Reflections on a Season Past, News, Atom LL1, 2012-2013 (Oro Thunder Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2012-2013 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Apr 08, 2013 | jrobinson | 1525 views
Reflections on a Season Past
Thanks for the memories...read forward to the story

After a fun and successful season,I thought it important to reflect on some of the people and moments that made it so.

 

Every season starts anew with excitement and hopes mixed with trepidation; the latter of learning names and greeting new faces.. some of whom will be in charge of your children

I can't say stepping into such an important role wasn't daunting for all that and one other reason...I had only seen icetime about thirty times in thirty years.

Having played the game enthusiastically in my youth as part of a hockey family and having never stopped following/loving the game with passion, gave me enough nerve to give it a shot.

I was confident, however, of my job as a father, and simply decided to speak to and teach your children as I have mine.

I'm glad I did.

 

Timekeeping/Scorekeeping was always the last thing on my mind heading to the rink each gameday with much to learn,but thankfully the team Moms were always there to fill the void.

Laura H, Jo Ellen R and Carlayne G always stepped up without asking and accepted the responsibility. You miss a lot of the game in such a position and never get to relax and enjoy watching the team. Kudos ladies.

Also thanks to Jo for handling the webmaster duties and keeping scores posted each game.

 

I learned quickly that many parents already had team duties and positions beyond our Atoms..and our coaching staff was no exception.

Pete, Aaron, Gerald, Ian and Chris worked with their son's team's and yet somehow managed both without complaint ...very impressive to a guy that was struggling with one. Thanks to Gerald for being Ass't Trainer and Ian for always being eager to help, on and off the ice. Also to Terry  who looked after water each game and on ice whenever needed.

 

To Pete G, our Manager, also Coach and League Treasurer..thank-you for your guidance, friendship and laughs.You always knew when to lighten the room.(pretty much every game)

 

To Aaron, our Trainer..thank-you for the toughest job on staff.

As mentioned at tourney, it takes great courage to accept the responsibility of Trainer. You were always there for us, even when Owen was hurt. Truly exceptional dedication.

 

To our other Head Coach..Chris E.

Hard to know where to start and end.

You guided both Atom teams from the start, and were the rudder on two ships without Captains.

I admired the ease with which you would run a practice, and communicate so clearly and succinctly. Would run the show when life got in the way, always with a "not a problem"

Readily available to give advice or simply let me bounce thoughts off you.

Your natural leadership and hockey expertise allowed me to grow comfortably into the role,and for that I am in your debt.

 

I look forward to working with all of you again, should you be willing.

 

 

I have a coaching philosophy developed by watching my brother ,who was an incredible hockey player from early on,slowly lose his love for the game from demands placed too high at an impressionable age.

Some of those demands came from his only,older brother, who had a more aggressive style/personality. Most came from coaches that often crossed lines.

 

My philosophy on a coach's priorities goes as follows;

 

1) "Improve confidence and self-esteem by accentuating the positive."

Each player,no matter how difficult a game played,does something positive.

Find it and express it.

If improved self-esteem is the only thing gleaned from a season, it's a job well done.

2) "Encourage hard work and attention to detail "

Be positive, raise voice encouragingly, show you care. Talk with kids one on one.They appreciate the extra effort and attention. I believe it important to encourage good work habits in life, so we plant the seeds now.

3) "Fundamentals"

Individual improvement is critical to team success.

Skating is number one and always the main focus.

With varying degrees of skill, it is difficult to keep all enthused with skills previously "mastered" to this level.(ie shooting/passing)

Extra work at home can make a huge difference.

Best fundamental improvement we saw this year was from taking Terry R`s shooting contest idea and running with it.

4) "Make it fun"

This can take many forms...from shoot-outs, scrimmages to competitions.

Joking around/not always being serious.

As Coach Chris rightly reminded in the playoffs.."winning is fun" too. More of #2 equals more of #4

But over a long season, it's easy to lose enthusiasm without some sugar.

5) "Winning"

It`s easy to lose focus on the above when # 5 isn`t falling into place.

Not everybody can win, but it is often a by-product of the above.

And yet sometimes it just isn't there, and one has to accept that.

Coaches can be guilty of confusing ego with performance...I felt the pressure of losing mid season and felt responsible. One has to remind one's self that a coach can only squeeze so much from the boys without becoming too demanding/over the top.

Never scold to the level of humiliation simply to squeeze an extra 10 or 20 percent.

Its never worth it, and can destroy the more important efforts on #1 (& 4)
We witnessed other teams employ strategies not really part of the game,all in order to win.
Leaving players stationed on the offensive blueline for long bomb passes. Using accidental on purpose body contact. Running up scores to ensure goal differential tie breakers.
We always tried to teach the boys the right way to play,and let the chips fall where they may.
As my father,who was the best coach I ever had, used to say.." when you lose say little, when you win say less"
Wise words Dad.

While we ramped up the intensity at seasons end,I don't believe we ever crossed "the line"
I am pleased to say my sons first two years in Oro Hockey were extemely positive,thanks to the coaches. 
Here's wishing the new generation doesn't repeat the mistakes of old.

 

Thanks for indulging my thoughts on the subject as I feel very strongly about them.
There are many things in life I don't take as seriously as most, but parenting and being responsible for other's children are not one of them. They are of paramount importance.
Far from perfect, nobody is...but I tried my best. Not unlike the boys,I know this coach has room for improvement and will try harder in the future to be better.

 

Finally...to the boys;

Simply put...I hope you had as much fun as I did being part of the Oro Thunder Atom LL1 this year.You are all to one, unique and remarkable young men.

 

To #1 Coulter T; your smile and happiness lit up the room each day...as did your play between the pipes. Simply outstanding player,teammate and young man.

To #5 Eric D; remarkable respect, intelligence and attention to detail. A thinking man's hockey player.Great talent that improved to a dominant level....and a true leader both on and off ice.

To #8 Aidan C; From a boy who had trouble skating first day to one of our strongest players...all in a season. Best practice effort all year and dekes I`m still looking for. Unbelievable ascendance.

To #9 Owen G; Great skating and work in the corners, with a pass first mentality. Like Dad, exceptional dedication to the team. Perhaps our fastest backwards skater. Quiet intensity.

To #10 Owen H; Our Captain. Scoring dynamo. Smooth as silk with a deadly shot. Your last half dozen games showed the most complete play all season. Thanks "Cappy"

To #11 Eric S; The Speedster. The Playmaker. The guy who never did a push-up!(too fast)
Your quick changes are stuff of legend..and your personality and politeness were very welcomed.

To #12 Gibby G; "Showtime" Always brought to games what he left at practice ;) Great hands and knack to score big goals. Cool hat. Better smile. Best passer.

To #14 Connor L; "Big D" Solid, dependable defense. Vocal in the room. Learned to rush effectively with an improved, accurate wrist shot. Determined, with consistent best effort. A genuine, natural leader.

To #16 Maguire R; Simply dominant on D....and led the corps. Tower of Power with fantastic wrist shot. Quiet, stoic, tough as nails and displayed leadership on ice every game. Looking forward to body contact ;)

To #17 Jacob E ; Smooth,effortless skating. Excellent puck handling,with accurate shot. Played out of position without complaint. Vocal, exuberant, positive leader. Future Captain.

To #19 Jacob N; Intensity. Fearlessness. Strong skating two way play, with excellent hard shot.Played every position but goalie(he asked)Loves the game,the refs not so much.Me too some games Jacob ;)

To #30 Hayden G ; Fantastic reflex goaltender. Emerged as a Tower of Power (ful) defender by season's end.Incredible student who absorbed all messages delivered. Perhaps the most vocal leader in the room that often spoke for coaches. Another exceptional young man who will be missed.

To #7 Ty O; Excellent effort each practice. Solid skating backchecker/forechecker who made nice passes. Very improved wrist shot/backhand. Push-up King.
Plays the game for the love of a father. Not needed son.

 

 

There were many highlights this season, here are but a few;

The Penetang game where the boys were shorthanded/hardly came off the ice, yet kept the score tied to near end when they finally ran out of gas.

The excellent effort by Carlayne to organize a Christmas Family fund; I trust it helped the boys realize how lucky they are, and the importance of helping those less fortunate.

The Collingwood playoff game where we witnessed Eric D pass on a breakaway to set up another...followed by Owen H doing similar and Aidan asking to play with one boy to "set him up for a goal". That was the day I realized we had truly arrived... we were "a team",caring for one another.

Osprey was every bit our equal, yet desire to compete and overcome as "a team" made the difference and enabled victory.

 

As I said to the boys at season's end, they, and all of you, have helped make this one of the best years of my life.
I have to thank my wife Shawna,and daughter Carly for their patience and allowing Dad to spend as much time as he did focussed on our team. I missed a lot of my daughter's first year hockey achievements, and yet she understood I had made a commitment to our team.... I'm very lucky to have you both. 

I'll always look back on this season fondly and it may prove impossible to replicate the emotions felt.

Working with the boys and enjoying their happiness vicariously was so much fun...you feel like a kid again!

If you have considered being a coach, but are reluctant for some reason, don't be;

Remain positive and you will get far more back than ever put in.

 

This was a Championship Season..and for many a first.

Really though,that was just the icing on the cake.

As a result of everyone's efforts, from parents to the players..... it was the journey that proved sweetest.

Here's wishing everyone a great summer

Sincerely

Coach Greg

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