What makes anyone stop scrolling and watch a video or reel? What makes anyone stop scrolling and read a book, article, post or story?
What makes anyone stop or drop everything and binge watch a show?
Is it relatable?
Is it entertaining?
Is it emotional?
Does it fill a void?
What does it take for people, organizations, associations and institutions to stop and take notice? Last week I spoke to a longtime hockey parent. Their story was truly remarkable. I hung on every word.
It was relatable because parts of the conversation was eerily similar to others I have heard over the years.
It was emotional hearing a first hand account of their family’s journey and subsequent struggles in the game.
The ups and downs, twists and turns, but most of all the adversity they all faced. To hear some of things that was said or not said and some of the actions taken towards to their child within the game over the years was incomprehensible.
Everyone loves a great comeback story or a triumphant story involving championship success, but let’s face it, some of the most compelling storylines are always relatable and in the game of hockey those stories are often never shared because hockey families know how dangerous the code is.
There’s always two sides to any story, but hockey families know the ramifications or consequences that can exist if their story gets out or if is told.
Most of these families have kept their stories quiet or relatively quiet for years, which is pretty damn compelling in its own right if you think about it. They have endured the struggles silently as the dreaded code would suggest.
From navigating the political side of the game, to dealing with poor non transparent coaching, reduced ice time or role for no apparent reason, or harsh judgement, criticism and scrutiny based on personal decisions where to play, these hockey families seemingly always found themselves on the outside looking in.
One can only imagine what that must have felt like trying to stick handle through all the peripheral
bull shit.
Obviously, one can’t share the details of their personal experiences because that might rock the boat way too much.
It takes so much courage to finally share their stories and in many ways that is the most exhilarating for them.
The resiliency that these families and especially the players possess is downright awe inspiring.
What makes people stop in their tracks or change their priorities, perspectives or finally pay attention to a story?
Relatability, struggle, over coming the odds, or amazing success?
Sadly the most impactful and compelling stories may never be shared or see the light of day due to the code surrounding the game and the pressure players and families face trying to conform to it.
Just like all of our favourite shows, and movies streaming online or the books we read, word of mouth is the ultimate conduit to spark interest or gain someone’s attention.
In the game of hockey, word of mouth travels at light speed causing most hockey families and players to be shunned.
The code and the click, now that’s a compelling storyline, oh the stories that could be told.
See you at the rink,
The Quick Shift 
Craig Eagles, you have great insight and you tell it like it really is! As fairly “hockey knowledgeable” grandparents, we are shocked to see that such bad actions still exist and that things have not really changed since our son played many years ago. If your child is a borderline player, then watch out…some of these so-called “great” coaches can totally destroy the self-esteem of these kids. A minor hockey coach’s role is to teach and develop. As you rightly said in another article, players don’t learn by sitting the bench. I’ll say no more because that “code” is keeping a muzzle on so many of us.
Just sign me as,
“Sad and disappointed”
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