Observations From the Rink: It’s Never Too Early to Ask How’s it Going?

The team is picked, the dust has settled, some games have already been played and it’s really early, but how are the players? How do they feel? How are the first-year players adjusting to their new surroundings? What’s the dressing room culture like? What’s the leadership group like?

Now more than ever coaches and team personnel should be meeting with each player and checking in.

“Oh, everything is ok, everything is fine.”

Default answers shouldn’t never be taken lightly.

Now is the time, for coaches to get to know the player, but more importantly the person. Obviously, they know the player, but with so many spring and summer skates, relationships should have already been firmly established, but the best coaches always have an amazing grasp on that dynamic. You see the best coaches these days know the person, well before the player and they make that the top priority without seemingly trying.

With all the pressure that comes with the tryout process and high expectations and draft year distractions, elite level U-18 AAA coaches or any coach for that matter should check in at least once every few weeks to make sure their players are, ok?

With so much going on these days every player needs to understand that they are valued and appreciated, even when they are being challenged and pushed. Nonetheless, they need to know that their mental health is valued, and they feel comfortable and confident that they can talk and trust the coaches.

Obviously, it’s really early on in the entire process, but it’s time to check in, it’s time to see how every player is handling things on and off the ice. Every coach and organization wants to win and have success, sometimes the most impactful aspects of winning don’t happen on the ice at all. It’s check in time, let’s hope every coach is putting the “person” first and the player second.

Let’s hope every player is having a positive experience this early on in their season.

Let’s hope all of the coaches out there give returning players a fresh start.

Let’s hope all of the coaches out there continue to focus on teaching and developing.

Let’s hope all of the players out there are pushing themselves to be their best selves and putting in an honest effort each and every day.

Let’s hope all of the players out there come to the rink with an open mind, willing to listen and learn.

Let’s hope all of the dressing rooms are accepting and safe for each and every player.

Let’s hope all of the coaches out there will discuss dressing room culture.

Let’s hope all of the coaches out there will address and fix any issues that arise in the dressing room and not let things slip early on in that area.

Let’s hope all of the players feel comfortable approaching their coaches.

Let’s hope all of the crazed hockey parents out there relax and let their kid play and the coach’s coach.

From a player perspective, hopefully they are asking themselves some questions at the start of the season like; Is it fun coming to the rink? Am I a good teammate? What am I doing every day to get better? What do I bring to help the team be successful? What type of player do I want to be at the end of the year?

How’s it going on your team?

How’s it going with your coach?

How’s it going with your kid?

It’s early, but it’s never too early to check in to see how things are going.