J.F. was the first player that my family ever adopted through the Nailers Booster Club. This was during the 1997-98 "Season of Magic" when Coach Peter Laviolette took our team to the Northern Conference Finals. I think that season will always be special for so many reasons!
J.F. is from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and when we met him, he only spoke a little English, and our family spoke no French. To say that communications were a challenge is an understatement. Over time, J.F. became more accustomed to our language through us and watching American television shows. One of the first words J.F. learned was "cranky," which my friends told him I am. This quickly became a joke between us that has endured the years. He taught me some French (mostly the bad words!) and it was quite an experience for all of us.
During the season, we got to meet J.F.'s family and they are still among some of our most favorite people. We keep in touch and talk over the internet to each other when possible. They are the best and we all hope to be able to visit again someday.
J.F.'s career has taken him to Peoria of the ECHL, Worcester of the AHL, and he even attended training camp in Detroit of the NHL. I have managed to visit with him every year since he was traded to Peoria, and I hope that never changes. We are keeping our fingers crossed that someday he will make the show. He certainly has the desire and the skill to get there! When he does, my family will definitely be there to cheer him on!
2004-2005 Update: JF has signed with a German team in Weiden, Germany for the upcoming season. After three seasons in Peoria, two in Johnstown, and last year in Elmira, New York of the UHL, he felt it was time to move on to new horizons. He says that money and the opportunity to experience a new land and language played a big part in his decision. He still wants me to visit (shipping my car over on a boat), but I think this is going to be the first season in seven years that I won't be visiting JF and getting a chance to see him play. I'm going to miss him something fierce, but I'm sure we'll still be in contact. He will always be a part of the family!
2005-2006 Update: JF told me last season that he wasn't sure if he was going to return to Europe for one more season or hang up the skates. He was beginning to think it was time to think of doing something else and being home with his 'people.' Well, JF is now getting everything he wants. After completing an online course at an American school for firefighting, (which makes me very proud of him since he couldn't speak a word of English when we first met) he is working part-time as a firefighter and playing hockey in the Quebec league in his hometown. What more could he ask for? I'm very happy for him and look forward to the day that we can see each other again. Life certainly has worked out for him in the best way possible. It isn't the NHL as he had always dreamed, but he is happy with what he is doing and with his life, and that's all anyone can ask for. Way to go, Boots!
