Hockey season is here. Actually, I'm not completely certain that it ever quite goes away. The so called off season might have been those three days in mid July. Certainly no more than three and never more than two days in a row. Now-a-days parents enlist their budding stars in all types of summer hockey adventures that make my childhood experiences look downright amateurish. Howie Meeker was the cock of the walk in St. John's hockey circles in the 1970's. After all, Howie had played with the Leafs during the Original 6 era of the NHL and he was the league's rookie of year. So why is it that my only recollection of him is getting a hockey stick to the behind every time I skated over the blue line during drills? He pretty well did it to all of us kids. Gosh darn Howie, that smarted! I just don't think it made me any smarter.
I went to the rink a few nights ago to watch some of the kids who I had coached during the past few years. It was a big night. Final selections were being made for the top all star teams for the 11 and 12 year old hockey players from all over the greater St. John's area. As I walked into the tin can covered arena, I felt like I was back in my playing hey days of the 70's and 80's. The tension was so thick that I could see it hanging just below the rafters. I could have sworn it was just like the blue cloud that I grew up playing under and had no choice but to suck those toxins into my lungs. The blue cloud of the "good old days" was from cigarettes and what ever else patrons smoked. In any event, the cloud in the rink a few nights ago wasn't one of smoke. It was a gigantic tension cloud that wasn't emanating from the players, but from the parents. For many, their hopes, dreams and aspirations were skating before their eyes. The pressure being imposed seemed unbearable, certainly too heavy for such young skaters to bear. I know I played hockey when I was a kid. I'm just not sure if the kids I saw the other night will ever truly get to "play" the game.
I have stepped away from the game. A few years ago I stopped playing and this year I won't be coaching. I think the time away will be good. I was recently asked to coach and the person asking pretty much "had me at hello" and I said yes. But a few hours of sober thought made me change my mind. I would like to add my two cents on coaching.
Today's hockey coaches are equipped with the best of courses, equipment, and training videos. Our world is so much smaller today and it seems that the a former professional coach can be found toiling in just about any rink in every city, town and hamlet across the country.
It would seem that anyone can be a hockey coach if they so choose. A minor hockey coach doesn't get paid and the job requires an exorbitant amount of time, dedication, patience, passion, compassion, toughness, thick skin, short memory...... Need I go on? That's the kicker though. How many of you can honestly say you have these qualities or even know many who do?
A large percentage of people have no business being behind the bench. No amount of internet queries to find the latest and greatest drills for practices or listening to a coaching podcast on the merits of employing the 1-2-2 or 1-3-1 power play during games will ever change that. The game has too many coaches that are there for the wrong reasons, often selfish ones. Executives, parents and even young players see through the facade, yet, most often, nothing is done. (It sort of reminds me of my career in the RCMP and how I saw many problems arise because management and supervisors abdicated the responsibility that came with that role.)
Hockey people all need to talk a collective breathe. It is a great game. Give it back to the kids. Perhaps Howie Meeker had just the remedy for those that dare mess with it. Although even Howie may be hesitant for fear of breaking off the hockey stick of today. Those baby's cost $300 each.
I'll leave you with one of my favourite expressions and one that any kid who I have coached should know quite well: "There are those who play hockey and there are hockey players."
