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	This is my story. I grew up playing the game that most Canadians dream of playing, hockey. I, like thousands of others, started playing at the age of 4, and I haven't stopped since. I love the game and it's been this love for hockey that has kept me going and kept me playing.       I played minor hockey, right up until midget. From midget, I went to Jr. B in Saskatchewan. From there, I went to Div 3 in the states by the time I was 19. As a 20 year old, I returned for my last year of junior in Kindersely, SK. I finished out my 20 year old year back in Victoria, my home town. I left Victoria to pursue my career and education at the University of Ottawa. 2 months into my second year at Ottawa I chose to further my hockey career by going to play professionally in Germany. After two years in Europe, I pursued my playing career in North America and was fortunate enough to play a total of 7 years pro until being forced to retire due to an injury. I'm now 30yrs old, and can honestly say that I loved playing the game of hockey for every second that I was able to do so.       This is my story, I haven't gone in depth to explain it because it simply isn't that exciting or out of the ordinary. I tell you my story because every step of the way I've been faced with questions and situations that I simply didn't have the answers to. My career, like thousands of others, has been fraught with choice after choice, decision after decision. But, I am proud to say that through hockey I was able to make a living by playing, and I can't imagine anything better than that. This site is for all hockey players, regardless of age or aspirations. It's for all players who on a daily basis from a very young age seem to be flying blind and often flying away from where they want to go.       We hope PlayYourGame.com will give you the resources to make the right decisions. Corey Smith        This is my story. At the age of 5, I donned my first pair of goal pads. From Novice through Midget, I was fortunate to play hockey at a competitive level and with many great players. Being the son of a naval officer, I got the chance to play in Halifax, Ottawa, Norfolk, Va., and Victoria. With all my moving, I was often fighting to build a name for myself.       I played my minor hockey through, with a short stint in the BCJHL. After minor hockey, I moved from Victoria back to Ottawa to play junior and attend university. (Little did I know at the time, attending U of O would make me ineligible for a scholarship to the States.) Unfortunately, however, my junior hopes would be curtailed. I was diagnosed with Mononucleosis the day before camp. I was unable to play for months.       By the time I was well, my confidence had disappeared, and most teams were uninterested in someone they didn't know well. I hung up my pads, and I was unhappy about it. After three years without playing and motivated by an old teammate, I decided to attend camp at the University of Ottawa. I was confident I had the skills, but I knew it would be tough cracking the lineup. It was the best choice I made in my hockey career. I made the team, and I also made some great friends.       In my fifth year of university, I was cut from the team. Surely, I was disappointed, but I left the game with more closure than I had four years before. With my degree, I was ready to take on new challenges. I recognized that it was time for me to hang up the blades. But, I know I made a lot of mistakes along the way. That's why we created this site. We want to help you make the right decisions about your career. At 30, I still love the game, and I relish the chance to beat my old teammates one-on-one. Nicholas Cairns
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