“You can’t be common, because a common man goes nowhere. You have to be uncommon.” -Herb Brooks USA Hockey Coach 1980 Being a hockey coach can be an amazing and fulfilling experience. However, it can also be a very stressful and difficult experience. Coaches are required to lead the team strategy, work the bench during […]
Words are energy. In many of our locker rooms and video rooms across the hockey world, words are often used to inspire, motivate, instill buy-in and correct hockey players. However, often coaches are not fully aware of the energetic consequences that come from using certain words. In their quest for honesty and accountability, they may […]
“Momentum favours those with intention” -Walter Aguilar During the hockey playoffs, the games become more intense as the stakes get higher. However, there are certain players who can and do rise up to the challenge. They are the difference makers; the game finishers, game savers etc.! Their ability to score that timely goal, make that […]
In any given season there are highs and lows associated with winning and losing. When a hockey team is winning, there is flow and a feeling like they are on top of the world. However, when that winning streak flips and becomes a losing streak, it can be mentally and physically draining on both coaches […]
Hockey players who have played in the playoffs know that the energy and intensity behind games becomes different. They fight all year to get there, but only one team can be the champions. These are five things that make the playoffs games unique: 1. The overall intensity is higher because of the importance of each […]
It’s that feeling you get before the game. Sometimes, it even happens during the game. You do your best to shake it off, take your mind off it, and psych yourself up…whatever it takes to not dwell on it. But, it’s there. It’s the one four-letter word you actually don’t like using or thinking about: […]
The true measure of a mindful warrior is how he responds to things that are not in his control” –Walter Aguilar Injuries are the risks that hockey players take when playing the game they are passionate about. Playing hurt with the bumps and bruises that come with playing a hockey, is a given. However, being […]
“Confidence is contagious, so is lack of confidence.” –Vince Lombardi The Merriam-Webster dictionary uses the following definitions (among others) to define confidence as: a feeling that you can do something well or succeed at something a feeling or belief that someone or something is good or has the ability to succeed at something a feeling […]
Mindfulness – being in the present moment on purpose, without judgement. Parenting is what we do, not who we are! Hockey parents are often given the bad rap of being over involved in their son/daughters hockey life. It can seem that way as they are often the financiers, taxi drivers, fans, supporters and often try […]
Heading into a hockey training camp can be one of two things; an exciting opportunity or a very stressful experience. Often, it comes down to perspective and being able to manage the distractions that can cause stress reactions. Training camps by their nature, can be stressful. It is the process hockey teams use to select […]
