I’d like to share a story that may seem small, but it has had a profound impact on my life.

I am a dog sitter part-time, and anyone who knows me knows two things about me: my favorite colors are teal/turquoise, and I absolutely love dogs.

In November 2024, I received a Facebook message asking if I could do occasional drop-in visits for their dogs who worked in Stateline at Lake Tahoe. 

They lived only a few minutes away from me, so I agreed to meet them. That’s when I met CJ, her roommate Alex, and their dogs. During our conversation, I learned they worked for a hockey team called the Tahoe Knight Monsters. 

At the time, I had never heard of the team and knew absolutely nothing about hockey. Later that night, I looked them up online. The first thing that caught my attention wasn’t the sport; it was the team’s teal and turquoise colors. I even looked through the merchandise. I fell in love with a tie-dye hoodie. It was my favorite color, and it matched the hoodie of my dog who unexpectedly passed. I was hoping to buy the hoodie, but it was more than I could afford. So I passed on getting it. 

Life moved on, and I didn’t think much more about the team.

March 26, 2025. I saw they were hosting a “Paw Night,” where fans could bring their dogs to the game. As a dog lover, it sounded like the perfect event. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anyone to go with, so I pushed it out of my mind.

Not long afterward, a guy named Tim unexpectedly offered me tickets to a Tahoe Knight Monsters game. I had cat-sat for him. Yes. I watch cats as well. Well, I wasn’t sure whether to accept because I still didn’t have anyone to go with. I asked my dad, who is incredibly busy, and to my surprise, he said yes. Mind you.. I have to literally request to see him and make an appointment where he puts it on his actual calendar. Anyways… When I received the tickets, I realized they were for Paw Night.

That evening changed everything. I went to my first ever hockey game.

I fell in love with hockey. Watching the game, seeing all the dogs in the arena, and experiencing the excitement of the fans made me feel like I had discovered something special. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was surrounded by people who would eventually become friends.

During the game, the team announced that Alex had passed away unexpectedly. My heart sank. I had only met him once, but he had been incredibly kind and funny, and I still remembered laughing with him and CJ. I immediately wanted to reach out to CJ to offer my condolences.

That same night, I ordered two Knight Monsters beanies in my favorite colors from the team store. I didn’t like the price but decided, why not. If I recall, I think any merch bought that night went towards Alex’s celebration of life. 

Over a week passed. I wondered where my order was. I realized it hadn’t been fulfilled because one of the beanies had sold out. When I contacted the Knight Monsters to inquire about it, I ended up reconnecting with CJ, who was managing merchandise. Because I don’t use my last name on Facebook for privacy, she didn’t recognize me at first. Once she realized who I was, we caught up, and I told her that if she and her husband ever needed someone to watch their dogs while attending Alex’s celebration of life, I would gladly do it free of charge.

I don’t remember how much time had passed, but I ended up watching their two English French Bulldogs, knowing I was helping friends during an incredibly difficult time. 

Afterward, CJ and her husband surprised me with tickets to another game for the future. The team was in the playoffs! I arrived, and CJ called me over to the merchandise section. Guess what? She had my beanie!!! 

Someone had returned the exact one I had originally ordered. It was still brand new and not even opened!!! She set it aside just for me. It was such a simple act of kindness, but it meant more than she probably realized. I nearly cried.

That moment made me feel like I belonged.

Since then, I’ve become part of the Tahoe Knight Monsters community. I’ve made genuine friendships, met incredible people, and found a place where my love of dogs, community, and hockey all came together.

To many people, changing a team’s colors might seem like a minor decision. But for me, teal wasn’t just a color; it was what first caught my attention. It led me to attend my first game, introduced me to lifelong friends, and gave me a community I never expected to find.

If I had never looked up the team because of those colors, I might never have accepted those tickets from Tim. My life would genuinely be different.

I’m sharing this story because sometimes the smallest things- a color, a simple act of kindness, or an invitation to a hockey game can change someone’s life in ways they never imagined.

I’d love the Tahoe Knight Monsters to embrace teal once again. To many, it’s just a color. To me, it represents friendship, community, healing, and a sense of belonging.

-Brittany Jolcover