Observations from the Rink: A lot of young players are becoming subtly selfish, they see the open man and neglect to move the puck, not sure if it’s about the stat sheet or trying to get noticed, either way they are getting noticed for all the wrong reasons
#PasstheDamnPuck
It doesn’t matter how much talent you think you have or who the coach is, if you have a team dominated by entitled players you won’t be successful
#CharacterMatters
Observations From the Rink:
Just wondering how many times a coach pulled a player aside this year and told them how proud they were of their performance and effort, it really doesn’t matter what level, the smallest unexpected comments usually have the largest impact
Being released from a
@QMJHL
Camp is devastating and perhaps the first time in a player’s life that they have been cut
Being let go doesn’t mean your not good enough, it just means you’re not ready yet.
Don’t lose sight of your goal and dream, your time will come
Keep working!
Observations From the Rink:
Constantly over-handling the puck, never passing it in the offensive zone and taking awful shots from the perimeter isn’t creativity or offensive upside, it’s called selfish and entitled
#PasstheDamnPuck
Observations From the Rink: The kid that isn’t flashy but plays a gritty in your face style of game is no doubt better prepared for the next level than the one dimensional offensive kid who tries to toe drag around the entire team
“I knew I was ruining my life and my dreams, I couldn’t figure out what the hell
I was doing, I was lost.” The last place
@andymacdonald91
ever thought he would end up was a dark hole. From the darkness to the light
A Dark Time 👉
@ABTitan
#MentalHealth
There’s a future Jr, College and Pro playing on a AAA Minor, AA or A team right now. All they need is someone to believe in them and give them a chance, It shouldn’t be about the “extra A”, it's all about who the player and person is and how they grow and develop
#Potential
It isn’t difficult to see which players are chasing the stat sheet, they cheat nonstop, reluctant to engage in battles, overhandle pucks, stay on the ice way too long and are selfish on the power play, they’re skilled but if they just played the right way, the points would come
Call it hockey IQ, or whatever the hell you want, but players that pass early on 2-1’s jump off the page, Passing early creates so many more options, So many players hesitate, never pass, take poor shots, or run out of room,
#PassEarly
Healthy scratching a kid for an extended period of time without explaining why and not giving them an opportunity to perhaps “redeem” themselves doesn’t send a message, it’s sets a piss poor precedence
#CommunicationMatters
Observations From the Rink: You can have all the skill in the world, if you don’t play as a group and work hard you won’t go anywhere, character and compete means everything
Here’s to all the penalty killers, blocking shots, skating their arse off, pressuring the puck, stopping and starting like crazy, taking a hit to make the play You want to know who the heart and soul players are on any team, look for the 4 players to jump over the boards on a PK
Speed is a phenomenal asset, but it’s easily neutralized by an unwillingness to pass the puck
How many times does a player have to skate into trouble or stay on the outside and not generate anything or turn pucks over without being corrected or held accountable?
#PassThePuck
Being released from a
@QMJHL
Camp is devastating and perhaps the first time in a player’s life that they have been cut Being let go doesn’t mean you’re not good enough, it might mean you’re not ready yet. Don’t lose sight of your goal and dream, your time will come Keep working!
Hard to understand how some people like, quote tweet and comment on young players getting released from
@QMJHL
Training Camps, their dreams of making it were just smashed, wish these people would be more thoughtful with their comments and analysis,
#BeKind
Some young players have no idea how good they could be because they have been typecast or labelled by certain coaches, sadly these kids lose their confidence, creativity and passion for the game
Everyone in the rink can see....
1 Players with bad body language
2 Selfish players
3 Players with bad attitudes
4 One Dimensional Players
5 Players that don’t compete
The hierarchy of hockey continues to limit opportunities, we could all speculate that hierarchy also limits the “late bloomer,” especially when it comes to opportunity. Let’s face it, opportunity is all some players ever need to prove they belong and reach their full potential.
You can tell a lot about the character of a player as soon as the puck gets turned over, Some players have an unmatched will to compete to get it back, while others quickly fade, Character and compete are a rare, but an incredibly valuable commodity
#Intangibles
#Character
Solid stay at home Dmen aren’t as coveted as they once were, Ironically they become highly sought after or valuable when they are needed to shut players down, be on the ice at the end of games that matter most Some coaches or teams don’t value something until they really need it
A very difficult day for young players and their families as
@QMJHL
teams have started to release players
Being let go doesn’t mean you’re not good enough, it just means you may not be ready, Don’t lose sight of your goal and dream, your time will come, keep working hard!
"The best up and coming hockey coaches are tired of the bull shit, they’re tired of dealing with entitled hockey crazed parents, the really good ones are leaving, and who could blame them."
#FDSHockey
#InFocus
Great coaches motivate, communicate and connect with their players, They have the innate ability to hold every player accountable while making them all feel valued and part of the process, that’s how you build a winning culture,
Gap control, sticking positioning, angling, pivots, 1st pass and compete level are often times overlooked while evaluating young defenders, the focus is usually derived when they have the puck on their stick, it’s not always about the flash and dash when projecting defencemen
Observations From the Rink: Every team has a player that flies under the radar, plays the game the right way all of the time and never gets the credit they deserve, Only their teammates and coaches truly know how valuable they really are
#HonestPlayer
#UnsungHero
One of the worst possible situations any player can experience is an environment where they don’t feel valued, heard or supported, Today’s athlete can instantly sense if coaches are genuine, receptive and honestly care about their growth and progress,
Observations From the Rink: Reliable two-way players have incredible value, unfortunately many of them are unappreciated, used incorrectly and get buried in the line up, Playing the game the right way is truly invaluable!
#TwoWayGame
Thrilled to announce that I will be returning as a prospect writer for the
@QMJHL
I will be providing draft rankings and writing in-depth features on
@NHL
and
#QMJHL
Draft eligible players
Can’t wait to get started!
Sometimes players just need some reassurance, It could be the difference between fighting the puck or breaking out with a great performance, We all know confidence is a difference maker, Why do some coaches still insist on tearing players down instead of building them up
Today's players are skilled, but they struggle with general concepts, those concepts aren’t systems, they are the basics like positioning, in game hockey instincts and the intangibles, Coaches are trying to reach them and explain there's more than just a skill element to the game
Everyone wants to take credit for the growth and development of young players, only the player knows the people that have helped them the most along the way, We should never lose sight of the effort and commitment by the player, that’s what matters most
Observations From the Rink: Sadly, some coaches allow certain players to become entitled because they are not held accountable for their actions or held to a different standard, nothing will divide a team quicker than entitlement and the lack of accountability
Observations From the Rink:
When a teams “best” players don’t pass the puck, selfishness will spread like wildfire, Just look at the power play and odd man rushes, usually that’s where the selfishness will appear first
#PasstheDamnPuck
It’s awful that people that call themselves “diehard fans” of a Major Junior team call out or bash of a 17-year-old kid on social media for making a bad play. Trying to be funny or being sarcastic while criticizing a very good young player is wrong on so many of levels.
#Growup
A very difficult few days for young players and their families as
@QMJHL
teams have started to release players
Being let go doesn’t mean you’re not good enough, it just means you may not be ready, Don’t lose sight of your goal and dream, your time will come, keep working hard!
Sadly there are many players at a crossroads right now especially if they have had awful experiences this season, Please don’t let anyone or anything steal your love and passion for the game, Things will get better, it’s not like this every year
I realize it’s a business and that some players are important assets, but for Jr A organizations to refuse to trade players so they can stay closer to home or attend university to close out their careers just doesn’t make sense to me
Let’s show some class and do the right thing
Skill, skill skill, that’s all we hear and rightfully so, but the great separator for athletes today, is character, compete level and buy in, Those are the skills and intangibles that are truly invaluable every step of the way
Observations From the Rink Selfish players reveal themselves most on a 2-1 or the power play, low percentage shots, skating themselves out of real estate or into trouble, those types of players are predictable and easy to defend, they expect the puck, but never work for it!
Thrilled to announce I will be joining the
@_Neutral_Zone
team providing coverage of
@NHL
draft prospects playing in the
@QMJHL
Can’t wait to get started!
It's great seeing a player finally be given a chance, regaining their confidence and contributing after being shafted or healthy scratched, Those players become galvanized character players in spite of all the poor treatment, Value is value they just need a chance to show theirs
Observations From the Rink:
So many young players are fixated on trying to look good or showcase their skills rather than playing the game the right way,
You will get noticed more for doing the little things rather than the fancy stuff
Can’t stand seeing people on line especially Twitter bashing Major Junior players
Opinions are like assholes everyone has one, but I really wish the assholes would keep theirs to themselves
#GrowUp
“Goaltenders and their parents continue to deal with astronomical amounts of pressure, unattainable expectations and unfair criticism from others that have no idea about the position, financial and personal cost or the toll it takes”
#FDSHockey
#InFocus
“Protect our goalies at all cost”, then shoot pucks from an sharpe angle when they aren’t looking during warm-up, Then ring pucks up around their ears or hit them in the head That’s absolutely ridiculous, Shoot the damn puck low, Can’t imagine what goaltenders must go through
People think you're crazy to expect more compete from a skilled player, but it's perfectly ok to demand the grinding two-way forward to work on their puck skills, but limit their ice time when they try to create offensively, No wonder there’s so much entitlement in the game today
So many young draft eligible players are worried about points and the stat sheet, Playing the game the right way will get you noticed, don’t cheat offensively, learn how to play both sides of the puck
#FDSHockey
#InFocus
#InFocusScouting
Obviously everyone will remember the broken stick and the bad breaks. One of my biggest takeaways from the game is seeing three kids from the Maritimes play exceptionally well. Wishing
@_ND53
@shanebowers15
and
@McisaacJared
all the best in the 2nd half
Observations From the Rink:
So many young players are fixated on trying to look good or showcase their skills rather than just playing the game the right way,
You will get noticed more for doing the little things right rather than all of the fancy stuff
#LittleThings
There’s nothing like seeing a kids face light up when a teacher or coach tells them how proud they are of them. The smallest words, actions and positive reinforcement can have the largest impact
One of the best quotes I’ve ever heard from
@BlueJacketsNHL
Scout and longtime coach Danny Flynn “Hockey sense is God given, compete level is your personal gift”
A lot of
@QMJHL
players will be on the move over the next few days They will be saying goodbye to their teammates, but they wiIl have to say goodbye to a second family which for many is the hardest thing to do, Billet families are the backbone of Jr hockey
So many young aspiring draft eligible players at the U-18 level are struggling with confidence, it’s so early, control what you can control, embrace the grind, play to your identity, keep working, and just try to get better every day
When a player arrives and excels at the next level, people often forget where they played or their path to get there, These players showed promise all along, they just needed time and an opportunity
“We are all told it’s part of the game, it’s part of the process, but it still hurts. When you get two shifts a period it tears apart a young players psyche and confidence
#FDSHockey
#InFocus
“It doesn’t matter where you play, or how old you are, if you’re good enough you will get noticed” I wish that was true, sadly it’s not always the case,
Never give up, keep working hard, when someone finally takes notice, your character and resiliency will jump off the page
Observations From The Rink It’s obvious to see which players are chasing pts, they’re so selfish, never pass, take ill-advised shots and always expect to get the puck, but never work for it, the worst thing has to be seeing players going to the ref to try add an assist on a goal
Tons of admiration for players that continue to find a way to produce and put up solid numbers while being buried in a lineup, Contribution takes on entirely new meaning for these players, Simply put, they play the right way and should play more, their time will come
#Resiliency
Best of luck to all the first time players and their families as they head off to their respective
@QMJHL
Training Camps
The team drafted you because they saw your potential, live up to it, work hard and trust your instincts and skill
Best of luck to all the first time players and their families as they head off to their respective
@QMJHL
Training Camps
The team drafted you because they saw your potential, live up to it, work hard and trust your instincts and skill
Realize coaches wear a lot of hats these days, but if they aren’t meeting regularly with players on a 1-1 basis to review game tape and discuss their growth, progression and areas to work on there’s definitely a disconnect, to know better is to do better
#PlayerDevelopment
Observations From the Rink Players that hang on to pucks way too long in effort to showcase their puck skills and perceived poise with the puck, always end up over handling it, miss open teammates, open lanes and always skate into trouble
#MoveThePuck
Some players don’t get the press, headlines or notoriety, they just show up punch the card and go to work, whether it’s practice or games, you always know what you’re going get, if you have a team of those types of players you’re going to win a lot of hockey games
#Intangibles
Before you start criticizing a 16 yr old and their family on social media for considering all of their options, try to remember it’s their decision not yours, try putting yourself in their shoes, they are trying to do what’s right for their child, wouldn’t you do the same?
Everyone talks about player development, yet young players are the first to experience ghost benching, limited TOI and a lack of situational play, The resiliency and character of young athletes that have dealt with these aspects should never be overlooked
What a Day for the Barron Family!
@JustinBarron01
is set to make his pro debut with the
@ColoradoEagles
@TheAHL
while his brother Morgan was called up by the
@NYRangers
Different paths, but so many similarities when it comes down to their skill, heart and character
@HockeyNS
Not sure what’s worse, A coach who constantly ghost benches players and sets their players up to fail, or The coach that doesn't use or trust their Asst. Coaches? It’s not difficult to see which coaches are insecure or in over their head.
Observations From the Rink: Everyone is surprised or shocked to see players grow, develop and become a “different” player. They’re the same player, they were finally given a “different” opportunity and excel within that new role, Same player, different opportunity,
#NewRole
Racking up pts as a defencemen is great and all, but can they defend? Are they solid and tough to play against in their own zone? Do they process the game, do they have a good stick? Those are the traits that matter most and that will definitely translate better to the next level
Observations From the Rink: Some players are the fastest and most skilled, but they seldom have success because they skate into trouble, try to do too much and NEVER pass the puck,
#PassTheDamnPuck
They might not be the most skilled or most polished of players, but they constantly do what other players don’t do and that’s compete for every puck and bring energy every shift, Every player has value, some just go unnoticed or unappreciated
#Intangibles
This time of year is incredibly difficult on U-16 and U-18 draft eligible players, rankings and lists are floating around and showcase tournaments only add to stress, pressure and anxiety,
People don’t know realize what these kids and their families are going through,
Congratulations to pride of Woodstock NB
@adammccormickk
@CBSEHockey
on earning an invite to
@DallasStars
Rookie Tournament in Sept! Adam’s hard work and dedication continues to pay off Best of Luck in Traverse City!