|
'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'
Winter 2005 ISSUE 7
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 line 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, Administrator, Official, Trainer, Scout, Agent, Parent or Fan, you are sure to find valuable information on hockey topics.
Time Management – Tips to Sanity
Life’s pace in today’s world can be a challenge. For the majority of people, this time of year is the midway point in the hockey season. By now, you have found a whole new meaning to the words hectic and stressful. Being involved in this sport is supposed to be developmental, enjoyable and fun. But if you are not organized the complete opposite can often be the reality.
To help you be successful with time management in the second half of the season, The Hockey Source has a few sanity savers for you:
- Once a week, (for example, every Sunday night) sit down with the team’s monthly calendar that you hang on your refrigerator door and identify the events and times for the week (i.e. games, practices, work-outs, etc.
** If you do not have a team’s monthly calendar, then have your Team Manager visit
www.thehockeysource.tv and look into acquiring the Team Management System
-
Identify the location and starting time of each event.
- Identify departure time and preparation time. Write them on the schedule clearly and in BOLD.
- Figure out in advance the best route to get to the location (check www.rinkmapper.com). Post a printed copy of the route or a little note. It will save you time in the heat of the moment.
- Determine the mode of transportation and time of day. Write it down on the schedule.
- Identify on the calendar who will be the designated chauffeur - you or another person. Make contact with the other person at least 1 day before.
- Make sure there is gas in the tank. Based on the type and time of the weekly events, spend some time planning the nutritional schedule (i.e. when to eat and what to eat, snacks to pack). Poor nutritional planning and intake can lead to poor performance.
- Add to the schedule any equipment issues that need to be resolved (e.g. new laces, skate sharpening, stick taping, repairs, etc.).
- Players: go through The Hockey Source ‘10-point checklist’ the night before the event to ensure that all equipment items are packed and ready for transport. Arriving at an arena missing a piece of equipment is not a favorable experience for anyone.
** If you would like a copy of the ’10-point checklist,’ email us at info@thehockeysource.tv and we
will send you a copy of ‘the Player’ page from our ‘White Paper Series’ which contains tips for
physical and mental preparation along with the ‘10-point Checklist for Games and Practices’.
-
Execute the plan! Prepare in advance and arrive ready to enjoy!
Before you disregard any of these fundamentals to effective time management, remember that enjoyment and performance is increased by being in a state of relaxation and focus. Stress prevention through good organization is the key to being in that state.
If you have other Time Management Tips that you have used successfully, please share them with us at newsletter@thehockeysource.tv. We will gladly review them and post them in future issues.
Is Your Jar Full of the Right Stuff?
A hockey coach gathered his midget players around him prior to the start of the season and placed a large jar on the floor so that all could see it. When he had their attention, he proceeded to fill the large jar with hockey pucks. When he could not fit another hockey puck in the jar, he asked the players if the jar was full, and they responded that it was. The coach then picked up a container of small pebbles and proceeded to pour the pebbles into the jar, shaking the jar periodically. When he could not get any more pebbles into the jar, he again asked the players if the jar was full. They responded affirmatively. The coach then picked up a bag of sand and poured the sand into the jar with the hockey pucks and pebbles until the sand was overflowing the top of the jar. When he asked his players for the third time if the jar was full, they responded for the third time that it was.
One of the players inquired of the coach as to the relevance and meaning of this demonstration. The coach’s response was as follows:
The jar represents the season we are about to spend together as a team. The hockey pucks represent the important things in this upcoming season – enjoyment, health and safety, respect for yourself and each other, desire to develop and grow as an individual, determination to excel academically, commitment to team concepts. If nothing else happens, this will ensure that the season for all of us is successful.
The pebbles are of lesser importance such as finishing in a certain position in the standings or being the team’s MVP. The sand is everything else such being league champions or being top scorer.
Again, one of the players inquired as to the meaning of all this. The coach replied as follows:
If you fill this season with just the desire to win and being the best player (i.e. filling your jar with sand), there will be no room for the important things.
How is your jar being filled so far this season?
THS Growing and Going.
Like a snowball rolling down hill and growing in size, The Hockey Source continues to gain momentum. In its inception (August 2004), the website (www.thehockeysource.tv) averaged daily hits in the area of ’thousands’. The goal for the first six months was to reach a monthly average of 500,000 hits, which was realized in early 2005. The next target was that of 1 million hits per month, which was achieved early Fall. The TV show has received significant attention and feedback from viewers in Canada and in the US. ‘’Your show is very well done!’’, says Marc Champagne from Maine, USA. Kevin Hedley of Saskatchewan, Canada writes, ‘’Your program on skating was excellent!’’
As the website grows, so also does the Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel for The Hockey Source. The latest inductee Mr. Peter Friesen, is currently the head trainer and conditioning coach of the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. He has worked with many of Canada’s national sport teams and world-class athletes for the last 23 seasons and is now the Subject Matter Expert on the position and topic of team trainer in minor/youth hockey. In his association with the Canadian Olympic and International programs, Pete has been responsible for the institution of training and dietary standards and the preparation of rehabilitation programs and acute injury treatment. He was also instrumental in developing the national trainer’s program for Hockey Canada.
In continuing to live its mission of improving and giving back to the world of minor hockey, The Hockey Source responded to an invitation from organizers and visited the Hockey Associations of Metcalfe and Leitrim, Ontario on December 10th and 11th. Setting up a display booth in two different arenas over the two days, THS representatives were visited by hundreds of players, parents and coaching staff, who seized the opportunity to ask questions, watch the TV show and try out products.
The Hockey Source’s host and producer, Kevin V. Huhn’s highly acclaimed book entitled ‘Hockey-ology - The Ultimate Guide to fun & Success for Minor Hockey’ has recently been accepted by the family of Indigo-Chapters bookstore. It is available for purchase in all Canadian locations as well as online at www.thehockeysource.tv and www.indigo.ca.
Playing for Two Teams – Possible?
Somewhere every season there is a request for a player to play for his high school team while playing for his community hockey team. In the majority of these cases, someone walks away from the situation disappointed.
The reason for the passion behind this issue is not always easy to understand. From a player’s perspective - community hockey provides a challenge at a high competitive level of skill and high school hockey provides a level of prestige and honor amongst peers.
From a community coach’s perspective - it is a volunteer position that expends a lot of time planning, organizing and managing a season of activities to provide a means to fun and improvement for players.
From a high school hockey coach’s perspective - it is usually a teacher who enjoys hockey and volunteers his time as well with the same objectives.
So, why not experience both environments? The initial look at the situation is very favorable. Players get to play with their friends and in front of school peers in high school hockey. While in community hockey they get to play at a competitive level and challenge their skills.
However, the following questions raise concerns about playing for both teams:
- Is it possible for a player to perform at the expected high level for two teams?
- Can a teenage-player cope with the possibility of contradictory coaching philosophies?
- What happens when there is a scheduling conflict between the two programs? Which one takes priority?
- Should the other team members have any say in the situation, since there is the possibility they could be affected by the decision?
- Should the player’s academic standing be a consideration and factor in the deliberation and final decision?
- Do factors of age and skill level of the player have any affect on the discussion and decision?
- Does the cost of the program to players and parents become a factor for consideration?
The key elements for a player to consider before making a decision are:
- The ability to communicate effectively to both coaches and parents - what do you say when you are tired or homework is not getting done?
- The level of commitment to 2 teams, education and well-being - how do you manage your time to do it all?
- The respect to teammates and yourself - Are you letting teammates down if you do not show up or play less than adequate? Are you stressing yourself with guilt by playing for one and not the other? Are you short changing yourself by not giving 100% each and every time?
Since this situation occurs for most players in their teens, it is not an easy decision and requires serious consideration.
Products that help make your life in hockey more enjoyable.
The THS Product Line
The Hockey Source’s vision of ‘bettering the game, by bettering the people’ has been the sole focus in the design of the THS product line. The THS Team remains committed to offering products that both solve problems experienced in minor/youth hockey and bring positive feelings and results for the users. Our goal is to provide you with valuable merchandise that will be helpful for your role in minor/youth hockey.
The Rink Mates are the value-added problem solvers:
- The Water Source - replenish fluid loss during games and practices with the no-drip spout and quickly identify your bottle with the designated area for your number. Be safe and drink your own water!
- The Floor Pal - keep feet clean, warm and dry while changing on dressing room floors that are sticky, dirty and wet. It is flexible and easy to store in equipment bags. Most of all, it can be machine washed up to 100,000 times.
- The Power Pen - write any time and any place. It writes upside down, over water, over grease and in extreme cold. No more writing lapses!
- The Team Management System - make the complex and time-consuming role of Team Manager into a responsibility that is enjoyable and doable. It contains instruction and design on every form and process imaginable for the successful operation of any minor/youth hockey team and it comes ready for immediate use, both in hard copy and CD format. Every form is presented with your team name, season and team colours. Now even the Manager can enjoy the season!
The Signature Series are the supporting style setter:
- The THS Hat - stand out in any location. While it keeps the head protected from the cold, it will also bring warmth to the heart of the user knowing that $5.00 from every hat sold goes to support minor/youth hockey teams.
- The Signature Scarf - stay warm while you watch. Made from white Yukon polar fleece, this piece of winter wear is ‘s-o-o-o-o-o soft’.
- “Vizor” on a Visor - headwear for the days of summer. In a colour that matches any outfit, it boasts a pewter emblem of our TV and website star, ‘Vizor - your hockey assistant’. Be a trendsetter!
And finally, for the real hockey enthusiast who wants to be unique and
give back to the sport:
- The THS Limited Edition Jersey - Be part of a special group that will own 1 of 100 limited edition jerseys featured on The Hockey Source TV show. They are NOT available on the website. You can own one of these for just $99 by emailing tv@thehockeysource.tv. The Hockey Source will donate $10 for each of these jerseys sold back to Minor/Youth Hockey.
Eat Smart and Be Merry!
The Festive Season is upon us all and with this comes the increased abundance and availability of all the special goodies and snacks like cookies, candies, cake, pudding and of course, turkey dressing. Dreams of ginger bread and sugar plums now become reality. Players! It is all about balance. You have worked hard since training camp to get and stay in shape and you still have plenty of season left. So please, indulge and enjoy, but don’t overdo it.
And since this is also a busy time for a lot of teams with regards to tournaments, it is important to remember that preparing one’s body nutritionally for a tournament is very different than for a regular season schedule. Eat as close to the end of each game as possible. It allows you to replenish your lost energy effectively. Know your tournament schedule and plan your meals and snacks accordingly in order to maximize your output and enjoyment.
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 .
Enjoying this newsletter? Great! Forward it to friends! Or tell them where to sign up! http://www.thehockeysource.tv/sectionsourceknowledge/newsletter.php
© Copyright Fire 'n Idea Inc. (producers of The Hockey Source) 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER: CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW.
THIS NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Fire 'n Idea Inc. is not responsible for the interpretations made or actions taken by any person(s) based on the information provided within this newsletter. All information contained within this newsletter is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Information obtained from outside sources is referenced. Fire 'n Idea Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy or content of any information acquired from a third party (i.e., web links, quoted or referenced sources, etc.).
This newsletter may be copied or transmitted under the following conditions:
1. No modifications are made to any part of the text.
2. All pages must be included and transmitted.
The Hockey Source does not sell, rent, or give away your name or address to anyone. For more on the Privacy Policy go to www.thehockeysource.tv and click on the Privacy button.
Archive of Past Issues of "Well Said" |
"Well Said" Archive - Click to read past issues of our newsletter!
Untitled Document
|
