October in Evergreen Hollow carried the familiar bite of coming winter: crisp mornings, leaves turning fiery red and gold, and the rink lights glowing earlier each evening. For the Kane family, it was a season of milestones and quiet challenges.

Lily, now a junior at Denver, had earned a starting spot on the first line and was taking advanced courses in sports management and policy. Everett, ten and fiercely competitive, was dominating his travel team. Clara, four and full of ...