It's been a while (almost a calendar year) since I even attempted to post something here.
That is my private shame. I had switched organizations, went back to the boys game for a brief respite... saw things hadn't changed, (I actually have two or three drafts about that experience that I never posted...) and quite honestly will never change.
Landed on my feet with my current team - had a very interesting year with that group of talented young women, got initiated and recruited to start a training branch for the Selects Hockey Group here in Canada (see website) and now one very long and rambling sentence later, find myself here in Iceland coaching a group of 96/97 young women in a tournament.
I'm not sure if my head is spinning from the sheer weight of all that has happened this past season or if the jet lag is really playing tricks on my mind and body.
It is 3:15 am GMT (11:15 pm EST) as I make this entry. Honestly - I could swear my watch said 6 am. I sit in front of my computer and type wondering how I am actually going to last through such a long day.
The agenda itself is a killer for the kids so, just think of yours truly limping along behind.
Iceland - Day 1:
We land in Reykjavik at 6 am local time (four hours difference for you keeping count!), get out luggage, pack onto a bus and head to the hotel. We are instructed to shove some breakfast into our faces as we are on a non-stop odyssey from here on in today. They were right.
We hit the ice at 10 am with a group of players I have never met and no nothing about. This should be fun. Nothing overwhelming, let's just get moving. Put them through some drills that will show what level their skill is. Not really a fair assessment as they are probably as stiff as I am.
They warm up and start to look better by the time I let them scrimmage for a few minutes at the end.
Then back to the hotel to (hopefully) check in... easier said than done. Some of us are successful, some not. That's unfortunate. Everyone seems in good spirits though.
The rest of the day is blur - a buffet lunch which included an a-la-carte choice of Horse Tenderloin - we chose the buffet for those wondering with pork, chicken, pasta and salad. There was this delicious Fish Stew as a side that was almost worth the price of admission.
Back to the bus... not quite, a couple of girls have wandered... track them down - then get on the bus and travel back to the hotel to finish checking in... then off to the Geothermal bathing pool. Outdoors in April in Iceland... sorry not this cowboy, not this time. I intend to survive this trip (if it kills me!).
Reykjavíkurs get very upset by dirty tourists in their nice, clean pools (for good reason - the city's pools are free of chemicals). To avoid causing huge offence, visitors must wash thoroughly without a swimsuit before hopping in.
Please note, these are girls, 13-14 years old, some from Canada, some from the US and the tradition and ritual took them by surprise... one player passed her story on quite dramatically which made it even more funny to me... Random, off-beat and often off-colour - that's me, they'll get to know that before long...
Tried a hot dog from a local stand outside the pool... it was good but certainly not like the street meat from home. Ah, good old Spyros and his "dollah-50" hot dogs... mmm mmm good!
Back to the hotel... lay down for 15 minutes... get up - back on the bus - back into town for a quick dinner and then thankfully - bed. The rest as they say is now history...
I had a good sleep (passed out) and thought I awoke refreshed... this is true, unfortunately it is at 2:30 am - not 6 like I thought... oh well why change the routine now? Breakfast is in 90 minutes, I am shaved, showered and ready to go...
Why isn't anyone else?
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Ramblings v.1.5
Just a couple of thoughts on things that have happened in the last few days...
First, I spent an enjoyable weekend watching the best young female players in our province play for gold in the OWHA IAA Provincials. The skill and speed that I saw in the games at this level just reinforces my posting earlier that we have nothing to worry about moving forward. Whether it be at the U-18, U-22 and the national level.
This whole weekend cost me nothing but my travel to and from the arena - NO GATE FEES.
Team Canada from a national standpoint is getting younger - and not a moment too soon... while some of the young women I saw this weekend hone their skills at the next level, the future seems to be safe in the hands of Agosta, Johnston, Bonhomme, Ward, Philip-Poulin, Vaillancourt and Irwin - not to mention being very sound in goal with the addition and subsequent promotion of Shannon Szabados. The bridge between today's and tomorrow's stars is quite secure.
Should be a very good game on Thursday evening... I know who I'm voting for...
Not-So-Rosy Viewpoint:
I am trying to NOT be like every one else and being overly critical of the selections on the men's team. You nod your head and shrug when the topic is raised. A sound roster to be sure, even some of the American media were critical of the US selections - too young - was the term I heard over and over. Young was in our faces almost the entire night on Sunday.
There is something to be said for "youthful enthusiasm" and I'll go on record again by saying that superior (spectacular) goaltending is the key to winning a tournament like this. Has the entire hockey world or the red and white chest beaters been living under a rock this season? Maybe it's because we live so close to Buffalo that we see him play and hear about his exploits more often but - Ryan Miller is the REAL DEAL. The Laffs especially know it and have known it for the last four seasons or so. The guy is flat-out awesome.
As for "youthful enthusiasm" - who carried the play in the third period when given the chance? The young guns - Crosby, Nash, Keith and Weber - with a healthy dose of Iginla's hard nosed board play. More Toews, Seabrook and Doughty - LET THEM PLAY MIKE!!!!
Am I the only one who sees that a trend is apparent here? Thornton's line has remained intact, besides Heatley - and been quite ineffective. Getzlaf has had more than ample opportunity to put up numbers and continues to try and make the fancy play instead of just playing the game with some passion. This guy hangs his wingers out to dry so often, it makes my head spin.
Strangely, and I am by no means a Sid the Kid flag waver, Crosby has had a never ending shuffle scenario go on around him. Maybe put Sid with Nash and Heatley, or Sid with Marleau and Heatley - the list goes on. Here's an idea: let Crosby play with a consistent set of wingers for longer than a couple of shifts?
Getzlaf and Perry won a cup with Babcock - loyalty factor here - Thornton's line is a dud so far and yet they are out on the first unit of EVERY power play - when only Heatley is deserving of this honour.
Is there a subconscious trend here that may lead back to last year's Cup final? I hope not.
I also hope the supporting cast of coaches are not too old to see who is playing well and REALLY trying despite the distractions and lack of cohesion but, I fear I may have hit the nail on the head.
Fact - the US beat us with youth and speed - two of the Canadian veterans did not deserve a shift in the final two periods but, there they were time and again. Fact - the coaches who support Babcock have a reputation for being stubborn and set in their ways - maybe they are too old and loyal to admit that the torch needs to be passed NOW or we (Canada) will be crying in our beer for the next four years.
At this point, do we really have anything to lose? Your call Mike...
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Do I dare say it? O-V and the Russians Wednesday evening. Oh yeah - Sid did it...
First, I spent an enjoyable weekend watching the best young female players in our province play for gold in the OWHA IAA Provincials. The skill and speed that I saw in the games at this level just reinforces my posting earlier that we have nothing to worry about moving forward. Whether it be at the U-18, U-22 and the national level.
This whole weekend cost me nothing but my travel to and from the arena - NO GATE FEES.
Team Canada from a national standpoint is getting younger - and not a moment too soon... while some of the young women I saw this weekend hone their skills at the next level, the future seems to be safe in the hands of Agosta, Johnston, Bonhomme, Ward, Philip-Poulin, Vaillancourt and Irwin - not to mention being very sound in goal with the addition and subsequent promotion of Shannon Szabados. The bridge between today's and tomorrow's stars is quite secure.
Should be a very good game on Thursday evening... I know who I'm voting for...
Not-So-Rosy Viewpoint:
I am trying to NOT be like every one else and being overly critical of the selections on the men's team. You nod your head and shrug when the topic is raised. A sound roster to be sure, even some of the American media were critical of the US selections - too young - was the term I heard over and over. Young was in our faces almost the entire night on Sunday.
There is something to be said for "youthful enthusiasm" and I'll go on record again by saying that superior (spectacular) goaltending is the key to winning a tournament like this. Has the entire hockey world or the red and white chest beaters been living under a rock this season? Maybe it's because we live so close to Buffalo that we see him play and hear about his exploits more often but - Ryan Miller is the REAL DEAL. The Laffs especially know it and have known it for the last four seasons or so. The guy is flat-out awesome.
As for "youthful enthusiasm" - who carried the play in the third period when given the chance? The young guns - Crosby, Nash, Keith and Weber - with a healthy dose of Iginla's hard nosed board play. More Toews, Seabrook and Doughty - LET THEM PLAY MIKE!!!!
Am I the only one who sees that a trend is apparent here? Thornton's line has remained intact, besides Heatley - and been quite ineffective. Getzlaf has had more than ample opportunity to put up numbers and continues to try and make the fancy play instead of just playing the game with some passion. This guy hangs his wingers out to dry so often, it makes my head spin.
Strangely, and I am by no means a Sid the Kid flag waver, Crosby has had a never ending shuffle scenario go on around him. Maybe put Sid with Nash and Heatley, or Sid with Marleau and Heatley - the list goes on. Here's an idea: let Crosby play with a consistent set of wingers for longer than a couple of shifts?
Getzlaf and Perry won a cup with Babcock - loyalty factor here - Thornton's line is a dud so far and yet they are out on the first unit of EVERY power play - when only Heatley is deserving of this honour.
Is there a subconscious trend here that may lead back to last year's Cup final? I hope not.
I also hope the supporting cast of coaches are not too old to see who is playing well and REALLY trying despite the distractions and lack of cohesion but, I fear I may have hit the nail on the head.
Fact - the US beat us with youth and speed - two of the Canadian veterans did not deserve a shift in the final two periods but, there they were time and again. Fact - the coaches who support Babcock have a reputation for being stubborn and set in their ways - maybe they are too old and loyal to admit that the torch needs to be passed NOW or we (Canada) will be crying in our beer for the next four years.
At this point, do we really have anything to lose? Your call Mike...
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Do I dare say it? O-V and the Russians Wednesday evening. Oh yeah - Sid did it...
Friday, February 19, 2010
Back In The Saddle
Over the last few months my postings have become non-existent, there are reasons - not excuses, why this is. I have at least three posts I never published and have deleted because they were so full of anger - I thought better of posting them and in the long run, that is the wisest choice I could have made.
This season has been a long and arduous journey. I always told my teams that a bit of adversity is good for the soul - I have learned that the hard way this season.
Enough about the past - on to the future.
Several things have happened in the last few weeks so I'll just restrict myself to short vignette form (unless I decide to change the format half way through... my blog - my rules.)
The last couple of weeks have been very pleasant and something that I miss a great deal. Whether by plan or by accident, my favourite times are when I see a player, parent or family from my past teams.
I could run into them in an arena (a LOT) or anywhere in the city or beyond. This has happened several times over the last few weeks.
Priceless Pleasures (to me)
Taking the time to sit down to a meal with people who are every bit a part of my life and extended family. The time spent is the greatest pleasure I can get - anytime...
Running into people and having the time to speak to them... Brilliant.
Whether it is by chance or design - the time spent is so important and valuable to me. The connection, the bond we have - always will have is something that is forged in sport and continues for a lifetime... if you want it.
Seeing young people grow up and reach the potential you always knew they had. Fantastic.
Watching a former player's face light up when you happen to see them. The genuine open exchange of stories and experiences - the time really does fly by. Having them bubble over with excitement and feel the passion in what they are working towards, makes me proud to be the one listening.
Lastly:
It has come to my attention this week that a former player of mine has become a mother. That can make anyone feel old. Congratulations and best wishes to all.
One little snippet of advice: We are entering the silly season again - think of others first and be compassionate when explaining the circumstances of the process. It can make all the difference.
Leaving now...
The future of our sport is as bright as it has ever been. There is an abundance of skill in both the male and female game to keep us in the spot as THE Hockey power for many years to come.
Be proud of who you are and never lose sight of what you can become - the future is always bright and within your control.
Later.
This season has been a long and arduous journey. I always told my teams that a bit of adversity is good for the soul - I have learned that the hard way this season.
Enough about the past - on to the future.
Several things have happened in the last few weeks so I'll just restrict myself to short vignette form (unless I decide to change the format half way through... my blog - my rules.)
The last couple of weeks have been very pleasant and something that I miss a great deal. Whether by plan or by accident, my favourite times are when I see a player, parent or family from my past teams.
I could run into them in an arena (a LOT) or anywhere in the city or beyond. This has happened several times over the last few weeks.
Priceless Pleasures (to me)
Taking the time to sit down to a meal with people who are every bit a part of my life and extended family. The time spent is the greatest pleasure I can get - anytime...
Running into people and having the time to speak to them... Brilliant.
Whether it is by chance or design - the time spent is so important and valuable to me. The connection, the bond we have - always will have is something that is forged in sport and continues for a lifetime... if you want it.
Seeing young people grow up and reach the potential you always knew they had. Fantastic.
Watching a former player's face light up when you happen to see them. The genuine open exchange of stories and experiences - the time really does fly by. Having them bubble over with excitement and feel the passion in what they are working towards, makes me proud to be the one listening.
Lastly:
It has come to my attention this week that a former player of mine has become a mother. That can make anyone feel old. Congratulations and best wishes to all.
One little snippet of advice: We are entering the silly season again - think of others first and be compassionate when explaining the circumstances of the process. It can make all the difference.
Leaving now...
The future of our sport is as bright as it has ever been. There is an abundance of skill in both the male and female game to keep us in the spot as THE Hockey power for many years to come.
Be proud of who you are and never lose sight of what you can become - the future is always bright and within your control.
Later.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)