09/03/2026
That time of year again!! Important post!!!!!
TRYOUT POST- Long but important
Some tryouts are well under way and some are just beginning, here are a few thoughts on how to prepare and cope with the stress of the process for parents and kids:
-PREPARATION
Have skates sharp, sticks taped and gear inventoried, arrive early with time to mentally be ready for what is ahead
- TRUST THE WORK THE PLAYER HAS PUT IN
The skill level in these young athletes is better than ever, you can't expect to make the top level without putting in the time to improve on and off the ice
- STANDOUT
Don't be a victim of "blending in" . Do things to get noticed, every time you are doing a drill, or every single shift in a scrimmage or exhibition game
- BODY LANGUAGE
Coaches will make tough decisions based on this more than you will think. Being coachable and a good teammate is a skill that is the most important and can be the difference between making the team or not. Slapping a stick or "blaming a teammate" for a mistake is a fast route to the cut list.
- BE ATTENTIVE
When a coach blows their whistle to speak with the group and set up a new drill, be there first and be ready to absorb and execute the drill
- NO EXCUSES
Hockey is a game of mistakes, it is how you react and accept responsibility that will define a player
IF SUCCESSFUL and make the team, be humble, show compassion for those who didn't make it. Continue the habits that earned you a spot and be coachable and a great teammate
IF NOT SUCCESSFUL
Accept responsibility and use it as fuel to get better and work harder to make it the next season. Coaches are in the business of winning and will take the players that they believe will help them win. Its not always the fastest, and most skilled. LOOK IN THE MIRROR and reflect on what you could have done differently to prepare. Less screentime and more practice. Stickhandling and shooting, stretching and things can be done on your own if you really want it. Watch Hockey, on TV or your local Junior team and emulate the players you admire.
PARENTS please do not immediately make excuses and blame the coach or evaluators for your child being Cut. Use it as a teaching tool and a way to have your child grow and understand the importance of work ethic, commitment and being a team player. Although politics does get involved, 99% of the time the team is picked fairly. Youth sports are a microcosm of life, these lessons at a young age are valuable and transition into school, the work place and will always be there.
WE put our children in sports to help them grow as people, it should not be stressful for the parents or kids. Our kids emulate us and if we make excuses and play the blame game, they will as well.
One last thought-
If your 9 year old doesn't make the top team, it isn't the end of the world. Ed Jovanovski didn't start playing hockey until he was 13 years old, 5 years later he was the 1st overall pick in the NHL draft.
Jon MacWilliams has been coaching and developing young athletes for the better part of 40 years.
09/01/2026
08/30/2026
08/26/2026
08/22/2026
08/22/2026
08/21/2026
08/21/2026