Post by moosie on Jan 8, 2010 10:20:50 GMT -4
Here is a letter that Bradley Macdonalds father posted on the Rocket page about not reporting there.
Hello. My name is David MacDonald and I am the father of Bradley MacDonald. I have been following this Board over the past month, everyday, and it is very obvious that the fans on PEI are very passionate about their hockey.
I am the father of a 17 year old son, and I am very passionate about his well being, which includes all aspects of his life.... just as you would be about your children.....
There have been some comments about Bradley's problem not being "on the ice" or "that his father is the problem". So far, I have read that comment 4 times, including once last year, which have been expressed on this site (and another) each time by the same person. But that is okay, because I have broad shoulders and that is the job of a father.... to deflect a bit of criticism.....
As a father, I am willing to help my son make proper decisions and to help teach him to become a contributing member of society, through proper guidance and support. It is no different than you would do..... I do not think so, anyways.....
I sincerely wished that I was not placed in a position to write this note to the very nice people of one of our favourite places in the world, but unfortunately I feel compelled to do so.
The truth is that Bradley has so many fond memories over the years of the Island that it was one of the places that he had earlier hoped to have been drafted to in 2008. We have many friends in Charlottetown, and he still regularly talks of earlier times that our family has spent at a nearby farm, and other great attractions of the area.
Just as you would have...., As a father of a teenage son, we had many concerns of sending a 16 year old to live far away, and especially having to take his studies through correspondence courses (which he has done for most of the past two years).
Simply put, decisions were made by Bradley to ensure that he would achieve his academic goals. These decisions were made in consultation with those who he considers his most trusted advisors... including his family.
As in your families, most likely school is most imporatnt for your school-aged children, and decisions were made based on what was best for Bradley's long-term development, and possible contributions to society as a whole.
Although we are a family whose whole life revolves around hockey (or so it seems), those other "important things" are most important.
The truth is that in November, after suffering a 6 week injury caused during the third game of the season, and then immediately suffering nearly 2 weeks from the effects of the flu, and with school continuing to suffer as well because of the sacrifice necessary to play in the "Q", it was decided that Bradley would return home to ensure that he would graduate from grade 12 with the guys and girls that he started with years before.
During the time that Bradley was injured/sick, the Tigres went on to win many games and at the time that Bradley decided to come home, they were second in the League. Bradley realized that it would be difficult for him to work his way back into the lineup and (like most 17 year olds) all he wanted to do was "play hockey".
It was decided that he would return to Dartmouth so he could live at home and attend Prince Andrew High School, while playing with the Halifax Lions Junior "A" Hockey Club, with his brother (John). I am also the President of the Club.
At the time Bradley left Victoriaville, he made it very clear that he was returning to Halifax to; i) help ensure that he will graduate this year from High School, and ii) to ensure he could play lots of hockey.
He was asked at the time he left Victoriaville if he would consider being traded to the Mooseheads and we expressed it may interest us because it could also meet the two objectives stated above (and those players also go to Prince Andrew High School). Bradley had a no-trade agreement and so it would have been proper to assume that no other option would happen without his approval.
On the first day of the trade period, Mr. Savard called me and advised us of the trade. My response to him was honest and direct. I told him that we had not considered that as a possibility. I told him that Bradley would consider it, but that it really would not fit into the plans that he had committed to the month previous. I expressed that we would need to conduct some research and give it serious consideration, and that we would be back in touch. He stated that he did not want to apply pressure for us to make an uninformed decision, and he stated that he was in the process of rebuilding over the next few years, and he was really more interested in his long-term commitment. We continued to conduct research and watch some of the other transactions over the trade period, and we were in regular contact with him.
Last weekend, on behalf of Bradley, I wrote to the PEI Rocket and reinterated Bradley's earlier decision when I stated "Please be advised that although Bradley is interested in considering the long-term prospects of playing hockey for the PEI Rocket, and has completed all of his research into that possibility, he has today decided not to report to the Rocket during this year's playing season. At the present time, Bradley wishes to remain at home and complete his grade 12 at Prince Andrew High School. As far as hockey goes, he wishes to continue playing Junior "A" with the Halifax Lions for the remainder of this season."
At that point, never did we consider that the Rocket may initiate a trade to the Halifax Mooseheads. As you can imagine, I was quite happy to have him playing for the Lions (he had had 5 points in 4 games). Believe me, when yesterday's announcement was made no one was more "torn" than me.
We felt that he would achieve what he wanted to achieve (high school graduation with his friends by getting the required courses finished by June'10 which is next to impossible playing hockey in the Q... contrary to what many people may believe), and the opportunity to play lots of hockey to prepare and build his confidence for next season, while also helping the Rocket in their stated goals over the next 2-3 seasons. He was fully prepared to report next season, and that was clearly stated in my letter last weekend.
Now, make no mistake about it, when the announcement was made that Bradley was traded to the Mooseheads, he was thoroughly moved.
Our family had been season tickets for years and years, ever since they arrived in town. I remember carrying him out of the Metro Centre many nights sleeping on my shoulder (as a toddler). No one danced harder during the "Bust-A-Moose" contests. No one cried more when they lost. He grew up wearing Moosehead t-shirts, jerseys, jackets, watches, hats, scarfs, etc.
Bradley truly is thankful to Mr. Savard for trading him to Halifax because it does enable him to meet his stated goals for this year, but it was never requested by us, nor did Bradley (or anyone on his behalf) state that he would only report to the Mooseheads.
Thank you for the time that you have spent reading this message, and thank-you for the passion that you all display for the benefit of this League and its players here in Atlantic Canada.
I just thought that you were entitled to know exactly how this all came about, and to know that Bradley's intentions were not to show any disrespect to the fans in PEI, but rather to express to you that he was only following through on his earlier decisions made prior to the trade to PEI.
Sincerely,
David MacDonald
Hello. My name is David MacDonald and I am the father of Bradley MacDonald. I have been following this Board over the past month, everyday, and it is very obvious that the fans on PEI are very passionate about their hockey.
I am the father of a 17 year old son, and I am very passionate about his well being, which includes all aspects of his life.... just as you would be about your children.....
There have been some comments about Bradley's problem not being "on the ice" or "that his father is the problem". So far, I have read that comment 4 times, including once last year, which have been expressed on this site (and another) each time by the same person. But that is okay, because I have broad shoulders and that is the job of a father.... to deflect a bit of criticism.....
As a father, I am willing to help my son make proper decisions and to help teach him to become a contributing member of society, through proper guidance and support. It is no different than you would do..... I do not think so, anyways.....
I sincerely wished that I was not placed in a position to write this note to the very nice people of one of our favourite places in the world, but unfortunately I feel compelled to do so.
The truth is that Bradley has so many fond memories over the years of the Island that it was one of the places that he had earlier hoped to have been drafted to in 2008. We have many friends in Charlottetown, and he still regularly talks of earlier times that our family has spent at a nearby farm, and other great attractions of the area.
Just as you would have...., As a father of a teenage son, we had many concerns of sending a 16 year old to live far away, and especially having to take his studies through correspondence courses (which he has done for most of the past two years).
Simply put, decisions were made by Bradley to ensure that he would achieve his academic goals. These decisions were made in consultation with those who he considers his most trusted advisors... including his family.
As in your families, most likely school is most imporatnt for your school-aged children, and decisions were made based on what was best for Bradley's long-term development, and possible contributions to society as a whole.
Although we are a family whose whole life revolves around hockey (or so it seems), those other "important things" are most important.
The truth is that in November, after suffering a 6 week injury caused during the third game of the season, and then immediately suffering nearly 2 weeks from the effects of the flu, and with school continuing to suffer as well because of the sacrifice necessary to play in the "Q", it was decided that Bradley would return home to ensure that he would graduate from grade 12 with the guys and girls that he started with years before.
During the time that Bradley was injured/sick, the Tigres went on to win many games and at the time that Bradley decided to come home, they were second in the League. Bradley realized that it would be difficult for him to work his way back into the lineup and (like most 17 year olds) all he wanted to do was "play hockey".
It was decided that he would return to Dartmouth so he could live at home and attend Prince Andrew High School, while playing with the Halifax Lions Junior "A" Hockey Club, with his brother (John). I am also the President of the Club.
At the time Bradley left Victoriaville, he made it very clear that he was returning to Halifax to; i) help ensure that he will graduate this year from High School, and ii) to ensure he could play lots of hockey.
He was asked at the time he left Victoriaville if he would consider being traded to the Mooseheads and we expressed it may interest us because it could also meet the two objectives stated above (and those players also go to Prince Andrew High School). Bradley had a no-trade agreement and so it would have been proper to assume that no other option would happen without his approval.
On the first day of the trade period, Mr. Savard called me and advised us of the trade. My response to him was honest and direct. I told him that we had not considered that as a possibility. I told him that Bradley would consider it, but that it really would not fit into the plans that he had committed to the month previous. I expressed that we would need to conduct some research and give it serious consideration, and that we would be back in touch. He stated that he did not want to apply pressure for us to make an uninformed decision, and he stated that he was in the process of rebuilding over the next few years, and he was really more interested in his long-term commitment. We continued to conduct research and watch some of the other transactions over the trade period, and we were in regular contact with him.
Last weekend, on behalf of Bradley, I wrote to the PEI Rocket and reinterated Bradley's earlier decision when I stated "Please be advised that although Bradley is interested in considering the long-term prospects of playing hockey for the PEI Rocket, and has completed all of his research into that possibility, he has today decided not to report to the Rocket during this year's playing season. At the present time, Bradley wishes to remain at home and complete his grade 12 at Prince Andrew High School. As far as hockey goes, he wishes to continue playing Junior "A" with the Halifax Lions for the remainder of this season."
At that point, never did we consider that the Rocket may initiate a trade to the Halifax Mooseheads. As you can imagine, I was quite happy to have him playing for the Lions (he had had 5 points in 4 games). Believe me, when yesterday's announcement was made no one was more "torn" than me.
We felt that he would achieve what he wanted to achieve (high school graduation with his friends by getting the required courses finished by June'10 which is next to impossible playing hockey in the Q... contrary to what many people may believe), and the opportunity to play lots of hockey to prepare and build his confidence for next season, while also helping the Rocket in their stated goals over the next 2-3 seasons. He was fully prepared to report next season, and that was clearly stated in my letter last weekend.
Now, make no mistake about it, when the announcement was made that Bradley was traded to the Mooseheads, he was thoroughly moved.
Our family had been season tickets for years and years, ever since they arrived in town. I remember carrying him out of the Metro Centre many nights sleeping on my shoulder (as a toddler). No one danced harder during the "Bust-A-Moose" contests. No one cried more when they lost. He grew up wearing Moosehead t-shirts, jerseys, jackets, watches, hats, scarfs, etc.
Bradley truly is thankful to Mr. Savard for trading him to Halifax because it does enable him to meet his stated goals for this year, but it was never requested by us, nor did Bradley (or anyone on his behalf) state that he would only report to the Mooseheads.
Thank you for the time that you have spent reading this message, and thank-you for the passion that you all display for the benefit of this League and its players here in Atlantic Canada.
I just thought that you were entitled to know exactly how this all came about, and to know that Bradley's intentions were not to show any disrespect to the fans in PEI, but rather to express to you that he was only following through on his earlier decisions made prior to the trade to PEI.
Sincerely,
David MacDonald
