A young player that excelled and then endured injuries comes back to the game hesitant and scared. Then potentially wasn’t fully supported through that?
Then the player in question starts going out on their own or out of their way to try to protect themselves or go on the offensive when it comes to physicality playing a very reckless and reactionary style of play never fully regaining the same level of engagement.
Player still accumulated points and contributed, but it was evident that their overall game and approach changed drastically.
The player was never really held accountable for their new style or actions and became entitled.
What happens when a player isn’t supported and then not held accountable?
The hockey world is quick to always blame the player and question things on that front, but where the hell was the coach in all of this?
This scenario is strictly based on observations over the years, but what if this is happening? Where does the player go to get support?
The actions of any coach drastically impacts the player and their outlook of the game on and off the ice.
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