“Some Can, Some Can’t”

One of the best moments in “The Last Dance” was when Ahmad Rashad and Michael Jordan( and of course his entourage) were sharing a few quiet moments hours before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs the Indiana Pacers.

“Some can, some can’t” referring to the magnitude of the moment.

That’s how many feel about player development in the game of hockey.

“Some can, some can’t.”

Player development has been around the game of hockey forever, but the current attention around that trend is mind boggling.

Everyone is searching for the next top secret player development initiative, strategy or fix all methodology.

We all know how important growth and development is, we all know how big of business it is, but one massive takeaway from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft was where some kids were at 16, the opportunity they received and the growth and development of their identity as a player and person.

What percentage of kids are truly ready to step in at the Major Junior ranks and play?

Clearly you can punch in the numbers and look at all of the fancy analytics, but how many 16’s can contribute and log big minutes and put up numbers?

This isn’t a shot at Major Junior hockey or the route at which kids should take because every route is different and unique.

If you watched the NHL draft a few days ago it was pretty damn clear that some kids were dominant, while others were playing in obscure places at 16.

So, what’s the role of the coach and what’s the role of the player when it comes to player development and what about opportunity?

It’s crazy to think of some of these players trajectories and what led them to being drafted in the first place, but how did they get there, what mistakes were made, what’s their secret ingredient when it comes to player development and growth?

You see that’s where the opportunity aspect in all of this enters the equation.

If one could compare and contrast, which is incredibly difficult to do, because every player is different, but for argument sake, compare a player that played a shit ton at 16 and a player that didn’t at 16 the comparables are endless.

“Oh they will figure it out on their own.”

“They just need more reps at that level.”

“That’s just part of the process, they will develop more from the experience.”

All of that is bullshit especially when young players aren’t on a level playing field when it comes to opportunity.

The 16 year old that’s buried on the fourth line or playing 6th or 7th minutes on the backend sure as hell aren’t developing or growing.

“They will develop more by practicing at that level, they will be just fine.”

That’s a crock of bullshit to.

When coaches and organizations make those types of sweeping statements, they sure as hell better have the best player development coaches around to ensure the kid is learning because you can bet your arse word will get out.

You see players and hockey parents aren’t willing to sit idly by anymore, they’re too knowledgeable for open ended promises. They have invested too much time and money into the process to have the wool pulled over their eyes.

Are some of them entitled of course they are, that’s a different story all together, but many of them have their heads on right when it comes to the process of development and especially when it comes to opportunity.

Some hockey parents want to rush the process, they want to put their kids at the highest level for them to experience “those” opportunities so badly even if the kid isn’t ready, they throw them in that situation anyway. Unfortunately, they are usually the ones that start questioning the process of development and lack of opportunities coming their kids way.

There’s no magic potion or easy solution for how kids develop.

The role of the coach is critical, the role of the player is as equally important.

Players have to be willing to take ownership and accountability for their own development, they need to accept the adversity that comes their way, but most importantly they have to be willing to understand where they are and their identity as a player.

Many players these days know who they are and what is needed of them at the next level and they strive to get there. You could probably say the same about the player that have no sweet clue of their identity as a player and have been brainwashed to think they are something they’re not.

That’s where player development coaches or in season coaches should enter the fray and lay it out for them in an honest, transparent, concise way.

How much player development can be done in season versus the off season?

Why are 16 yr old players being set up to fail?

How can so many programs be promising development opportunities and still not be delivering?

The hockey world is one that is built on imitation. How can some organizations and individuals get it right while others get it so wrong?

You know what the sad reality of all of this is, this shit is happening at every single level within the game that’s the real problem and dilemma facing the hockey world.

“Some can, some can’t”!

Great player development coaches are difficult to find!