The Player In The Arena

The Player In The Arena

Darrell Hay
Published on: 23/07/2026

A reflection on Theodore Roosevelt's famous Man in the Arena speech and the lessons competition, leadership, parenting, and sport teach us about courage, humility, growth, and perspective.

coachingpersonal storiesparenting
Not a Bucket List: Just Things I’d Still Like to Say Yes To

Not a Bucket List: Just Things I’d Still Like to Say Yes To

Darrell Hay
Published on: 09/07/2026

A personal look at the dreams that still call—baseball, motorcycles, fly fishing, music, dogs, and the life waiting beyond the rink.

dhhdpersonal stories
This Is What Canada Felt Like

This Is What Canada Felt Like

Darrell Hay
Published on: 01/07/2026

A reflective Canada Day blog on growing up Canadian through Hockey Night in Canada, The Tragically Hip, Wayne Gretzky, Terry Fox, and the shared moments that made the country feel like one living room.

dhhdbehind the gamepersonal storiesoff ice
Leaving the Living Room

Leaving the Living Room

Darrell Hay
Published on: 01/07/2026

From bus rides in the ECHL and AHL to building a family in Idaho, this story reflects on hockey, identity, family, and how a kid from Kamloops, B.C. found home in America

dhhdbehind the gamepersonal storiesoff ice