Be Willing To Be Different

It can be scary to be different.

And obviously, different, is a very subjective word that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

That's all good and fair, but I really believe that being different is the only way to be great.

I think it's, unfortunately, way to common for everyone to just want to 'fit in'.

This same concept can be seen in hockey.

The best players in the world don't become that way just because of their ability.

I was listening to a podcast the other day where they were talking to Dan Bylsma and he was talking about Sidney Crosby. Everyone knows that Crosby is always in the argument for the best player in the world, but Bylsma came right out and said that Crosby isn't the most talented player in the world. Kind of a shocking statement from a guy that coached Crosby for 6 years and won a Stanley Cup with him. But, he went on to talk about how the real thing that separates Crosby from everyone else is the way he processes information and his work ethic. He said that he has never seen someone be able to process so much information in such a short period of time and then be able to go out and implement it into their game... that's what Crosby does.

He also goes on to talk about his work ethic. He gave an example where in a game there was a bounce off the wall behind the net and Crosby ended up mishandling the puck and not scoring. The next morning, he was on the ice working on the same sorts of plays and within a matter of 10 to 15 reps was as smooth and natural as ever.

Now, does Sidney Crosby need to be doing these things?

Nope... and even if he didn't he would still be one of the best players in the world.

But there in lies the difference of why he is so great. He holds himself to a higher standard. He is willing to be different and do the little things that so many other players brush off and think don't matter.

It's easy to settle, or make excuses as to why you don't need to do something. It's really hard to have the mindset of being different to make sure you get the things that you want.

This whole idea kind of goes back to the old saying, "how hard are you working when no one else is watching?"

People see the stats and the Stanley Cup rings and all the other accomplishments, but I think so many people don't realize the amount of work and sacrifice that it took to get there.

The amount of times that it took him to be different in order to carve his own path. 

That's not to say that all you have to do is work really hard everyday and you can be the next Sidney Crosby, because we all know that's not true and there are other variables that also contribute to where he is. But, I can guarantee you that if you put yourself out there and forget about what everyone else thinks you should be doing, then I guarantee you're going to be more satisfied with your results, regardless of what they may be. 

I have found this to be completely true in my own life. I've talked about how in high school I started training early in the mornings to get bigger and stronger. It was never something that I had to do, but rather, was something that I knew I needed to do in order to get where I wanted. I remember on multiple occasions going home early on a Friday night because I had a workout the next morning at 6am. It was tough leaving my friends and having them question why I was doing that stuff and think I was crazy. But, looking back at it now, it was one of the best things I ever did for myself.

It's also relates a lot to this blog.

It's scary to be different and put yourself out to the world and be completely honest and transparent. Especially, when there are a lot of people who I know personally who read this blog.

It would be easy to be satisfied with where my life is and my involvement in hockey, but I have always felt, and known, that there was more that I wanted to do.

So I'm pushing my own boundaries by deciding to be different and putting everything I know out there. And so far, it's been one of the best things that I've done.

I don't bring any of this up to come from an annoying "look at me and what I'm doing" standpoint. I'm just sharing my journey in hopes that it might help you get out of your comfort zone and realize that it's a good thing to be different.

I think all to often we have the mindset of just wanting to 'fit in', or just do enough to get by. My hope is for you to realize that there is more out there than you think and it's OK to step out and take a risk for something you want. Don't let the fear control you. It's easy to talk yourself into saying something won't work, but what if you have the mindset of thinking... what if it does?

So what are you willing to do to be different that will help you get to the next level, or achieve the things that you really want?

Leave your comments below and thanks for being such a big part of my own journey.

How To Get More Playing Time

It's probably one of the questions I get asked the most as a coach. 

"How do I get more ice time?"

While obviously there are a multitude of items that play into these decisions, there are a few general pieces of advice that can help any player looking for more ice time to get there. 

The first part that I like to talk about with players are the intangibles. What type of teammate are you? Are you supportive, hard working, and positive? Or, are you the guy that is complaining, lazy, and giving off the vibe of being uninterested?

It's amazing how much something so simple, such as your attitude, can help when it comes to earning more ice time. 

When coaches see a player who's being a great teammate, working hard in all the right areas, and genuinely wants to be there for his teammates, it's easier as a coach to give more opportunities to those players. I have found that nearly all coaches can deal with mistakes on the ice when the intent from the player is in the right place and not in question. 

As I have talked about before, the beauty of intangibles is that they are 100% in the control of the player. Every player can control how hard they work, what kind of teammate they are, and how much they care. 

The next piece of advice I give to players looking for more ice time is to really work to become better defensively. 

If you are a strong defensive player then you will earn a coaches trust. Trust from your coach equals more playing time. 

I talk specifically about becoming a strong defensive player because a lot of the factors that play into being strong defensively are in your control. Whereas, they're not so much in your control offensively. I think that should make sense. Even Crosby and McDavid, who everyone would consider the best offensive players in the world, can't completely score on demand. 

But, defensively there are a lot more things you can control. You can control understanding the system that your team is using, being in the right spot, having an active stick, taking the body, being hard on the puck, taking hits to make plays, blocking shots... The bulk of the items just described come down to work ethic and commitment to doing your job. 

I tell my players a lot that being good defensively is merely making the conscious decision to outwork the opponent and being willing to do the dirty work. In other words, it doesn't take a lot of talent to be good defensively. 

To further back this up there's players who have made entire careers out of being good in the defensive zone and being really good at making simple plays. The one that gets mentioned the most was a former NHL defensemen Hal Gil. He played 16 years in the NHL and he was simply really good at getting the puck out of the zone and using his size to be effective in the D-Zone. In fact, he never had more than 6 goals in one season as a pro. If it worked for a guy who played over a 1,100 games in the NHL, then it's good enough for you too.

So while it may be frustrating to not be getting the minutes that you think you deserve, there are always things you can be doing to (hopefully) earn more. Have a great attitude, be a great teammate, and focus on the little details of the game that you can control. 

The last point that needs to be thrown in there, as well, is consistency. While everything that was discussed above is important, it only matters if you can do it on a consistent basis. Often consistency is one of the real deciding factors for who gets more ice time than others. It doesn't necessarily mean that the players who get more ice time don't make mistakes (because everyone makes mistakes). But rather, coaches love players who are consistent night after night and shift after shift. If a coach knows what you bring to the table every night, and it includes some of the things mentioned above, then the chance of you getting more ice time is only going to increase. 

Keep working to get better everyday and focusing on the things that are in your control. 

Work Ethic And Hockey

Work ethic is one of those buzzwords that we hear about all the time. Having the ability to work hard is vital to every hockey player. The tricky part is that “the ability to work hard” is usually how far our minds go when thinking about work ethic. Most players don’t dig much deeper than that surface level answer. 

What we should be thinking about is what do I need to do to help my players (or yourself, or your son or daughter) to develop their work ethic?

Because here’s the reality: the greater the work ethic, the more success you’ll have.

What’s one thing that the best hockey players today all have in common? Think about guys like Crosby, McDavid, Toews, MacKinnon, Subban, Weber, Price… really anyone that plays in the NHL. The simple answer is their work ethic is off the charts. The truth is, anyone playing at that level has an unbelievable work ethic because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be there.

While I’m not telling you to compare yourself, or your team, to NHL players, I think everyone wants to learn from the best. And, I think we can learn bits and pieces from people that have gotten to the top.

To back this point up even further, the NHL started to take player polls a few years ago. Now, these were questionnaires that were given out to all NHL players with the same questions just to get their perspective on the game from the players playing it.

The one question that stands out to me the most is, “What quality do you appreciate most in a teammate?” The leading answer by a large margin was work ethic.

Work ethic is truly one of those things that’s easy to talk about, but difficult to master. But, for those who can master and develop it into a strength, the ceiling to that individual's potential is nearly endless.

How Do We Develop And Build Our Work Ethic

While there are some people that would argue that your work ethic is something that you’re born with, I would completely disagree.

Like most things, work ethic can be built, trained, and constantly improved upon.

The first key component in building your work ethic is understanding your WHY. Like most things in hockey, and life, if you don’t know why you’re doing them, or if you have no direction of where you hope to be going, you’re going to eventually lose motivation and direction and end up frustrated, lost, and uninterested. This is what we want to avoid at all costs.

There’s a strategic reason why in this blog I have talked about the importance of understanding and defining your WHY. It’s because nearly everything you do as a hockey player can be traced back to that one foundational piece.

The next big area of importance comes through goal setting. This is important because this is the next component to building and developing your work ethic. You need to know where you’re trying to go. In other words, you need direction.

So to summarize, there are two major components that we need to have in order to build, develop, and train our work ethic. We need to understand why we are doing the things we’re doing, and we need to have a goal of where we want to go.

The Six Components To Building Your Work Ethic

Everyone’s definition of work ethic is going to be slightly different and and that’s ok. The reality is that what one person defines work ethic as, the person sitting next to them might have a completely different opinion.

So when talking about something so subjective, how do we develop, train, and improve our work ethic?

I think there are six key components that can lead to an improved work ethic. And, if you’ve started to notice a pattern in all the lessons, they’re all things that you as the individual can control.

1. Honor Your Commitments - If you commit to doing something, then commit to seeing it out. Don’t quit and make an excuse for why everything didn’t work out the way you hoped. If you commit to working out three mornings a week at 6 am, make sure that you show up. It’s easy to say you’re too tired, or you don’t feel like going, but by honoring your commitment and showing up you’re building your work ethic.

2. Be On Time - When thinking about work ethic and commitment, do you think you’re building your work ethic into a strength if you’re not on time? There isn’t a person out there who could argue that. Just like point number one, commit to showing up and make sure you’re on time. Showing up on time immediately gives you a boost of confidence because it’s a form of success. It’s a little victory that helps put you on the path to success.

3. Be Prepared - It seems like such a common sense idea, which it is, but it’s so vital to be reminded about its importance. If you want to be at your best and be ready to work, you need to be prepared. If you’re scrambling before a game because you can’t find your gloves, or you forgot your jerseys at home, are you prepared? Of course not, and that it turn leads to you focusing your time and energy on everything except the game you’re about to play. Set yourself up for success by making sure you’re prepared.

4. Have A Clear Vision Of What You Want / What You’re Working For - Like we talked about earlier in this guide, you need to know WHY you’re working and have a vision for what you’re working for. The more focused you are the easier it is to put your best effort forward. When you know what you’re working for it becomes easier to stay motivated and push yourself to the next level.

5. Have A Good / Positive Attitude - Attitude is everything. There are going to be days when you don’t want to work. There are going to be days when you face obstacles. And, there are going to be days when nothing seems to be going your way. Your attitude is what will get you through. If you can find the positive in the situation, keep things in perspective, and keep going after the things you want then you’ll be successful. This famous quote is so true… “Life (and hockey) is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.”

6. Never Quit / Never Give In - The hardest workers always believe there’s a way. Whether they’re down or losing, they know that hard work and sticking to the process is the only way to overcome obstacles. Know that nothing ever worth having is going to come easy, and only those that never quit, or give in, are the ones who will be left standing at the end. If you believe in it, keep working for it.

I’m a big believer that if you’re really serious about developing your work ethic, and being that player that everyone always comments is the hardest worker on the ice, then commit to these six items.

Over time, if you keep these six items in mind and follow them, they will become ingrained in who you are as a person and who you will be as a player. They will turn into your own definition, and help you define your work ethic. They’re not easy, but like I said above, nothing worth having is ever easy. And just remember, nothing listed above has anything to do with talent, physical capabilities, or who you know. They’re all items that you can control and use to define your own personal path.

Focus on you work ethic. Realize that it’s something you can work on and build. Whenever things get tough, your work ethic is what will carry you through.

The 1% Better Mindset

Our mind can often be our biggest advantage, or disadvantage. The right mindset can carry you through tough times and over many obstacles, while a poor mindset can bring you down into lows that you didn't know existed. 

I've realized through coaching, and my own life, that simplifying the way we think about things and learning to control the things that are in our power to control have been some of the most helpful pieces of advice that I've built into my life and my coaching. 

There have been a few things that I would say have helped define me as a person and a coach. I guess you could call them my set of guidelines that I try to follow in my constant pursuit of success, and also my pursuit of helping those around me become successful.

While there have been various contributing factors, there is one thing that has pushed itself ahead of all the rest. 

It's something that I talk to my teams and players about on a regular basis. 

Getting 1% better everyday. 

I think this way of thinking is especially important, and relevant, for hockey players. 

The truth is, we live in a society where people want results instantly. Think about all the late night infomercials you've seen, or even about the guy who works an hour a week and is a millionaire. 

While (most of us) know that these things are bogus, there is a part in all of us that believes (or wishes) them to be true. 

Often we think the same way when it comes to hockey.

We often want the end result of being a great player and all the accolades that come along with it, but we sometimes forget about the work needed to get there. 

We see great players on TV like Crosby, McDavid, Matthews, Kane... and can sometimes forget the amount of time, effort, energy, and sacrifice that it took them to get to that level. 

That's not to say that it isn't important to dream about those things, but rather, to realize that that level of success doesn't just happen overnight. 

As the famous quote goes, it's taken years and years of hard work and sacrifice to be the 'overnight success' that you see today.

So what's the point of all this?

As I've talked about before on this blog, while having an endpoint, or goal, in mind is important, it's not always the deciding factor to real success or growth. In fact, more often than not, the real growth comes through the journey. 

The real success comes through overcoming the struggle and fighting through the obstacles even when you didn't think you could. 

I'm of the mindset and belief that if you can break bigger goals down into more manageable segments, it makes them more realistic and easier to stick to. 

In other words, it simplifies the process. 

Small incremental gains leads to monumental progress over time.

So in my own life, and those that I interact with and coach, I constantly talk about the 1% rule. 

The 1% rule means that my goal for everyday, or every practice or time I touch the ice, that I get 1% better. 

Breaking it down into something simple, like getting 1% better, makes everything seem more possible.

If you can do that, will you notice a change from today to tomorrow? No. 

But, if you can get 1% better everyday, will you notice a change from today to three months from now? Absolutely. 

And for me, that's what it's all about. It's not about doing something for one day and expecting to become an expert or a superstar. It's about building for the long haul and understanding the consistent work that you put in as a player is going to eventually pay off. 

I know that it can be frustrating at times to think that way because we want results now, but, I have found that if you can buy into this way of thinking that it becomes easier to stay motivated and accountable in all that you do. 

Getting 1% better isn't a quick fix for anything, it's a mindset. It's a way of thinking that will (hopefully) make you enjoy the journey and the process and realize that great things take time. 

If you can carry this way of thinking into your hockey career, and life, I firmly believe that you will find yourself achieving more and constantly improving. 

Be in it for the long haul. Get 1% better everyday. And become that next 'overnight success'.

Everything You Do Matters

I think we all get caught in the mindset, from time to time, that certain things we do don't matter. 

We get in that mindset of, "I skipped a workout today, but it doesn't really matter, I can just do it tomorrow..."

It's that lack of focus and attention to detail that can put us farther from where we really want to be. 

When I say Everything You Do Matters, I really mean it. 

That doesn't mean that everything you do is always going to be right or perfect. In fact, that's not possible so please don't take this article as me trying to tell you that you need to be perfect. Remember, it's often the failures in life and hockey that we actually learn the most from. 

What I'm really talking about is building the habits to being successful. 

I think this holds true to being successful in both hockey and in life. 

Showing up everyday with a good attitude matters.

Being a great teammate matters.

Working as hard as you can at everything you do matters.

Not skipping workouts matters.

Holding yourself accountable for your actions matters.

Really the list of things can go on and on, but I think you get the idea. 

If you can change your mindset to realize that everything you do matters, then all the sudden the habits that you start to develop are going to lead you down the path to where you want to go. 

I've said it a hundred times, and, I guarantee, I'll say it a hundred more... excuses are easy.

It's easy to brush things off that you think "don't matter". But in reality, that mindset is actually holding you back instead of pushing you forward.

I think this is a fitting article for this time of year. 

Most players are done for the season, and a lot have started looking towards next year already. This is the time in the year when it becomes incredibly easy to think that "it doesn't matter" when it comes to a skate, a workout, or your diet. 

The truth is that everyday you're either taking a step forward and getting closer to where you want to be, or you're not. And the beauty of the whole thing is that YOU control that. 

Focus on the details, have a purpose for the things you do, and know that everything you do matters.

Keep grinding after the things you want.

6 Keys To Building A Pregame Routine That Works

How do you prepare for games?

Do you have a routine?

Or do you just show up to the rink, throw your stuff on, and go out there and play?

It's always amazing to me when players can't figure out why they are inconsistent from game to game. 

When players aren't doing everything in their power to make sure they're prepared to play, they're often inconsistent. 

Preparation is a big key to success.

The first thing that needs to be understood is that everyone’s pregame routine, or preparation, will be different. What may work for you, may not work for your linemates and vis versa. The key is to discover a routine that works for you. You want to feel confident, poised, and ready to play your best from the time you hit the ice in warm ups to the time the final buzzer sounds.

6 Keys to Building a Pregame Routine that Works

• Understand your why and what you want to achieve

Like any aspect of hockey, or life, if you don’t have an understanding of what you are trying to do, and why you want to do it, then you’re never going to achieve ultimate success. You need to have a clear path and vision to what you want, but also understand why you want those things. Any time you know what you are trying to achieve, it makes it easier to build a process around achieving that success.

• Plenty of rest, proper nutrition, be on time (never rushed)

I group these three ideas together because I feel like for the most part they are self explanatory. If you want to be at your peak level of performance you need to be well rested. A physically exhausted athlete is not going to be performing at their best. The same idea holds true with nutrition. The food you eat is the fuel you need to perform. It sounds simple and seems like such a common sense principle, yet it is one of the most overlooked aspects in young hockey players. Eat foods that are light and that you know are going to make you feel good. Stay away from any foods that may leave you feeling sluggish or unsettled (examples include greasy or spicy foods). Finally, be on time! It’s amazing how something like being late to the rink can throw off your pregame routine and your focus. Before taking the ice, you want to be feeling calm and prepared. By simply being on time, you create a sense of comfort and readiness.

• Visualization

You can’t expect to achieve success unless you can see it in your mind. This is something that I have learned through years of playing and coaching. Find a quiet place where you can close your eyes and focus on your thoughts. Visualize yourself playing the game. See yourself making tape to tape passes, winning 1 on 1 battles along the boards, blocking a shot, scoring a big goal, winning the game and celebrating with your teammates… all those little things that will make you and your team successful. See them in your mind and start training your mind to expect those plays. When you can see those plays in your mind, your confidence will begin to grow.

• Create Mental Reminders

Mental reminders are your three key points that you want to focus on in order to keep your mind in tune with your surroundings, engaged in the game, and playing at your best. These ideas should be short, simple, and concise. Between periods or shifts, good or bad, you can remind yourself of these things in order to make sure that your mind stays focused. Know in your mind that if you can do those mental reminders each shift, you’re going to be playing well and helping your team be successful. Examples of mental reminders include: keep my feet moving, good stick on stick, finish my checks, strong in the grey zones, good first pass, call for the puck… the list can go on and on and can change from game to game depending on your role. These simple ideas are a great way to keep your mind focused and into the game.

• Breathe

It seems so simple, yet is so powerful. Learn to breathe and calm your nerves or amp yourself up. Breathing is unique because we unconsciously do it in order to live, yet have the ability to control it if we want to. Feeling nervous before a game? Take a few deep breaths, slowing inhaling until your lungs are full, holding for a few seconds, and then slowing exhaling. This will calm your heart rate and in turn help calm your nerves. On the flip side, if you don’t feel into the game, you can use your breathing to help get your adrenaline pumping. Quickly breathing in and out will help your heart rate rise and get adrenaline pumping into your body. This can help your mind focus and get excited about playing the greatest game on earth.

• Feel calm and confident

The most important aspect of a pregame routine is to leave you feeling confident. The whole point of creating a routine is let you have a series of predetermined activities that you know you will be successful at to help build that comfort level and confidence. Remember, success leads to confidence and confident hockey players are great hockey players. Every player is different and different things work for different players. Try a few things (taping your stick, warming up a certain way, etc…) to find what works best for you. Stick with your routine and give it a chance to work for you. Things can always be added or changed, but it ultimately boils down to whatever makes you feel comfortable, confident, and ready.

There’s no magic formula to what makes the perfect pregame routine. The only consistent idea is that having some sort of routine is important to success and being at your best. Some routines are simple, while some are a bit more complex. The key is to find what works for you and be consistent with it.

When times get tough, or you're looking for something new to give you an extra edge, examine your preparation. 

The way you prepare is another one of those things that is completely in your control as a player. It will not only help you play more consistent, but will also leave you with a feeling of confidence. 

Don't overlook the power, and importance, of giving yourself the best opportunity to be successful.

Let us know if the comments section what works for you.

Preparing For The Big Game

Sweaty palms, fidgeting legs, heart pumping...

Man, I miss those feelings.

That's how I used to feel before a big game.

I never felt like it was out of nervousness, but more out of excitement. The excitement of being on the big stage with something important on the line.

Now, in a perfect world we could say that we get those feelings every game. That same rush of nerves and excitement, but the reality is, some games just carry more weight than others. That's just a fact. It doesn't matter how good you are, or what level you're playing at, some games will always feel bigger than others.

Even in the NHL, I guarantee that Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals feels a lot different than a Sunday afternoon game in Florida in the middle of January...

While the end may be close for some, or already happened, for others some of the biggest games of the season are about to take place.

I was talking with a former player that I coached the other day who is now a head coach (wow, that makes me feel old...). His team is about to play in the state semi-finals. He asked me for advice on playing in those big types of games. What they should do to prepare and be ready...

My message to him was simple: Seize the opportunity. Remember what got you there and play your game. Don't try to change and be someone that you're not. And enjoy the hell out of every minute.

 For coaches and players alike, I think this message holds true. I think way to often as coaches and players we get to a big game or a big moment and feel like we need to change what we're doing to get us over the top.

I've never looked at it that way.

I've always had the mindset of sticking to the things that have made you successful and driven you and your team to that point. That doesn't mean that you don't have to adapt and game plan for specific things that the opposing team does, but rather, that you stick to the core strengths of your team.

A better way to explain it might be that you game plan on how to defend a specific teams powerplay, but don't try and change your whole style and way of playing. If you're a team that is physical and plays heavy, play that way. Don't try to turn into a finesse team just because it's a bigger game on a bigger stage.

I think this message is important for both coaches and players. And honestly, like so many things, it can be related to real life too. Be confident in who you are and what you bring to the table. In the end, I guarantee you'll make it a hell of a lot farther being true to who you are then trying to be someone you're not.

I've talked a lot in this blog about making the most of opportunities. Playing in big games is just that... another opportunity. Don't let fear control you. Embrace the situation and embrace the moment and leave it all out there. I know that sounds cliche, but I think so many times we can hype big moments up in our head so much that we end up missing out on the experience and not performing how we would have hoped.

My advice for anyone about to go into a big game is to keep things in perspective, stick to the things that have made you successful, leave every ounce of yourself out there, and most importantly, enjoy the moment.

Speaking from personal experience, big games in huge moments are hard to come by. So every chance that you have at one, enjoy it and realize how fortunate you are to experience it.

Good luck to everyone about to play in one of those big games...

Regrets Suck, Don't Have Them

For a lot of you, the season is winding down or has just finished.

Do you have any regrets about the season?

I know that's a blunt question just thrown out there but I don't think there's much benefit in tiptoeing around the subject.

The end of a season is an awesome time to do some self reflection and really look back and see what went well, and what didn't go so well. You should be looking at it from an individual standpoint and a team standpoint. Both will probably have different answers and both scenarios will provide opportunities to learn and grow for the future.

I want you to take a quick break from this post and just think about the answers to those questions...

I wanted you to think about that first before I went any further because I want to talk a bit about the difference between having regret and disappointment.

While they may seem, and even feel, the same at times, they are incredibly different.

Disappointment is losing a game, having a bad game or practice, or missing a backdoor pass that most of the time would be an easy goal...

Regret, on the other hand, is a missed opportunity because of your own doing. In nearly all situations, regret boils down to things that you can completely control, whereas, disappointment is a lot of times caused by things that are not fully in your control.

You can play your heart out and still lose a game... that's disappointing. But after that disappointment resides you can look yourself in the mirror and know that you did everything in your power to help get a different result, but it just wasn't meant to be on that day. On the flip side, regret is when you lose a game and you know that you stayed out to late the night before, or didn't get enough rest, or didn't eat a quality pregame meal, or weren't focused in warm ups, or weren't a good teammate in the locker room and on the bench... that is regret.

Your team ultimately gets the same end result, a loss, but how you feel about it probably feels drastically different if you think about the game the next day.

There's honestly nothing worse than having regrets.

That feeling of KNOWING that you could have, and should have, done more.

I honestly think it's a hard lesson that every player has to go through. Really, it's a lesson that everyone has to go through with life in general.

I think having the ability to take a step back and have some perspective on how things are going will really help players become more consistent. And, as I've said before, the best trait any hockey player can have is consistency.

If you can learn that it's OK to be disappointed, and try to limit any regrets that you may have, I guarantee you'll find that you're growing more as a person and teammate.

It's also been my observation that players that play on teams that struggle a lot tend to have a lot of regrets if they are truly being honest with themselves. This happens because it's easy to turn on your teammates and coaches when times get tough. It's also easy to skimp on your preparation and start to let phrases like "does it even really matter" creep into your repertoire.

This is where it becomes even more important to remember WHY you are playing the game and to also remember what you're trying to get out of the situation. If there is anything that I've learned in my life it's that everyone is going to face obstacles at one point or another in life. How we respond and grow from those obstacles is what is going to help define us as people and hockey players. The ones that can learn to rise above and find a positive in the hardship are the ones that will truly be successful.

The beauty of all this is that the choice is yours. Sure, you can't always predict the outcome, but you can control your attitude and your work ethic. And that should excite you.

For me personally, this has been a big area of focus in my own life the past few years. Regardless of outcomes, I don't want to have regrets.

And I love the fact that if I remember that I have control over the things that matter most (my work ethic, attitude...) that I ultimately will control my destiny.

I hope you all think about things a little different and don't stress the disappointments, just learn to avoid the regrets.

Remember, everyday is an opportunity to keep getting a little better so keep grinding.

The Foundation Of A Hockey Player

Simple hockey wins games. 

I fully believe that statement. 

The game has been around a long time, and while it keeps evolving, a few things hold true. 

The first point is that the best teams, and best players, do the simple things really well. 

As hockey players and coaches most of us are always looking for that new little tweak to our game that will give us the advantage and take us over the top. 

While I agree with that to a point, I don't think that is what makes teams and players successful. 

Like I said above, the game keeps evolving. That's a great thing and it's definitely important to continue to grow with the game, however, if we take a step back and think about hockey at it's core, what is it?

Skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and some sort of hockey sense. 

Systems and methodology can continue to evolve and change, but those core skills continue to be vital to the success of hockey players and teams. 

The point that I'm trying to make is to remind you that it's not always about finding the new drill or idea that will make you successful. 

Often times, it's the repetition and dedication to become as efficient as possible at the simple skills of the game that makes the biggest difference. 

We can all get better at our skating. 

We can all get better at our stickhandling. 

We can all get better at our passing. 

We can all get better at our shooting.

And we can all get better at becoming a student of the game and understanding the nuances to the game.

So instead of always looking for something new and different, stay dedicated to being the best you can be at the fundamentals. 

The great players, and teams, are the ones that have the constant drive and commitment to grind through the monotonous training because they know the long term gain will be worth it. 

Shoot extra pucks, work on your stickhandling, and take an interest in improving your skating. 

In my experience, these little areas are actually the ones that will make the biggest difference and give you the biggest advantage. 

Don't chase the new fad, trust in building your foundation.

Why Do You Play Hockey?

This week’s blog is all about building a foundation for your success. Now, before we get into a bunch of specific details about things like building confidence into your game, setting goals, or becoming more consistent...we all need to take a step back first. We need to actually know why we are doing those things. It’s the starting point. It’s the biggest, and often most important, part of building your foundation.

I’ve written on this blog about this subject before, but I wanted to rewrite an updated and more in depth version for everyone as the season gets underway.

It’s so common anymore that we get wrapped up in life and in hockey with so many things that either a) don’t really matter or b) we really can’t control.

It turn, this usually leads to a lack of focus or a lack of direction. And the truth is, if we lose our focus and our direction then we almost always lose our drive and motivation. Plain and simple, we become discouraged and we lose sight of what’s really important.

That’s why discovering your WHY is so important.

If you know what your WHY is then you know what your purpose is. And if you know what your purpose is then it’s a hell of a lot easier to stay on the path to success and to stay driven.

Think about it? Why do you play hockey?

It’s such a simple question but I bet nearly everyone reading this right now has been guilty of losing sight of this. I know I have. It’s so easy to get frustrated and forget about the simplicity of the game, or forget about the simple love that you have for the game.

Nearly every year that passes, it probably gets a little bit harder to keep this idea in perspective and remember why you’re actually playing. When you’re little it’s easy, right? The game is just fun. You don’t really care about winning and losing. In reality, when you’re little it’s just awesome to be putting on a bunch of pads and some super cool looking skates and going out on the ice and ripping around and chasing after the puck. And hey, if that puck happens to come next to me I’m going to wack it as hard as I can.

Think about it, for the most part, we all started the same way. The game was so pure and fun. Our WHY was easy back then. It was fun to be on the ice and we didn’t have to worry about anything else. We didn’t have to worry about our record, or how many shifts we were getting, or how many points we were putting up, or what team we were going to make…. None of that stuff mattered. All that mattered was that we got to be on the ice and have the most fun possible for an hour.

Puts things in perspective a bit when you think back to days like that, doesn’t it?

I was guilty of it as a player.

My junior year of college I was healthy scratched out of the blue against the best team in the country. I was internally devastated when I saw that lineup get posted...do you think that I was thinking about my WHY when that happened? No way… I was thinking of every excuse in the book. Trying to justify the “dumb” decision that was made and started wallowing down the path of self pity and questioning why I was even wasting my time playing hockey.

Isn’t it amazing how one difficult obstacle can make you question everything in an instant? I had been playing hockey for over 20 years, it was my love and my passion, and because of one bad day I lost sight of all that. It’s sad, honestly.

It’s moments like that, that have helped guide me to where I am today and why I do what I do now with coaching and through Boost Hockey.

For me, it took me until my senior year to actually start realizing some of this stuff. My senior year, I decided that I was going to love every second of being a part of that team. It had been my goal since kindergarten to play college hockey and I needed to not waste another day. And thankfully, that’s what helped start me down this path of focusing on these ideas.

Realizing the importance of strengthening my mind, and realizing how far a strong mind could really take you.

And I’ve also realized that understanding your WHY is truly the foundation for it all of it.

It’s like this blog, my WHY for creating it is to impact the hockey world in a positive way and to bring a group of like minded people together to support and learn from one another so that way we can build not only better more mentally strong hockey players, but also better more successful people.

It literally is something that I look at and remind myself about every single day. It’s like that simple grounding factor. It keeps things in perspective and reminds me WHY I’m doing the things that I’m doing.

I coach hockey and run Boost Hockey because it allows me to coach people and make an impact. It, like I talked about earlier, gives me my purpose, which in turn keeps me motivated and driving forward.

So I’m going to ask you about it again. What is your WHY?

Why do you play hockey?

Now the beauty of this, is that there is no wrong or right answer to this question. And the answer can always change and keep evolving...whether that’s each year, or each season, or even every couple months. The important thing is to take some time and do some self reflection and really be able to give yourself an honest answer.

Conversely, while it’s totally relevant and important to hockey, it also has a huge carry over to real life. The simple lessons that we’ve been talking about in this lesson can all be used in everyday life. Think about it… why do you get up in the morning? If you’re in school...why do you go to school? If you’re a parent or a coach… why do you get up and go to work everyday? Why do you make the decisions that you make? Why are sacrificing so much for your players or kids?

I can tell you from personal experience that this has been one of the most powerful concepts I have ever learned in my entire life.

It’s amazing how clear life can become when you know why you’re doing something. Think of how many things in life you do, or get stuck in the routine of doing, without thinking about or knowing why you’re doing them.

It’s like me… why do I work so hard at the things I do? Why do I work so hard at Boost Hockey?

So I can help someone else who needs it. So I can make an impact on the hockey world and the world in general. That I can feel like I’m doing my part to make the world a better place. So that I can provide for my family. So that my kids can grow up proud of the work their dad does… That is my why…

It’s a little different when you think about it that way, isn’t it? Gives you a little extra push to get moving and make something of the day.

The power of understanding your WHY is amazing. I want you to capture it and use it every single day.

PLACES YOU MIGHT GET STUCK

This is a simple exercise and something that you all should be doing on a regular basis but, like with most things, there are a few places where you can get stuck.

1. You don’t give yourself a real honest answer. Isn’t it crazy how sometimes if we ask ourselves a question and we don’t have to share the answer with anyone, we still don’t always give the dead honest truth? It’s almost like we are embarrassed of the answer, or it’s like we’re trying to give the answer we think we should be giving instead of what we’re really feeling. Plain and simple, don’t do that. Just realize that there is no right or wrong answer and just be completely honest with yourself. If you play hockey because it makes you confident… perfect. If you play because hockey is the one place where you feel like you can be yourself… perfect. Literally, the answer can be anything as long as you’re being honest with yourself.

2. You don’t reevaluate your WHY. We all evolve as people and our needs and priorities change over time. That’s ok and actually a good thing. But your WHY as a 10 year old and as a 17 year old might be completely different.

3. Fill out the worksheet and review your WHY. It’s like most things in life, you’re only going to get out of it what you put into it. So if you spend 20 minutes today thinking about it and filling out what your WHY is and then lose the worksheet or put it in a place that you never see it or think about it, is it really going to help you when you need it? No, of course not. Commit to being better and sticking to the process.

4. You only try and  think about your WHY when things are going bad. If you remember my story about getting healthy scratched my junior year of college, this is an exact reason it’s a bad idea. Of course, if times are getting tough then you’ll want to review your WHY and help you put perspective on the situation and limit the amount of frustration you’re feeling. But, speaking from experience, don’t just rely on it when things are bad. Get in the habit of consciously thinking about these things everyday and if your experience is like mine, your mindset will begin to shift and the number of frustrating or daunting experiences will start to diminish.