SEPTEMBER TUESDAY TIMEOUTS
FROM NCYH HOCKEY DIRECTORS
 

"BREATH OF FRESH AIR" by Scott Swanson
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Here's my first edition -- I'll do better in November.

Time to shine up that Pulitzer -- The Tuesday Timeouts are back, and my Colorado College education, which basically taught me how to think, how to put up with women who are allergic to the razor, and how to manage my time, gets to shine through. Please forgive the previous run-on sentence, but how else do you write two ten-page papers and a 25 page paper in three and a half weeks? It's not like I went to Wisconsin, where three consecutive words equates to a thesis... that's for both of those Badger families in our association who try to torment my by wearing red and white to every practice. BTW... I did a little research -- The Tigers won 2 out of 3 of their games against the Red Rodents from '95-'99, and when you mix in a couple of ties during that stretch, it's clear that CC wasn't taking a back seat to Madison (except in the party scene!).  Hey DU fans -- you're next!  (Can't spell DUmb without...)

I'm excited that my Squirt teams are under way. I've been asked by a lot of people why I chose to work with the young kids. There are lots of reasons, and the more I've worked with the high-school age kids, the more evident they become. First, they aren't interested in the opposite sex yet. I have never had a Squirt kid show up late for a game because he had to 1) Help pick out a prom dress, 2) Got in a fight with the girl over the prom dress, or 3) Was too crushed over the break up with the girl who won't be wearing the prom dress. Second, squirt kids learn very quickly. They soak up everything that you tell them (as many of you out there with foul mouths can attest) and they aren't afraid to try the techniques that we teach so they can get better. It's really fun to see their skills progress so quickly. Third, I LOVE that they rarely talk back to the coaches -- I realize that they don't think they know everything yet. I'm 38 and still waiting to know everything... I thought I did when I was in high school, but these kids are still a ways away from that stage yet. Finally, they seem to love the game which makes teaching them much more rewarding. It isn't a chore to get them to work hard.

Now if we could only get them to pay attention and focus on the game a little bit more instead of worrying about what's for dinner afterwards...

"UNDER 8 HOCKEY SEASON" by Tim Knox
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We are almost upon the start of the Under 8 hockey season and it has become a discussion in the office. We have been talking about some of the comments that have been made to each of us about some of the upstart U8 players in the organization these last few weeks.

For example one parent asked, "So is my son looking like he is ready for the show?" (show meaning the NHL). The coach's comment was, "He is only 8, let him have some fun." Another parent says, "OK, I have my son signed up for these camps and leagues... is there anything else I should be doing to help my son make it to the NHL?" We say, just let him be a kid. And here's one more, a player would like to play football as well as hockey and the parent asks the coach what he thinks. The coach replies, "Sure! You should let your son play as many sports as he can when he is young." The comment from the parent was "Well, hockey is what puts food on the table."

There are so many more... But  I would like to tell you about one of mine.

Many years ago I was coaching a travel mite team. We were a young U8 group with most players being 6 and 7 years old. However, our team also had a player who was 6 and in my eyes was an awesome player. Each game he played he would step on the ice, go get the puck, and no one could get it away from him. Each shift the same thing happened, however he would not go to the net and score. Instead, he would give the puck to the other team. After numerous times doing this I asked the player, "Every time you get the puck you and your teammates skate around with it for a while and then simply give it to the other team... Why?" He looked at me with a very serious face and said, "Coach, aren't we suppose to share? I figure we got plenty of time with it and we should let them play with it for a while." I had no comment -- that was one of those priceless moments. Here I was, the coach, being taught by a 6 year old.
 
Let's remember with the U8 season approaching how important it is for these players to enjoy this Wonderful Game that We All Love!

"FINALLY UNITED!!!" by Aaron Grosul
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I hope that all of you are excited about the coming season. Youth hockey in Northern Colorado has united finally! A few weeks into the season as a coach of the Bantam A and B teams I have seen the kids come together as one sharing one common interest, playing hockey. The kids have been hitting the ice excited, working hard, and striving to accomplish the same goals. Off the ice I am happy to see that all of our families are uniting as well.

Combining two associations will always have some growing pains that we will all work through together. As long we all have the best interest of the kids in mind, this season will be one of the best you and your family have had playing hockey.  After 6 years in this youth sport I have never been this excited to be at the rink working with the kids.  

I hope you all share the same feelings. See you around the rinks!

"LONG RIDE HOME..." by Rhett Gordon
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I was sitting around a campfire this summer with some old minor hockey friends. We all started talking about old games, moments in the hotel, and tournaments. Four out of the six guys then talked about the "long ride home." These stories went on and on throughout the night. As they talked I considered myself lucky because all my parents talked to me about was effort, being a good teammate, and how to act in a way that represents your team and association in the best possible way.

This is an exciting time of year with pre-season skates, tryouts, and the start of our leagues. Let's not let the highs get too high or the lows get too low. Hockey is a fantastic game with fantastic people! Let's have a great 2013-14 season and try to keep the "long rides home" to a minimum.