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'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'
2008 ISSUE 14
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, product lines and new training program 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.
Goalies the Future is Now!
When Hockey Canada, USA Hockey and other governing bodies around the world announced the changes in Goalie equipment two years ago, we shared with you a summary of what to be expected.
The ruling change related to the size of goal equipment comes into effect this season. The rationale for implementing these changes, stated by Hockey Canada is "…so playing standards are the same around the world".
A decision like this is not made by any governing body, without first understanding the impact on all facets involved - such as the manufacturers, parents, players, the rules and insurance companies. The Hockey Source spoke to a number of major manufacturers of goalie equipment, retailers of hockey equipment, and families, to get their reactions to the recent rule changes.
Here is a summary of their comments, observations and opinions:
- Manufacturers such as Sher-Wood and RBK (Reebok) said that the reduction in equipment size will not be matched by reduction in purchase prices, since the cost difference of producing an 11-inch pad, in time and material is insignificant, compared to a 12-inch pad.
- Both Sher-Wood and Reebok confirmed that their products would comply with the new dimensions, and be ready for consumers by September 2008.
- Independent retailers said they have a 2-year window to assess and organize their specific inventory, so product surplus, due to rule change, should not be a problem.
- Both retailers and manufacturers pointed out that there are several other forms of hockey that are not affected by the rule changes, and will still be potential customers of the original equipment (e.g. adult hockey, house leagues, school organizations, etc.). However, the older sizes will eventually be discontinued and slowly removed from the market.
- Parents and players were more inquisitive, and wondered if they should wait, and hold on for another season or go out and buy new equipment immediately.
The Hockey Source continues to consider a 360-degree perspective in the given situation.
Knowing that goalies and parents are now entering the season, it is usually over the next month that a decision is made whether or not new equipment needs to be purchased.
Specifically, the details of the rule changes relate to size of goal equipment, and are stated as follows:
- Height of goalie pads is limited to 38 inches.
- Depth of the goalie pad around the ankle needs to be at least 7 inches.
- Height of goalie blockers is reduced from 16 to 15 inches.
- Width of a goalie catcher is limited to 8 inches, with a limit of 4 inches from the base of the cuff to the pocket.
- The widest measurement across the goalie catcher is limited to 18 inches and the circumference cannot exceed 45 inches (a reduction of 3 inches from previous allotments.
If you just bought equipment of the old measurements, make sure you can return them to their place of purchase. You want to make sure you are compliant by the start of this season.
Create Your Circumstance!
The greatest stumbling block to achieving anything of importance in your life is circumstances. We let circumstances get us off the hook when we should be giving it everything we have got. More dreams are shattered and goals lost because of circumstance than any other single factor.
How often have you caught yourself saying, “I would like to do or have this but I can’t because…!” Whatever follows “because” is the circumstance. Successful people use circumstances to catapult them on toward their goal, while the masses use them as road blocks. A circumstance may cause a detour in your life, but you should never permit it to stop you.
George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying, "People are always blaming circumstance for what they are. I do not believe in circumstance. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstance they want, and if they do not find it, they create it."
Napoleon said, "Circumstance hell, I make them."
The next time you hear someone say they would like to vacation in Paris, or purchase a particular automobile, but they cannot because they have no money, tell them they do not need money. Your reward will probably be a blank stare with “What do you mean I don’t need money?"
Explain they do not need money until they make a decision to go to Paris or purchase the car. When the decision is made, they will figure out a way to get the amount needed. They always do.
The circumstance they are using is one of the most common…a lack of money. The real cause of their problem is lack of decision. You always attract what you need when you decide it must be done. Try this yourself today. You know the task you have been putting off "because"…Make a decision; forget the circumstance or adopt Shaw’s theory…but get it done!
THS on the Move
The Central Hockey League (CHL) has engaged Kevin Huhn, founder of The Hockey Source, as their Business Development Consultant to help them grow the League in the world of hockey. He did not waste much time with the creation of the league’s new brand – The Center of Hockey.
Kevin, through his efforts of THS has been appointed to the Executive Board of NHL Diversity – the league’s grass roots program. The big winners in these announcements are the families and volunteers in the game of hockey across North America.
The growth and operation of The Hockey Source continues with the launch of its on line training for team managers. Two years ago The Hockey Source presented its live in classroom training and received outstanding reviews. Now, it has taken the next step in training by adding on-line classes.
When is Enough…Enough?
Patrick Kane was selected number one in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Chicago Black Hawks, and he went on to be named NHL Rookie of the Year. In a recent article in The Hockey News, the pre-NHL career of Patrick Kane was documented in some detail. In that article, Patrick’s parents revealed that the financial cost for Patrick’s youth career was conservatively $144,000, with a good chance of it being as much as $200,000. And these dollars were all spent prior to his draft. As the article pointed out, Patrick made it, and so the investment by the family, in retrospect, looks both wise and minimal, given his future remuneration realities.
But is every player Patrick, and every family the Kane's?
In the article, the Kane’s admitted that Patrick was on the ice 350 days a year. That means only 15 days off a year. That makes luxury of the most meager of adult vacation plans and weekend schedules in the normal employment life.
- Current stats show that 1 in 40,000 players make it to the NHL. Based on the Kane story, that means 40,000 families could spend close to $140,000 in pursuit of the NHL dream, if they were inclined. That is a total of $5,600,000,000 dollars paid (yes – nearly 6 Billion dollars!) into a hockey dream, where only one person “makes it”. And that is just players. That does not factor in the coaches, trainers, managers, referees and scouts with similar aspirations.
- Would you not like to understand more about where these dollars end up going, and why they do not help the ratio of success be higher than 1 in 40,000?
It would seem today that the only way someone can feel achievement and success is by measuring their involvement in the activity they love in forms of remuneration received. Whatever happened to being involved in something for the sake of being involved?
The Hockey Source is presenting this issue from all sides, with the hope of cultivating some perspectives that will trigger valuable thought and reaction.
- Should the NHL entry be the only measuring stick for success for players? And at what cost?
- When does the NHL dream become a true reality for a player, and how does one ever know when a player starts to do this for him (her) self?
- What are the factors that affect this?
- Has it got to do with the Level of Play of the player? (i.e. Is this a scenario seen only in AAA Hockey, or does it exist in A, AA, House League and School Hockey?)
- Is it affected by age of the player? (i.e. Is this a phenomenon for just those at Bantam and Midget or does it exist at even younger ages?)
- Is it affected by background of the parent in hockey? ( i.e. Does a parent who used to play hockey have a more realistic view than a parent who always wanted to be a hockey player, but could not make the grade?)
- Has it anything to do with the geographical location of the family and player, or the association for which they play? (i.e. Is this something related to players from large cities or small towns?)
- How much is all of this affected by the income of the family, or the ability of a family to manage debt and all the stress related to that situation? (i.e. Do you have to be rich to pursue your child’s dreams?)
- And if the answer to the last point is “yes”, does that mean that only the affluent get to achieve their dreams…or not have to diminish their dreams?
- How much of the NHL dream is really that of the parent, as opposed to the child?
- When does the parent dream start to become the player’s dream?
But who is The Hockey Source, or anyone else, to question’s people’s hopes, wishes and dreams? One of the greatest things in life is realizing a dream; something that was first an idea, and shortly after, become part of the essence of the person.
- Is there anything wrong with a player, at any age, dreaming of playing for his/her favorite NHL Team, or National Team in the Olympics or World Championships?
- Is there anything wrong about a parent wanting success for his/her child?
- Is any of this any different than an individual deciding they want to be a Doctor or Lawyer? And who knows how much of that original dream was that of the parent, and when it really became that of the individual?
- And if analyzed, would the investment of families in any of these be any different to that of the Kane’s? (Try Medical School at $40,000/year.)
- And does it matter that some of the reasons for the pursuit of these careers are related to eventual salaries and remuneration?
- Is it not a reality that eventually, all of these individuals will end up making significant differences in the lives of others?
In all of this, it is hoped that the individual involved gets significant say in what is being crafted for him/her. This is obviously affected by age, interest, talent and desire of the individual. There should be little support for situations where individuals are following a plan designed for them, by others. Dreams are good…but dreams are personal. We are born to pursue our dreams, not the dreams crafted for us, by others.
Clearly a topic that has many sides and angles…and for which, there might not ever be a “right” answer. What are your thoughts?
Hockey Needs Humour!
How many times have we heard it said, “Let’s put some fun back into this sport of Youth Hockey”? How many of us have become concerned about the lack of enjoyment and “lightness”, seemingly, always replaced by a “win or else” attitude? The reality is there is fun and joy in winning. But few are those that always win, so enjoyment must come from other sources and experiences, when a loss in a game is the reality.
The Hockey Source is always assessing its products, including this Newsletter, and we asked ourselves, “Where is the fun and humour in this product?” We are also in constant dialogue with our readers and took the opportunity to discuss this topic with some. Based on that process, we decided to do a trial run on a new section of the Newsletter entitled “Hockey Humour”.
The success of this section will depend solely on our readers. The intent will be to present humorous short stories, antidotes, poetry and jokes as written, and submitted by The Hockey Source audience. The Hockey Source will reserve the right to accept or reject submissions based on values related to good taste and decorum. If the response is significant, consideration will be given to creating a new section in this website to display some of the creations received.
And to officially open this new section, The Hockey Source is proud to present a piece of Poetry received from one of our readers, Louise Waronek.
A Rest
This penalty box is suddenly crowded -
Two players, now three, now four;
I'm in here because I slashed my opponent,
What are you guys in here for?
"I hooked a player on his breakaway."
"I got a major for roughing."
"I was tired and didn't want to play anymore,
So I'm in here for nothing!"
Louise Waronek is a freelance writer from Regina, Saskatchewan, currently working on a collection of humorous poetry. She has also written a number of articles including a short story published in Homemakers Magazine. She is parent of a minor hockey player and can be reached at l.waronek@sasktel.net.
They Said What?
Did you know that Lou Brock said: "Show me a guy who is afraid to look bad, and I will show you a guy you can beat every time."
Did you know that Satchel Paige said: "Don’t look back…something might be gaining on you"
Did you know that Babe Ruth said: "The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club will not be worth a dime."
Did you know that Michael Jordan said: "You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them."
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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Well Said! © Fire 'n Idea Inc. (producers of The Hockey Source) 2003-2008. All Rights Reserved.
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