By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Carsons are glued to the TV in their Cranbourne living room … the NHL playoffs are on and theirs is a real hockey family.
Georgia, Fraser and Jenelle are three siblings with hockey pumping through their veins. Older sister Georgia, 21, and brother Fraser, 18, were the triggers for Janelle, the baby of the family, to get in to the sport.
And now the Lyndhurst Secondary College Year 10 student is hooked. In just a few short weeks, the 15-year-old goalie will be in Japan representing Australia on the world stage.
Fraser, her idol, also plies his trade in goal. He recently returned from a stint in the North American collegiate system and plays a crucial role for Australian Ice Hockey League outfit, the Melbourne Mustangs – where he debuted at just 16.
He and Georgia coach their little sister’s team, and such is the closeness of the trio, they both say they enjoy it just as much as playing – maybe more.
Georgia, a gun defender, also has a glistening playing resume to her name – having played in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League and representing her country.
The Carson kids are finally all together again for a six-month period – the first time, they estimate, in more than two years. In the next 12 months, they’ll be in Japan, Italy and Spain.
They’re in love with a sport that has a poster boy – NHL superstar Sidney Crosby – without any bottom teeth, and with a string of concussions and injuries to his name.
They wouldn’t have it any other way. It comes with the territory.
Theirs is a sport ruled by fast hands and even faster reflexes. It’s physical, but it’s far more skilful.
Jenelle wants to one day work as a paramedic, and Fraser will soon head back to the classroom to finish his diploma in remedial massage. It would be wrong to suggest they don’t have goals away from the ice, but in Georgia’s words: “When you’re out on that ice, you feel free. It’s an escape from everything”.
Fraser’s ultimate goal is to play professionally, and Georgia would love nothing more than to play in an “old timers’ league” well into her 30s and 40s.
But both love coaching younger players, like their little sister, just as much.
“One of our kids scored a goal the other day and it was like nothing in the world,” Georgia said.
“It was all of his birthdays rolled into one.
“We’re passing on everything we’ve learned from the international coaches we’ve learnt from and it’s the best feeling.”
