Change is in the Air
Change is in the air. The season is winding down. Everyone can't help but to think about next season. The urge is natural. How you go about it can make a difference on whether it's healthy or destructive.
At this point in time more than half of you aren't happy this things. That means you are looking for a change. Before you go too far start asking your player either direct or indirect questions about what he/she thinks. Half of the third line kids know they belong on third line and enjoy playing with the kids they do. They are not looking for change. They are just happy to be on the team. Be careful before you move them. Not all kids dream of D1, many just want to play with their friends. Before making an off-season move, make sure your player is fully on board with the plan if they are a peewee or older. If not, your kid might end up in the youth hockey quit statistics.
Let's assume you and your player are in agreement, it is time to move on. Where you go is undoubtedly a big and often difficult decision. The right choice is right only for your family. I strongly suggest making the decision as a family, but leave teammates out of it. Deciding to play where someone is playing is a setup for failure. Also, take a hard honest look at why you have decided to move on. My experience tells me that if you were a third liner this season it's important to find a team where junior can play on first or second line. Similarly, if junior has been a first liner he might be ready to move up, but be prepared. Kids moving up usually don't get the benefit of the doubt and have to work twice as hard to earn more playing time. Set proper expectations before making the leap.
When I started MYHockey I didn't have a clue about the east coast prep school thing. Dozens of emails later I'm still not sure I understand east coast midget/prep hockey but I'm learning. I know many schools start sending accept/reject letters in early March. Best of luck if that includes you. All I have to say is "wow!" I spent some time recently surfing some sites after an email asked me for my opinion. As that person now knows, I don't know enough to offer anyone advice. My generic advice that will help virtually no one (because they already know this much) is be honest with yourself and your family and do your homework.
Coaches, please be careful this time of year. I have no problem with you making list of players: keepers, maybes, nots. I know you are committing the sin in violation of the 11th commandment, "though shall not covet thigh neighbors players." I personally think coveting is natural and not evil in and of itself. It's what you do about it. First, the season is not over and all current players deserve respect and fairness. Don't start telling parents who will be cut next year. Don't start talking to next season prospects until their season is complete. That includes my Ontario friends. I find your mid-season habit of recruiting unethical and just plain wrong. I truly believe most of you have the common sense and decency to do what is right. Just because someone else is unethical is no justification for you to follow their lead.
Whether a player or coach, shopping around now and doing your homework can pay dividends later, I just ask that you are careful.
That said, best of luck to everyone. Please remember to give your team everything you have until the last day of the season. It's not only the right thing to do, but will put you that much closer to reaching your goals next season.
At this point in time more than half of you aren't happy this things. That means you are looking for a change. Before you go too far start asking your player either direct or indirect questions about what he/she thinks. Half of the third line kids know they belong on third line and enjoy playing with the kids they do. They are not looking for change. They are just happy to be on the team. Be careful before you move them. Not all kids dream of D1, many just want to play with their friends. Before making an off-season move, make sure your player is fully on board with the plan if they are a peewee or older. If not, your kid might end up in the youth hockey quit statistics.
Let's assume you and your player are in agreement, it is time to move on. Where you go is undoubtedly a big and often difficult decision. The right choice is right only for your family. I strongly suggest making the decision as a family, but leave teammates out of it. Deciding to play where someone is playing is a setup for failure. Also, take a hard honest look at why you have decided to move on. My experience tells me that if you were a third liner this season it's important to find a team where junior can play on first or second line. Similarly, if junior has been a first liner he might be ready to move up, but be prepared. Kids moving up usually don't get the benefit of the doubt and have to work twice as hard to earn more playing time. Set proper expectations before making the leap.
When I started MYHockey I didn't have a clue about the east coast prep school thing. Dozens of emails later I'm still not sure I understand east coast midget/prep hockey but I'm learning. I know many schools start sending accept/reject letters in early March. Best of luck if that includes you. All I have to say is "wow!" I spent some time recently surfing some sites after an email asked me for my opinion. As that person now knows, I don't know enough to offer anyone advice. My generic advice that will help virtually no one (because they already know this much) is be honest with yourself and your family and do your homework.
Coaches, please be careful this time of year. I have no problem with you making list of players: keepers, maybes, nots. I know you are committing the sin in violation of the 11th commandment, "though shall not covet thigh neighbors players." I personally think coveting is natural and not evil in and of itself. It's what you do about it. First, the season is not over and all current players deserve respect and fairness. Don't start telling parents who will be cut next year. Don't start talking to next season prospects until their season is complete. That includes my Ontario friends. I find your mid-season habit of recruiting unethical and just plain wrong. I truly believe most of you have the common sense and decency to do what is right. Just because someone else is unethical is no justification for you to follow their lead.
Whether a player or coach, shopping around now and doing your homework can pay dividends later, I just ask that you are careful.
That said, best of luck to everyone. Please remember to give your team everything you have until the last day of the season. It's not only the right thing to do, but will put you that much closer to reaching your goals next season.
