Titan's hockey story

Titan's hockey story didn't begin the way most do. He couldn't skate but a few steps.

He attended a single Learn to Skate session, fell in love with being on the ice, and by the very next month he had signed up to play his very first season of hockey in 12U. He was immediately behind many of the kids around him, but that never intimidated him. Instead, it fueled him.

Over the last four years, he has dedicated himself to closing that gap through countless hours of practices, camps, and private lessons. Hockey quickly became more than just a sport, it became a place where he learned discipline, resilience, and that hard work can overcome almost any obstacle.

As parents, one of the hardest things my husband Chris and I have ever had to do was tell my stepson that we couldn't give him the hockey season he had worked so hard for.

Over the past year, I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and underwent multiple major surgeries, including a hysterectomy and later excision surgery with an endometriosis specialist. Our lives quickly became consumed by surgeries, recovery, specialist appointments, and the financial burden that comes with chronic illness.

Because of those circumstances, Titan made the difficult move from Rep hockey back to House hockey for a season.

Many kids would have become discouraged.

He never complained. He never blamed anyone. He never asked, "Why me?" Instead, he asked what he could do to keep getting better.

He continued showing up to every practice ready to work, took every opportunity to improve his game, continued private lessons whenever we could make them happen, and encouraged his teammates along the way. Rather than seeing it as a setback, he saw it as another chance to grow.

This story isn't just about hockey. It's about a young man who chose perseverance over frustration, hope over disappointment, and hard work over excuses while our family faced one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. 

It's also about the example he's setting for his five-year-old little brother, who watches everything he does. Whether it's putting on his gear before practice, working hard when no one is watching, or getting back up after a tough game. Titan has become the role model his little brother looks up to. Today, his little brother dreams of following in those same footsteps, proving that perseverance has a way of inspiring the people around us.

This year, all of that hard work paid off.

At just 15 years old, Titan earned his way back onto the Spokane Jr. Chiefs 18U Rep team, competing against players who are often two to three years older than he is. Watching him earn that opportunity through perseverance instead of circumstance has been one of the proudest moments I've had as his stepmom. I may not have been there for his first steps, but I've had the privilege of watching him grow into the incredible young man he is today.

Thank you!!

Kati Gardner