2025: A Year In Review 

I second guess myself a lot. It might not appear that way, but I do. 

It’s like I’m back on the ice in Atom A or Pee Wee A, and Pee Wee AAA, second guessing everything and not wanting to screw up or make a mistake. It didn’t work then and it sure as hell isn’t working now. 

I have these moments or spirts where I’m fearless and fire from the hip, with my opinions, insights and thoughts, but then I get so reserved I just want to go hide or stay off the grid. Self-doubt isn’t healthy, a matter of fact it eats away at everything especially your mental health. 

At times over the past year I’ve done a lot of Parking Lot Postgames and then I stopped completely. The vast majority of it was my self doubt or trying to navigate what I want to say versus what I should say, then dealing with worrying about what people might think and lastly my old cell phone, a phone that I should have upgraded years ago. You see I don’t like change and that’s another aspect of my self-doubt. 

Evening writing this now I feel torn. Writing is incredibly therapeutic for me, but over the last two years or so I’ve almost completely stopped writing feature articles on players because I don’t want to come off as a “fan boy” or anything like that because over the last few years I’ve really wanted to focus on scouting and get dialled in on that. Self doubt has a way of leading to people trying to justify themselves, their role, their validity, insight and perspective. Over the years I’ve written a lot of articles and at times I wrote for a number of personal reasons and one of them was to feel appreciated and heard. Over the last two years, I’ve been quieter on the writing front. I realize I’ve written a lot of articles on numerous topics surrounding the game, the Q and even some articles for Neutral Zone which was great to work with other scouts from across the CHL. 

I feel so blessed and grateful to have these roles and opportunities in the game, it’s like a dream come true. 

I’m beginning to realize that my self doubt is perhaps me trying to navigate everything, but it’s only added an element of hesitation that I would like to change in the months ahead.

I reached out to my friend in late August wanting to start up a podcast, but then that hesitation and self doubt creeped back in yet again. 

I was very hesitant even last March when The Coaches Site first reached out about providing content for their site. This feeling of doubt or that I wasn’t good enough hit m like an open ice hit. 

When they reached out the second time I reluctantly considered the opportunity and decided to jump at it and it’s been great so far, which taught me a very valuable lesson a long the way. 

I’ve also been very hesitant about my scouting reports and having them not be too negative. I’ve been told over the years that I might be “too positive” when it comes to my reports so I’ve also been trying to balance that aspect of the process as well. 

Self doubt or being more reflective about the content that I’m putting out isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I don’t want to feel handcuffed anymore. 

I’ve had some amazing interactions and conversations with some amazing hockey minds over the last few years and I would love for those to continue because that’s how I continue to grow and learn, but those hockey minds have become friends which is what the game is all about, making those connections and relationships. 

The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect, but also grow and seek change. 

I had a conversation with a former student last week that caused both reflection and a focus for change. 

They asked this question, “What are your plans for this year? Any big plans?”

I didn’t hesitate. 

I replied almost instantly. 

“It might sound cliche, but to just get better.”

“Better husband, better dad, better son, better teacher and scout and the list goes on, but be better to myself.”

“I’ve realized that when I do certain things, it’s because that’s the way I’m feeling and I have to replace that feeling with exercise or something,” I said. 

I really can’t thank everyone enough for all the support on FDS, Neutral Zone, Twitter and Facebook it means so much to me. 

I hope everyone has a great 2026. 

Here’s to being more reflective, directed and driven. 

Here’s to understanding self doubt and having that lead to more self confidence.

Here’s to telling more hockey stories and showcasing the game and those players and coaches within it. 

Here’s to trying to leave the game in a better place each and every day. 

Here’s to getting better each and every day. 

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Hope to see you at the rink,