How To Deal With Pressure From Coaches, Parents, And Scouts In Youth Hockey

08/17/24 • 83 min

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli tackle the intense pressures young athletes face. Inspired by a letter from a concerned parent, they explore how pressures from coaches, parents, and scouts impact youth hockey players.
Lee and Mike begin by discussing what pressure means for kids and adults in the sport. They share real-world examples that highlight the emotional toll these pressures can have on young players. The discussion focuses on recognizing when pressure becomes harmful and how to manage it.
Key takeaways include the importance of building trust and understanding each player’s unique motivations. Effective communication is essential for alleviating pressure and fostering a supportive environment. Lee and Mike offer actionable advice for coaches and parents, emphasizing the importance of choosing organizations and coaches who prioritize player development.
The episode also explores the roles of those involved in player development, stressing that coaches shape young minds, and parents must balance pushing their kids while understanding their limits. Misconceptions about scouts are challenged, revealing that character and consistent effort often outweigh raw talent.
This episode underscores the invaluable life lessons learned in youth hockey—lessons that prepare players for challenges beyond the rink. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or scout, you’ll find practical tips to help create a positive environment for young athletes.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Pressure: Recognize when pressure becomes harmful to support both development and enjoyment of the game.
Building Trust: Establish trust with players from day one. Coaches should understand each player’s motivations to foster a supportive environment.
Parental Guidance: Frame challenges as growth opportunities rather than sources of stress.
Scouting Realities: Scouts value character and work ethic as much as on-ice performance.
Lifelong Lessons: Youth hockey’s ultimate goal is to develop well-rounded individuals who handle life’s pressures with resilience.

Join the conversation! Share your thoughts or stories by emailing us at [email protected] or connecting with us on our Facebook group, Our Kids Play Hockey. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with others who might benefit.

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🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

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Key Takeaways:

Understanding Pressure: Recognize when pressure becomes harmful to support both development and enjoyment of the game.
Building Trust: Establish trust with players from day one. Coaches should understand each player’s motivations to foster a supportive environment.
Parental Guidance: Frame challenges as growth opportunities rather than sources of stress.
Scouting Realities: Scouts value character and work ethic as much as on-ice performance.
Lifelong Lessons: Youth hockey’s ultimate goal is to develop well-rounded individuals who handle life’s pressures with resilience.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The PuckaroundTM Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!
Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!
Follow Us On Social Media:

Previous Episode

The Ride To The Rink - 7-Time Stanley Cup Champion and NHL Hall Of Famer Bryan Trottier

Welcome back, hockey skaters and goalies! On this special edition of The Ride to the Rink, we are honored to have a true hockey legend joining us—NHL Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier. As one of the top 100 NHL players of all time, Bryan has an impressive resume with seven Stanley Cups under his belt—six as a player and one as a coach. Today, he shares valuable insights on the importance of being resourceful in your training and how overcoming challenges can lead to success.

Key Takeaways:

•Resourcefulness Over Resources: Bryan emphasizes that success isn’t about having the best resources but being resourceful with what you have. Whether it’s practicing stick skills in a barn or finding ways to play in a remote community, it’s all about making the most of your situation.

•From Small Town to Big League: Growing up in Valmarie, Saskatchewan, a town with a population of just 250, Bryan faced many challenges, including homesickness and limited opportunities. Yet, he made it all the way to the NHL, proving that determination and resilience can take you far, no matter where you start.

•The Power of Community: Bryan talks about the importance of community and family support in achieving your goals. He draws parallels between his own upbringing and the close-knit indigenous communities he often visits, highlighting the shared values of teamwork, humility, and mentorship.

•Mentorship and Legacy: Bryan reflects on how mentors, whether they are parents, coaches, or teammates, have played a crucial role in his journey. He also discusses the significance of giving back and inspiring the next generation of hockey players.

•Inclusion and Representation: As a proud grandfather of seven granddaughters, Bryan is thrilled to see the increasing participation of girls in hockey. He applauds the efforts of female athletes who are paving the way for the next generation, including his own granddaughters.

Tune in to hear Bryan’s inspiring story and gain insight into what it takes to succeed in hockey and life. And don’t forget to check out his full episode on Our Kids Play Hockey, available now on all podcast platforms.

Thank you for joining us on The Ride to the Rink! Enjoy your day, enjoy your hockey, and always remember to keep skating.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The PuckaroundTM Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

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Next Episode

The Ride To The Rink - Chasing Your Hockey Dreams With Megan Bozek

In this episode of The Ride To The Rink, we sit down with Olympian and professional hockey player Megan Bozek to discuss the power of having dreams and the journey it takes to achieve them. Megan shares her personal story, from dreaming of playing college hockey to representing her country on the Olympic stage. She offers valuable advice for young athletes about the importance of setting goals, the reality of facing setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way.
Megan emphasizes that while not all dreams are guaranteed, the process of striving toward them shapes you into a better person, both on and off the ice. She talks about the importance of gratitude, recognizing the sacrifices made by those who support your journey, and how every step—whether forward or backward—is a learning experience.

Whether you’re a young athlete with big dreams or someone who supports them, this episode is full of wisdom on perseverance, resilience, and the value of the journey, regardless of the outcome.

Highlights:

The significance of having dreams at any age
Megan’s personal journey through the highs and lows of competitive hockey
The importance of gratitude towards those who help you along the way
The reality of not always achieving every dream and the lessons that come from it
Encouragement to pursue passions and dreams, even if they seem out of reach

Be sure to like and subscribe to Our Kids Play Hockey to hear all of our content and tune in for more inspiring stories and insights in upcoming episodes!

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The PuckaroundTM Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!
Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!
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Our Kids Play Hockey - How To Deal With Pressure From Coaches, Parents, And Scouts In Youth Hockey

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:57.722

Hey

Speaker 100:00:59.204

everybody , thanks for joining us on this edition . A quick summation of the episode you're about to listen to . Mike and I have just a tremendous conversation here about how to deal with the pressure from coaches , parents and scouts . It's based off of a letter we got from a parent and , I'm not gonna lie to you , this was one