Meet the Cyr Family

Two families, each with multiple children playing on three different teams, heading to three different cities—all for Provincials, all at the same time. If hockey is a game of skill, strategy, and perseverance, the Cyr and Tran families are proving that the same is true for hockey parents. Learn more about the Cyr family’s journey by reading our interview:

Can you introduce your family and tell us about your children?

Ulani, our oldest, played her 3rd yr u18 ravens with the A2s last year. Adelise is a 1st yr with u18a1, Quinn 2nd yr u15a1, Iyla 2nd yr u13a1, Atama 1st yr u9 jets

When did they start their hockey career?

Adelise our 09, started when she was 6. Quinn 2010 & Iyla 2012, started as soon as they were old enough, about 5. The year Iyla started, is also the year Ulani started- she was 10. Everyone thought our son, atama would be skating circles around them at 2, but we didn’t have the time & he didn’t start until 2nd yr u7.

With each child competing in a different city, how are you managing the logistics of travel and support?

With a lot of guilt & day dreaming of cloning & time travel machines.. We eventually landed on the realization that we should each go where we would worry the most if we weren’t there.

What has been the biggest challenge in coordinating everything for these tournaments?

Probably will be the week leading up. And will only be me stressing over preparations & walk throughs lol. Everyone else is pretty chill- of course until they need something they don’t have ;P I’ll try to check in often/push quality time on them lol. The week’s gonna go fast & I don’t want them to feel “left” or unprepared.

How are you dividing your time to ensure each child feels supported?

I’m grateful the girls all have cel phones we can call/video. We have pretty good teammates I can count on to help there. And I’ve actually hit up some outside friends for a support squad of where I can’t be. Hoping they can go cheer for my kid on my behalf. And my kids’ love language is food so as long as I can ensure they’re fed well, they’ll miss us less.

What does it mean to your family to have all three kids competing at such a high level?

We are very proud of our girls of course. For me high level sports are a total luxury item and my pride comes moreso from the fact that with our family dynamic, we have thus-far, been able to offer our kids to be a part of them..

How have your children reacted to the excitement and pressure of provincials?

Our youngest has your typical amount of excitement & nerves I think. Our smack-in-the-middle is pretty businesslike. Hockey will be her job that week. This also happens to be her 4th year to attend a hockey provincial so she knows the drill a bit more. My oldest playing(that quirky 2nd born).. kind of loves butterflies in her stomach lol. With all the unknowns & new surroundings, important games, she is pumped to get to the ice!

Do you have any special traditions or ways to celebrate their achievements, even from afar?

Goal/assist slurpees (Starbucks or bubble tea if they stockpile).

What advice would you give to other parents juggling multiple athletes in high-level competitions?

Don’t, lol! But if I had to… I’m not a fan of being told to enjoy it while it lasts, so I won’t say the same. Honestly, probably volunteer wherever you can. I learn things about their sport I wouldn’t normally pickup on. It’s a unique common ground bonding with your kid too that doesn’t really have words to describe it, but you’ll notice it.

By sharing this unique journey with the Tran/Cyr family, what has your relationship been like with each other?

Well, we’re kin lol! We literally share 2017s, 2012s, 2010s, but they have an 08, we have an 09 & 06. They are an awesome close-knit family we will miss every March when we go our separate ways each spring, but won’t skip a beat when we reunite in September. It’s funny sometimes that we lean on each other because we’re each so busy, but I feel comfortable leaning on them & I hope vice versa. It’s nice to have another family in the same boat when it comes to hockey which is such a demanding sport in so many ways.

What are your hopes and expectations for each child at provincials?

No injuries for 1! I’d really like our host team/child to do well. All the work we’ve put into hosting.. would be icing on the cake to play on the finals day.

Regardless of the outcomes, what do you hope they take away from this experience?

I hope they enjoy themselves & these last games with their teammates. At this age, you never know what each new season will bring.. And this is afterall 1/2 of their spring break.

How do you see this experience shaping their future in sports?

I think their future with hockey has already taken shape as of a lot of years now. Which is that hockey will be in their lives forever. They’ve known they’ve loved it for years, so this particular experience doesn’t change that. Another core memory though!