San Jose -- against Calgary and Fleury. He ended up getting a puck that flew into the stands.

"I think it was (Joe) Nieuwendyk who tipped the puck and it just started coming toward us,'' recalled Tydingco.''There I was with a baby in one arm, trying to get the puck with the other."

The moment was captured on the game broadcast, and Tydingco has an image from it posted on the team's website. Wearing a Sharks jersey, he's shown holding the puck in his right hand while cradling his son with his left arm.

The Blackhawks, coached by Gary Bortolotto whose mother is from Sudbury, will try to see as much of Ottawa as possible before the tournament wraps up Monday.

But no matter what happens in the tournament, they want to enjoy playing hockey in a city where the sport reigns supreme.

"Back home, my friends in baseball tell me to quit hockey and concentrate on baseball, but I just ignore them," said Blackhawks forward Mattia Bortolotto.

He's having too much fun with this bunch.

Forward Wesley Starr, who's considered the team comedian, had a rough day because most of his equipment was left behind in California. Luckily, he has big feet and borrowed the coach's skates, a helmet from another California team here, and shinpads that were a few inches too short.

These are the kind of lifetime memories created by tournaments such as the Bell Capital Cup.

As for Theo Tydingco, he'll go into the books as the first Santa Clara Blackhawks player to score a Bell Capital Cup goal.

Despite playing with only nine skaters because some players couldn't make the trip, the Blackhawks managed to score a 1-0 win over the Ottawa Sting in the Major Peewee AA division game.

The lone goal came late in the third when Tydingco ripped a shot from the right point through traffic to score during a power play.

It was a victory for the Blackhawks and northern California.

With an assist from Guam and its coconut trees and ocean breezes.

barre.campbell@ott.sunpub.com