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'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'
Spring 2006 ISSUE 8
Click here for our archive of past "Well Said" Newsletters
WELCOME to WELL SAID! - 'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'. This Newsletter, along with The Hockey Source comprehensive website, television show and product lines is part of our vision to provide you with valuable information about minor hockey so you can make sound decisions and have more fun. Whether you are a Player, Coach, Manager, Official, Trainer, Scout, Agent, Parent or Fan, you are sure to find valuable information on hockey topics.
Tryouts Spell Stress!
It seems to be that one season of hockey blends with another creating the illusion it is never ending. Teams currently in the playoffs are focused on the championship, while those eliminated start dismantling and/or rebuilding for next season. This is where teams are looking for coaches and coaches are looking for players. There cannot be, unless it involves an injury to a family member, a more stressful time for both player and parent, than that of “Minor Hockey Tryouts”.
This article appeared in the Well Said! Spring Issue in 2005. The Hockey Source Team received feedback from a significant number of readers who claimed that the content of the article better equipped them through out the process. Since the Tryout Process remains virtually unchanged, The Hockey Source Team felt that repeating the article might help an even larger group this time.
As a parent or player, you may live in an area where there is only one team, and you face the task of trying out for a spot on that team. If the number of people who want to play exceeds the number of positions on the team, the next choice may be to play for the house league program. You may also live in an area where there are multiple teams, and you know you have a choice. The hard part is that the choice comes in a very short period of time, and you can only do so much.
Whether you are skating with one team and wishing there were more choices, or you are attempting to skate with many teams wishing there were not so many, TRYOUTS SPELL STRESS for players, parents and families.
So how can you minimize the anxiety and maximize the experience?
- Decide on what is important to you as a family.
- Assess what other family activities you have that coincide with a hockey season.
- Be clear whether location of the team and travel is important in your decision.
- Establish whether you have budgetary boundaries and/or limits.
- Make a list of the expectations you have for a team and its coaching staff.
This will help you narrow the search and simplify the tryout schedule.
Here are some indicators of a possible “less stress” tryout and a potential good fit with a team:
- The tryout is very organized. Directions to players as to where they go and when they need to be ready are given clearly and appropriately. A disorganized tryout session is a likely indicator of how the team will be managed for the season.
- Families are provided with a written outline of the tryout session, which provides some information on costs of tryouts, schedule, criteria for player evaluation and expectations of what it means to make the team. If there is no clarity now, chances are there will not be any later.
- The coach and manager introduce themselves, since they are the key contacts for players and parents for the season.
- The coach has a team of evaluators helping with the selection process. This is proof that the coaches understand this to be a complex process and activity.
- The drills used on the ice appear intent on gaining a view of the skill level of the players. If the coaches cannot run a good drill in tryouts, then they will probably not get better during the season.
- The coaching staff treats the players with respect during all aspects of the tryout sessions. Appropriate demeanor is not something that should begin once the team is selected.
- The coach and manager are willing to listen to and answer any question that you pose in an appropriate fashion, or provide a very viable reason for why they cannot do so. Honesty and openness should be evident from the beginning.
- The final process of player selection is carried out professionally by the coaching staff. The coach and manager are willing to provide an overview on the entire process for the upcoming season, including transparency on all aspects of the administration and operation of the team. Such would include budget forecast and financial reporting, communication, role clarity, meetings, and expectations for players, parents and the coaching staff, season plans, player development and evaluation, conditioning and nutrition.
- You get a clear indication that player development and enjoyment are strong aspects of the program.
This is a time of the year that is trying on everyone. If you practice what you have just read, the stress will be less, and you will feel like you have some control. Be clear, be focused and be flexible. ENJOY AND GOOD LUCK!
Now, he’s a Shooter!
Jason (known better by his team-mates as J Mac) is the student assistant to the senior boys’ basketball team and helps the coach with a number of team management duties. He is upbeat and enthusiastic, and has earned the support and respect of the players and coaching staff. Jason is also diagnosed with autism.
After each practice, Jason is allowed to stay on the floor to practice shooting baskets…simply, because he loves doing it.
In the last game of the season the coach tells Jason he is to dress for the game. The coach has no real intention to play Jason, but knows he will enjoy the chance to be an active team member.
The team was winning with 4 minutes left in the game and Jason’s coach motions to him to enter the game…silence settles over the gym. Jason misses his first three shots, leaving the coach questioning himself about the wisdom of his decision.
Then like magic, Jason makes his next 7 shots. Six of them for three points each and one for two points...he scores twenty points in 4 minutes and ties the school record for most number of 3-pointers in one game.
The year is 2006.
The place: a high school gymnasium in Rochester, New York.
The central figure: Jason McElwain, a Student Assistant to the Senior Team.
Don Cherry calls it as he sees it!
Kevin V. Huhn’s book entitled “Hockey-ology, The Ultimate Guide to Fun & Success for Minor Hockey” continues to receive an increase in attention and appreciation. The kick-off of the official book tour took place in Canada’s largest retail book chain, Chapters-Indigo, at the Newmarket, Ontario location on February 19, 2006. Despite the fact that Canada’s Men’s hockey team was playing, and the local Junior A team was in the playoffs, fans came out to meet Kevin and learn more about his mission.
“For an unknown author, this session went very well”, stated Jeremy Cammy, National Events Director for Indigo-Chapters. A good indicator of achievement is receiving recognition from people like Don Cherry. Upon receipt of a copy of Hockey-ology, Mr. Cherry responded with a personal note reading, “To my pal, Kevin…great book!”
The panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for The Hockey Source continues its steady growth. The Hockey Source is proud to announce the arrival of its 17th member of this illustrious group of experts, in the personage of Mr. Rick O’Connor on the topic of Fundraising. Rick brings nearly 30 years of experience and expertise in the process of fundraising. He began his career in activities related to schools and non-profit organizations, and built his own company to be Canada’s largest fundraising firm in the industry. Rick then initiated a process to develop business with community sporting organizations at both Provincial and National Levels. From there, he joined the team at Savers Plus, and as their fundraising specialist, developed the Custom Coupon Card. Rick is a true lover of the game of hockey for its speed and unpredictability.
To help Organizations and Teams get ready for the upcoming 2006-2007 season, The Hockey Source has unveiled its new Team Management Training Program. It is the only program designed to help people in the role of Team Manager. “There is nothing like this and it is needed” is the comment that is being stated by executives and technical directors of all levels in hockey.
Similar to the elaborate training programs, seminars and materials available to coaches, trainers and officials involved in the game, the Team Management Training Program provides Team Managers with some expert training on the role, a support mechanism that is a phone call away, and all the materials to make their job easier, while saving them significant time. The whole program includes a half-day course; a customized step-by-step system (Team Management System); a 1-hour support call with one of the THS experts, and unlimited e-mail support during the entire season.
To receive more information on this new Program, email info@thehockeysource.tv.
Fast Break… or… Complete Break?
Summer is just around the corner and the end of the winter hockey season is not that far away. With that comes the dilemma faced by thousands of families and players each year, that being the decision of how to structure summer activities. Since it is an issue that is surrounded by a variety of opinions it comes equipped with more questions than answers.
Many people feel that if a child loves to play the game of hockey so much, then he or she should be give the opportunity to play the game all year-round. However, others would argue that experiencing the competition and variety of other sports is very important in the person’s overall development. What is also unique about the situation is that hockey is one of a few sports, which can actually occur in an organized and structured fashion twelve months of the year. Thus, drawing from the experiences of other sports activities is not always possible.
While all the strong proponents of either side of this discussion would have us believe “that the decision is quite simple”, the reality is that there is a lot to consider. For example:
- What does the player want to do?
- What other activities are available to the individual?
- Are these activities complimentary to the player’s hockey development?
- Are the costs to continuing hockey through the off-season beyond the family budget?
- Is the age of the player a factor in the decision?
- Should the skill level at which the player competes be considered?
- What family priorities and plans impact this decision?
Experts in the field would remind us all that improvement comes from two main ingredients.
Firstly, to become really good at something, one needs to work at it continuously and consistently. We refine skill over time, and there is truth to the adage that “repetition is the mother of skill”. And further, it could be claimed that this leads to an increase in self confidence, self esteem and overall self image. Compassion to play and compete in one sport, like hockey, while maximizing enjoyment and fun, is a great thing!
Conversely, learning and development can also regress, if the willingness and desire to absorb information is missing. The reality of burnout from “too much” of one thing is well documented in many walks of life. Each individual has his/her capacity for learning, and this capacity will vary on a number of fronts, some of which are age, sex, learning genre, and specifics of the skill set being taught. Once that capacity is reached, the opposite affects can result and development will plateau or worse, decline. Participating in a variety of activities provides a sense of freshness while being active.
Whatever the final decision - to play hockey through the summer or to take a break, it is vital that when the next hockey season starts, the player should be feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Individual development is about more than improving skills. It is about having fun and enjoying life’s experiences. Whatever the player does, and whatever activity is chosen for summer participation, the real bottom line is that he/she is doing something that they enjoy and that requires physical activity.
Products that help make your life in hockey more enjoyable.
Tired of Picking Up Pucks?
Featured Product – The “Puck Catcher”
How many times have you had to snag a player (and usually your goalie since he/she is slower from all the equipment and all the shots) at the end of a practice and asked him/her to gather up all the pucks and put them in the bucket? The easiest ones to gather up are those that got by your goaltender in the practice as they are already accumulated in the net. But why should your goalie be charged with the duty of running around the ice gathering up all of those little black circles that are so dispersed, only because he/she did his/her job…he/she stopped the shots!
And of course, why should it be even more your job as coach to do this task as the Zamboni driver is impatiently waiting for you to clear the surface?
The Hockey Source is pleased to offer the solution to all of these and similar issues…THE “PUCK CATCHER”. The “Puck Catcher” is a bucket that is really a goal net that calls for wrist shot practice to get the puck in the net…and then when all there, to simply pick up the net and walk away, with all pucks stored until next practice. No more cold hands! No more cold plastic buckets! No more frustration trying to get help!
To learn more about the Puck Catcher and the 2 FREE Super Bonuses visit http://www.thehockeysource.tv/sectionshop/shoprinkmates.php.
Reduce Playoff Anxiety
Next to Tryouts, Playoffs is the time that produces the most anxiety for all involved!
Playoffs involve a level of excitement that is simply not there most of the time during regular season. They create a level of “nerves and worry” that seem to be heightened, and without doubt, experienced by coaches, players and parents alike. It is now time to stop and take a very deep breath and relax.
At the height of emotional stress, a deep breath will allow you to think clearly. When you are calm you can see gaps or identify mistakes of others or speak with an encouraging tone of voice. When you are wound up you react without thinking, you make decisions that you might not otherwise make and you might say something that you might not otherwise say.
A simple deep breath or two or three allows you to regain your focus and be the person you want to be in any given stressful situation.
Dear valued reader - we would love to hear from you!
If you would like to comment on anything that you have read in this or past newsletters; if you have some input or opinions on material you have viewed in our website; or if you simply have some valuable information or experience you would like to share with the rest of our readers, please write to us with your thoughts at info@thehockeysource.tv .
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