M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Shall the Youth of Zion Falter: Face Off With a Decision
by Kelly L. Martinez

Another in a periodic series that spotlights LDS youth in the sporting world that are making valiant decisions and giving heed to President Hinckley's counsel to "stand a little taller."

Alabama get away
When I think of hockey, Alabama isn't exactly the place that comes to mind. Yet, Alabama is precisely where the hockey family of Randy Paries, his wife Kelly and their four boys found themselves as a result of job relocation in 1990.

Kyle, 20, Kam, 18, Kory, 15, and Kris, 14, have played competitive hockey since they were five years old. Kam, Kory and Kris were teammates on the same high school team this past season. In addition, all three participate in what is called travel hockey. Travel hockey involves, of all things, extensive travel.

The travel hockey teams the Paries boys are involved with play games in Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis, Knoxville, Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago and Lake Placid, N.Y. It's not just the Paries boys that travel, either. Mom, dad and the three boys make the trips together, making for plenty of family time.

Three boys? But I thought ...
Oh, the other one? I almost forgot about him.

Kyle is living in the Salt Lake area and is better known to acquaintances as Elder Paries. An accomplished goalie, Kyle opted to forgo playing hockey for something he felt was much more important. Kam credits Kyle's example as a major influence in his decision to serve a mission.

Recently, at the final team banquet of his prep career, Kam stood with his fellow seniors as it was announced what each player would be doing after graduation. Most will be moving on to college or to the next level of hockey. Kam, it was revealed, has other plans.

"When it was announced that Kam would be serving a mission, everyone already knew what that meant because of his older brother's example," recalled Randy. "Everyone realized the opportunities Kam is sacrificing. I think this is a great example of dedication and sacrifice."

Did you know …?
A little known fact (at least to those of us not in the "know") is that hockey players are not taken right out of high school into collegiate hockey programs. For a player to stand a chance at a collegiate hockey career, he must prove himself in the Junior Hockey system. Division I, II and III colleges prefer players gain a season or two of Junior Hockey experience before bringing them to the collegiate level.

By sacrificing the opportunity to play Junior Hockey, it's unlikely that Kam will have the chance to play intercollegiate hockey after his mission. No matter; he takes comfort in knowing that he is following the counsel of the prophet.

"The older I got, the more [serving a mission] became a reality to me," said Kam. "It got to the point that I thought that if I didn't serve a mission, that would be pretty selfish of me. I realized that serving a mission is something I need to do to help others that are looking for the Gospel."

Some of his peers think he's foolish for throwing away a promising hockey career, but not all of them feel this way. A teammate, after years of playing hockey with Kam, asked him for a Book of Mormon. He said 'no' … JUST KIDDING! (Bad sports writer!)

Experiences like this have helped Kam come to realize how sweet it is to share the Gospel with others.

A delayed reaction
Kam turns 19 in July, but is delaying the submission of his mission papers so that he can see his brother Kyle, who returns from his mission in late July.

Though he similarly turned down the chance to play Junior Hockey, Kyle is hoping to play on a college club team* sometime in the future. Even in his absence, Elder Paries is doing missionary work. Randy regularly forwards Kyle's letters home, via e-mail, to non-member families that Kyle grew up with playing hockey.

The Windy City
Each year, the Chicago Showcase features the best high school hockey players from around the country. This year, as well as last, Kam has been named to the Team South. This year's Showcase will be held from April 17- 21.

Up and coming
Kory and Kris have also been playing hockey from a tender age, but have stayed active in church as well. Kory is the teacher's quorum president and Kris serves as a counselor in the same quorum.

Randy, who is a certified hockey coach, is quick to advise parents to keep their children active in church and scouting activities. The Paries boys, who attend seminary regularly, are active in the scouting program during the off-season as well.

A firm foundation
Though his hockey coach often encourages him to delay his mission for a year or two in favor of playing Junior Hockey, Kam has remained resolute in his decision. That decision didn't just appear out of thin air.

"I would encourage others in my situation to find out for themselves if they should serve a mission or not," Kam said. "Pray. Ask the Lord if you should. That's how I made my decision."

*Similar to intramural teams, club teams compete against like teams from other colleges without the status of an intercollegiate program. Schedules tend to be shorter than their intercollegiate counterparts.

If you are aware of an LDS athlete that deserves recognition in Meridian Sports, please e-mail the sports writer at sports@meridianmagazine.com

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