What a Ride! - Todd's thoughts on the past 20 years

As I sit on the plane coming home from the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver I think to myself, How? How have I been able to do everything that I have done in my life so far.

Some would say it comes back to “Never Give up on Your Dreams” but for me it’s more about “I have Never been alone or had to do it on my own”. As most of you have already read the blog from Mom and Dad, mine tends to follow in what they have said. I have never been afraid to try anything once; I never knew how good I could be at something until I tried. I was not good at everything, but I still never let that stop me from trying. Over 20 plus years ago I went to tryout for a team that I thought I would never make, and now since those 20 plus years have passed I could have never done it for as long as I did without the support or my family, friends and community. Some may think of this as a good bye to a sport that has been my life for so many years. For me it’s not good-bye but time to see what my parents have talked about for so long.

Proud Mom & Dad

This is from two friends, a father, grandfather, mother, grandmother and "German Media representatives" who were in Vancouver last week. We met people in the Holiday Inn on Broadway the Rosedale Suites on Robson last week and cannot remember their names but we do remember when Todd was 3 or 4 and Ernie Matt was his coach in Constance Bay and we had to lift him onto the ice. When Todd came off the ice we told him he should touch the puck and he said yes twice. We remember when Kevin was 10 or 11 and trying out for the Ottawa Valley Titans and came home from practice and told us that it was too expensive for us for him to play there. We remember when Jason was about 8 or 9 and was voted the most improved hockey player in his team. A couple of years later when his previous coach called to see why Jason hadn't registered, he told him to get someone else to open and close doors. When Gordie was very young and playing goalie on the way home from a game, Grandpa Cochrane told him "You can stop all the shots but someone has to score at the other end".

Todd Elected to the IPC Athlete's Council

From the International Paralympic Committee website (http://www.paralympic.org/):

Thanks, Guys!!!

Nicholsons at the Bronze Medal Game.

If the crowd could've willed the puck into the net, we would've had the collective energy to do it.  Fans were out in full force for last nights Bronze Medal Game, Canada versus Norway.  It was a really nerve wracking game, going into the third period with no score.  The third period goal by Adam Dixon made it look like the game was starting to go our way...  then a rash of penalties, a crowd at the net, and a penalty shot by Norway tied it up.  With four seconds left in the third period, Norway scored to pull ahead 2-1 and win the bronze.

Bronze Medal Game - Gearing up for Tonight

We've got signs...

Jenn~

Game 4: The Good News is...

...Team Canada will be playing for a medal tomorrow!!!  They will match up against Norway in the Bronze Medal Game on Friday night (7pm PT/10pm ET).  At the post-game reception, Captain Jean Labonte thanked the families, friends, and Hockey Canada for their support and said they would play for the medal as if it were the Gold. 

Four of the Nicholson Gang at the Canada-Japan Game

Day 3 Sledge Hockey Summary

More Medals today for Canada

Today Brian McKeever and his brother, Robin, as a guide captured the first gold medal by a Canadian on home soil in the Paralympics.  They accomplished this in the 20-kilometre cross country race.

Lauren Woolstencroft followed with a second gold medal in the afternoon for team Canada in the women's standing category slalom race with a combined calculated time of one minute, 51.97 seconds.


Canadian Karolina Wisniewska also took the bronze medal with a time of 1:58.84.

This brings Canada's total medal count to 6 - 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze.

In Wheelchair curling Canada had it's first loss today 8-4 against Sweden and their record is now 4-1

Gordie

Day 2 of Sledge Hockey Summary

Norway 2 - 1 Italy  Preliminary Round - Group B


Canada 10 - 1 Sweden  Preliminary Round - Group B
United States 3 - 0 Czech Republic Preliminary Round - Group A
Japan 5 - 0 Korea Preliminary Round - Group A

With the results of day 2 sledge hockey games this means that the final preliminary games between Canada vs. Norway and USA vs. Japan will determine 1st and 2nd in their respective pools but these are the four teams that will be playing in the semi-finals and medal games.

Italy, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Korea will be playing to determine 5th - 8th.

I can still hear cowbells! - Game 2

Well!!!  Team Canada matched up today versus Sweden at UBC Thunderbird Arena.  Nicholsons were out in fine form again today:

Andrew, Gordie & Stuart putting up the "Clan Tartan"

Day One of Sledge Hockey

March 13, 2010


Canada 4 - 0 Italy Game 1

Norway 2 - 1 Sweden Game 2

United States 5 - 0 Korea Game 3

Japan 2 - 1 Czech Republic Game 4

In the end no real surprises of Day 1 but Norway made their game against a little more interesting than expected against Sweden as it required a shot to get the win.
 
Norway outshot Sweden 28-4 finally got the extra point in the shotout.  Sweden is Canada's next opponent on Sunday and they will have to get lots of rest and they play with a very short bench with several players playing over 40 minutes of the entire 50 minute game against Norway.
 
In the other pool US won with ease and Japan got past the Czech Republic to gain three points each.
 
Hope everyone is enjoying the coverage back home as we are enjoying the live events and sold out Canada games.
 
Gordie

Game 1 - Canada wins 4-0 over Italy

Team Canada played their first game in the 2010 Paralympic Games today at UBC Thunderbird Arena versus Italy.  The Nicholson Clan and other Team Canada families met this morning, decked out in red & white, and filled two articulated buses bound for the venue. 

Opening Ceremonies - wow, Wow, WOW!!!

The "Gordie Nicholsons" outside our hotel on the way to the Opening Ceremonies.

We are all back from the Opening Ceremonies at BC Place.  The Opening blew us away! 

Getting Ready for the Opening Ceremonies

Well just getting everyone down for afternoon naps in anticipation of a great evening at the Opening Ceremonies with begin @ 6pm PT.

Went to see the final lighting of the Paralympic torch in downtown and the excitment is building for the over 60,000 to decend on BC Place tonight.

The Opening game for the sledge hockey team is tomorrow @ 10am PT.

Cheer hard and GO CANADA GO!!!!!

Gordie 

More than Medication.com

We are so excited to share this short, but powerful, clip from Pfizer featuring Todd:

http://www.morethanmedication.com/en/home/

Share the clip with a friend, and Pfizer will donate $5
to the Canadian Paralympic Team.  Go CANADA Go!

We are undescribably proud of you!!!

Jenn

Congratulations to Jean for being named flagbearer!

Journey to Vancouver - Ottawa Sun

Everyone can read the story today in the Ottawa Sun as to the reason why there are over 50 family & friends heading to Vancouver this week to show their support for Todd.

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/2010/03/06/13140131.html

CTV/TSN/SN Broadcast Schedule

Please see the schedule below for television coverage of the sledge hockey games, daily highlights, opening ceremonies etc. The award winning documentary Sledhead will be airing during the Paralympics, also.
Todd sent this on today; the team is currently enroute from Kelowna to Vancouver...  I am getting goosebumps just thinking about the trip!!!
Jenn~

One more week (what the heck are they up to?)

"Wear Something Red..." - Metroland has for years!

There's a great article in the paper today about Sledge Hockey team captain, Jean Labonte. Check it out:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Labont%C3%A9+star+sledge+hockey+team/2634945/story.html

Although it is really encouraging to see The Ottawa Citizen's coverage of the Paralympics and KISS FMs interest, the media outlet that we have always counted on for coverage and who have been there to cover Todd and all of the local boys throughout the past 18 years has been our local weekly paper The West Carleton Review, part of the Metroland family of newspapers.

Carter & Sandra from KISS FM have joined the Nicholson Clan!

Watch CTV at noon on Sunday Feb 28

A Paralympic Preview is airing on CTV around noon today!

The Difference Makers (a post by Todd)

Hello everyone
Well, it’s finally here. It seems like only yesterday that Canada was awarded the bid to host the 2010 Winter Games. The last 6 years have flown by and as I get ready to leave to play in the games again this year I can only think back to everyone that has helped me get to where I am today.

For those that have been watching The Games, there is a program called “The Difference Makers, with Rick Hanson”. I wanted to be able to share with everyone my difference makers that have helped me get to where I am.

Chowder Cup to Vancouver or bust!!!

Well, this is my first entry into the blog before we head to Vancouver and I wanted to tell everyone about a different side of the Paralympic Games. This will be my third Paralympic games as a spectator - sure it was great to see our Canadian Sledge Hockey team win Gold in 2006, but there is more to the Games than the medals won.

Todd's Guardian Angels

Todd goes on a lot of school visits and has probably spoken to tens of thousands of school children over the years, but the school that has gone over the top with their support time and time again has been Guardian Angels Catholic School in Stittsville. Our sister-in-law and two of the littlest Nicholson Boys had the opportunity to go to a pep rally they had last week for Todd. Jolene remarked, "You should have seen the incredible work, preparation and amazing effort that they put into this assembly".

Two of the smallest Nicholsons posing
in front of Guardian Angels' show of love.

Todd has visited Guardian Angels several times over the past four or five years and they have always opened their arms to him with tremendous caring and support. Thanks, Guardian Angels!

Jenn

An Honour of their Own

We are all ecstatic about our Olympic and Paralympic athletes who are representing Canada, but we should also remember the folks behind the scenes. Or in this case, the ones on the scene - the much-loved, often-heckled Refs.

Believe it!!!

From the outset, the tagline in the media and on the VANOC site has been "The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games". This is very promising for those who have struggled to find live coverage of the games over the years, but sort of a "believe it when we see it" feeling. Now that the Olympics are underway and the sponsors' advertising has hit our television screens, all I can think is, "It's really happening!!!"

Red Mitts

For those on the hunt for the famous Red Mitts and not having much luck... Lianne was in Maple Ridge/Coquitlam/Whistler, B.C. this past week and found a sea of red:

2010 Carp Winter Classic

The Sledge Hockey team are in town this week, and spent an evening in Carp last night. The Carp Agricultural Society hosted a Meet and Greet in the Carp Ag Hall from 5 to 7pm, where a couple hundred people mingled with Team Canada players. Sumi, one of the Vancouver 2010 mascots, was even on hand to spread the spirit of the Games. At 7:30pm, the players took to the outdoor arena to play a 4-on-4 Red & White game. A huge crowd, two people deep, lined the boards all the way around and were amazed at the athleticism of the Team. Judging by the smiles on their faces, the players were having fun, some even enjoying their first skate on outdoor ice. Welcome to Carp!

Prologue - Begin from the Beginning

The last time we were in Vancouver, we took our then 2 year old son, Tyler, up to Whistler and rode the gondola to the top of the hill. It was a sunny March day and the locals even commented on how perfect it was. With 100% visibility and clear blue skies, we stood Tyler in his little Canada flag hat in front of the Vancouver 2010 flag at the top of Whistler and snapped a picture. Vancouver was a strong contender for the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler was abuzz with hope and excitement, and, four months later, they won the bid. Vancouver 2010 was born, and a few months after that, Tyler's little sister, Erin, was, too.

Tyler, age 2, at the top of Whistler in 2003, a few
months before Vancouver won the bid for the 2010 Games.