Numerous Sons

NUMEROUS SONS have followed their fathers into professional sports. In 2000, Brett Hull of the Dallas Stars not only proved his ability to follow his Hall of Fame father, Bobby, in the National Hockey League, he also achieved success in his own way.

Dallas traveled to Canada to engage the Toronto Maple Leafs. Early in the first period, Toronto scored and held a 1–0 lead until late in the third.

That’s when Hull, using stealth and cunning, worked free ten feet from the Toronto goal. Taking a pass from teammate Brendan Morrow, he fired the puck past Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph, tying the game.

Hull’s goal, the 611th of his NHL career, raised him past his father to the ninth spot on the all-time scoring list. It also left him only two behind former Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux as the NHL’s eighth–most prolific scorer.

Less than two minutes later, Hull passed to Derian Hatcher, who sent a shot to Morrow that deflected off the boards. The left wing fired the rebound past Joseph to put the Stars in front 2–1. Joe Nieuwendyk’s goal with a little over six minutes remaining clinched the 3–1 victory for Dallas.

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POINT Often family members make comparisons such as “Like father, like son.” In some ways Brett Hull plays hockey like his father. Both skate with intensity and have the drive to win. But Brett and his dad offer divergent styles. Fans love Bobby for his skating ability and speed. They admire Brett for his smarts, his moves, and his finesse.

We may never break huge records like Brett did by moving up the list of hockey’s all-time greatest scorers. But we can make our parents proud in other ways. The fact is, our parents gave us life and want the best for us. Following God and acting wisely are two ways you can bring joy to your family. Plus, you won’t have to lose any teeth at the hockey rink!

GOAL! Think of ways you can make your parents proud. Maybe it’s by taking out the trash or doing the dishes without being asked. Commit to God to always try to be wise.