Observations From the Rink Day 1 Recap of the 2023 Monctonian Challenge

Set It Up!

How many times do we still have to listen to coaches and hockey parents alike yell “set it up” when their team is on the power play.

Obviously, they want the team to set it up, hell everyone wants to set it up when their on the power play, but the pendulum continues to swing way too far to both sides.

Some teams/players when they “set it up” have become robotic to say the least. There’s no creativity, no individual skill or fun to the thing, while other teams and players the man advantage becomes give the puck to that player and get the hell out of the way.

It’s amazing to see great teams run their power plays, because the puck is zipped right along, and on the odd chance that’s it not the player hears about when they get back to the bench or showed on the board. That’s how learning gets done, in game feedback is critical for the growth of any player.

“SET IT UP”

Then that phrase is usually followed by a few chose curse words.

First of all stop yelling, secondly they are trying to set it up and it might not be working, and thirdly maybe the next unit needs to come because the first unit are a bunch of individuals and puck hogs.

Don’t worry you will know a great power play when you see it, it’s because your watching a well coached team that share the wealth and pass the puck.

The Best Play of the Game

The best play of the game at a U16 AAA game today was a pass. It wasn’t a blocked shot or a massive hit or a beautiful snipe show goal, it was a pass from a player that has been told throughout their career that they weren’t good enough or couldn’t keep up.

This specific players trajectory in the game is on target. They have come a long way, but in all honesty they’re in a perfect place right now because they have a coach that believes in developing players.

You see both the player and coach realize it’s not a sprint it’s a marathon. The U16 AAA level is a great place to play and continue to refine and grow a players skill set.

Everyone develops differently and at different times. Some players and people just need more time and that’s perfectly fine.

One of the best plays I saw during Day 1 was an unbelievable pass from a player that’s going to be one hell of hockey player, people might not see it or appreciate their overall game right now, but as they say time will tell.

Oh and by the way, this kids hockey IQ is off the charts. Quiet talent takes time, it takes an opportunity and the right coach in the right environment.

Why Is Everyone in a Rush?

It seems like everyone wants things to happen on their own time and in their own way. They always try to dictate what happens, but more importantly when it happens and that shit is impossible to try to control.

Things can change or evolve very slowly or in a blink of an eye.

You have no idea and you sure as hell can’t always predict or project things, when it comes to where a player is going to end up.

The kid who’s a star at the U15 AAA level right now might have hit their ceiling. The kid playing U15 AA might very well be a pro. Hell you can say the same damn thing about the U18 AAA level. The 3rd line grinder non point getter might become and blossom into an amazing two way player at the junior level and beyond, while the star forward poster child might peak in their 3rd year of junior.

As scouts we try to predict and project, but why the hell is everyone in a big rush to make things happen, get noticed, get drafted and try to force things rather than just letting shit sort itself out?

Don’t rush it, embrace it, enjoy the experience, process and keep getting better every day, work on your weaknesses, continue to build on your strengths.

Why the hell is everyone in a rush?