Fourth of July Commitment to Players and Camp
We would like to express our thanks for your commitment to the players and camp on the 4th of July. This is a time when most spend the day with family and we are fully aware of this. We have been in this business for over 40 years now. We have spent every one of those years at a camp and know full well the commitment it takes. We are proud we gave our time to work @ Bemidji, Shattuck and now the Brainerd Lakes Area.
It is extremely difficult to find people willing to “live a company and/or a cause”. Those of you who find a way to do this should be extremely proud, because it takes a special human being to make this commitment in life. We just want you to know that it does not go unnoticed.
We all know that young people are our greatest natural resource and we recognize that parents deserve a return on their investment. We are convinced we are a value paid; value received camp, but would not be without dedicated employees and the former campers that continue to support our program and facility.
We pride ourselves in respecting people for who they are, what they have been, what they can be, what we believe they can be and what they will not be.
So once again our only parade is the vans going up and down highway 371, the fireworks on the ice and in the training areas. It may be a commitment but it is also a great feeling because we are providing a service to young people who deserve and need it. Training is the one thing going that allows us to catch and pass our opponent in life and the game. All we ask is that you keep the vans around 55 miles per hour so all the passing cars read the logo; the hockey man that proudly represents MHC.
The real purpose of the Holiday is to celebrate the birthday of a great nation, honor our troops and the freedom they continue to protect so people like us can enjoy a “game”. Those who have served, treasure the opportunity and time spent.
With respect and gratitude for your commitment to our camp; have a proud 4th because of your commitment to youth that goes beyond any job description.
God Bless America and God Bless MHC.
Chuck & Clairene, Rob & Carol, Dino & Carrie Grillo, Joe & Sarah Ciardelli, Paul & Jan Elvin – Piper, Luke & Biscuit
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
LISTENING
LISTENING
Working Americans who ignore their hearing problems are losing at least $100 billion dollars a year in earnings. Even people with mild hearing loss, who may miss a consonant here or a word there, may lose income if they can't completely grasp the latest news at the water cooler or a phone message from the boss. Losses range from $1,000.00 per year to $12,000.00 per year.
Findings show that this figure can be cut in half by getting a proper hearing aid.
The more I deal with hockey players, and their unwillingness to listen and absorb advice regarding their personal make up, bottom line qualities, technical skills and tactical levels of play, I am convinced that these figures are pale in comparison to those who just refuse, or don't care, to listen. I wouldn't begin to guess the number of careers that are abruptly ended because of a player's failure to listen.
Hearing problems disrupt personal and family life, hamper emotional intimacy and increase the chances of psychological problems.
Similar statements can be made about failure or inability to listen. Team and organizational chemistry deteriorate or just do not happen. Teams become dysfunctional when it comes to commitment to caring about teammates, being a detail person and what is right. Blind spots become more noticeable and grow in number. The feet and hands will not work because the mind is not clear. People who do not listen to what is said, absorb what is said, and then apply this to their game, will not have a good feeling about themselves. They lose the respect of team management and their teammates and they can feel this.
Think about the correlation. If a hearing aid can solve hearing loss problems and ultimately get your life on track, I would have to believe that "listening, absorbing and applying" would do the same and more for a physically fit athlete's career.
Now we have just two "little" things that are easy to do. They are promptness and listening, and neither of them have anything to do with scoring big goals, making great plays, shooting, catching or passing pucks; but maybe they do. They do affect your mind and ultimately your game.
Every person is blessed with assets people can't teach. You are either born with these skills or acquire them from observing players on ice and emulating them. Use your assets to maximize what you already have earned in life and continue to approach life as a "no respect" guy, one who has to get up every morning to prove he belongs where a select few don't want you to be.
I write a lot of things, some of it to learn myself, and some of it to send to others. I would like to share a recent writing and follow up to that writing with you.
We had an athlete that had a super year. We were quick to tell him, "You are having a great first year that is far from over. Treasure the moment and use it as incentive to maximize your potential."
There are basically two types of athletes in this business "no respect" and "got it made". "No respect" and "got it made" people have to have the same mind set if they are to continue on the path to become what they, and others, believe they can be. One of them has a little tougher journey.Never forget your time on the bench or the wait to see if you will finally be drafted by some NHL team. Don't forget where you come from and how you feel about yourself, and your ability, as well as how others feel about you as a person and player. The most successful people in this game stay close and believe in those who care and believe in them.What type of confidence does it take to overcome a coach, scout or GM sitting you on the bench, failing to recognize your worth, failing to recognize your achievements or putting you on a fourth line when you know you are better? What type of confidence does it take to over come any situation you encounter that is similar to this? You will benefit from all kinds of experiences, but I would let the "no respect" mode handle both positives and negatives.
Bottom line is your success comes down to "they believe in you and you believe in them". If every mentor could get this across to their players, there would be a lot more success stories in life and athletics.Players feeding off 'no respect" is an easy thing to do when you have talent. Anxiety disappears when you prepare in life, so difficult situations are easy to over come and you welcome critical moment opportunities to excel. People who have to deal with "no respect" have to continue to prove they belong. They have to train year around and their game goes to unexpected levels because they are always trying to prove something to themselves and others.
This type of person is rarely satisfied because they know that with just one slip people who make decisions will say "I told you so." Why wouldn't a "got it made person" do the same?Coming from where I come from, I believe I've always got something to prove. I've reached levels I never imagined and I want to keep reaching. My biggest reach is "Peace of Mind" knowing I did the best with the talents that the Good Lord gave me to function on this earth. Have I done anything great? No! I've just gone beyond what others believed I was going to be.When I think about young people with a talent, those who are fortunate to have things going for themselves, I think back to all of those who let complacency and sophistication creep in to their lives and game because everything was going right. In most cases it is a sub-conscious thing that we don't even recognize is happening to us.How many times will you hear; "They were at the top of their game and they let it slip?" For this reason, I believe that those who have it going have to have the same mind set as those who have "no respect". They have to wake up every morning knowing that one slip and they could be in the "no respect" category, simply because life has a way of doing this to people. They have to wake up every morning to be what they can be, and they have to guard against complacency. Human nature takes over in the decision making process.
People in charge have their own style of managing and judging you. My wish is they are judging you with improvement on their mind. Once they make that judgment, they are no different than the next person. They will try and prove their assessment of you is correct. Now the road to success becomes more complicated, however, it is possible to prove people wrong. The good ones let you prove them wrong. An announcer choosing one player over another for a position on the team, or an all star team, will do anything to prove he is right. Conversely a coach or GM playing one player over another to make their team or a line will do anything to prove they are right.
Most athletes have to "pay a heck of price" to be what they can be in life. Very few are born to be there. Why would they risk losing what they worked so hard to achieve? Recognizing and appreciating how they got there is one sure way to insure that things will continue to go well for them. Paying a price in the off season is the other way to insure success. I could be pretty well satisfied with my life right now, and I could elect to take some form of retirement. I don't know that I will ever be satisfied with my life or my situation. Sometimes I wish I could change that part of me to make a better life for those around me. This is me and I have to enjoy being me before I can "help others help themselves" enjoy being what and who they are.The key words are "helping others help themselves". This means that no one is giving you a hand out in life or the game, no one is going to do it for you!
Live it and get it done! I think back to each Super Bowl Sunday. If you read all the clippings, there were super stars and great players on both teams, and both teams had a chance to win. I said before the game that there will be a best and the worst player on each team. Will the best be the one projected? Will the worst be the one projected? There will be a winner and a loser. Will the winner be the favorite to win? Bottom line, I would take pride in being the parent of the worst player on either team.There were two quarterbacks. One just happens to continue to approach life as a "no respect" guy even though he got rid of that label long ago. Who would guess that his eyes alone would be the difference between two great athletes? Who would guess that his ability to "look off and deceive" would be the difference in out playing one of his peers and prevailing?
This is just another reminder that sometimes tragedy creeps in with both success and failure. Purging negatives is a priority, but no more than purging positives to stay grounded. Keep the guard up and watch the outcome in future big games and then your career. Remember you were put on theis earth to validate and anoint yourself regardless of the beliefs, thoughts, reports and ratings of others. It will play out!
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email: chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights are reserved. No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Working Americans who ignore their hearing problems are losing at least $100 billion dollars a year in earnings. Even people with mild hearing loss, who may miss a consonant here or a word there, may lose income if they can't completely grasp the latest news at the water cooler or a phone message from the boss. Losses range from $1,000.00 per year to $12,000.00 per year.
Findings show that this figure can be cut in half by getting a proper hearing aid.
The more I deal with hockey players, and their unwillingness to listen and absorb advice regarding their personal make up, bottom line qualities, technical skills and tactical levels of play, I am convinced that these figures are pale in comparison to those who just refuse, or don't care, to listen. I wouldn't begin to guess the number of careers that are abruptly ended because of a player's failure to listen.
Hearing problems disrupt personal and family life, hamper emotional intimacy and increase the chances of psychological problems.
Similar statements can be made about failure or inability to listen. Team and organizational chemistry deteriorate or just do not happen. Teams become dysfunctional when it comes to commitment to caring about teammates, being a detail person and what is right. Blind spots become more noticeable and grow in number. The feet and hands will not work because the mind is not clear. People who do not listen to what is said, absorb what is said, and then apply this to their game, will not have a good feeling about themselves. They lose the respect of team management and their teammates and they can feel this.
Think about the correlation. If a hearing aid can solve hearing loss problems and ultimately get your life on track, I would have to believe that "listening, absorbing and applying" would do the same and more for a physically fit athlete's career.
Now we have just two "little" things that are easy to do. They are promptness and listening, and neither of them have anything to do with scoring big goals, making great plays, shooting, catching or passing pucks; but maybe they do. They do affect your mind and ultimately your game.
Every person is blessed with assets people can't teach. You are either born with these skills or acquire them from observing players on ice and emulating them. Use your assets to maximize what you already have earned in life and continue to approach life as a "no respect" guy, one who has to get up every morning to prove he belongs where a select few don't want you to be.
I write a lot of things, some of it to learn myself, and some of it to send to others. I would like to share a recent writing and follow up to that writing with you.
We had an athlete that had a super year. We were quick to tell him, "You are having a great first year that is far from over. Treasure the moment and use it as incentive to maximize your potential."
There are basically two types of athletes in this business "no respect" and "got it made". "No respect" and "got it made" people have to have the same mind set if they are to continue on the path to become what they, and others, believe they can be. One of them has a little tougher journey.Never forget your time on the bench or the wait to see if you will finally be drafted by some NHL team. Don't forget where you come from and how you feel about yourself, and your ability, as well as how others feel about you as a person and player. The most successful people in this game stay close and believe in those who care and believe in them.What type of confidence does it take to overcome a coach, scout or GM sitting you on the bench, failing to recognize your worth, failing to recognize your achievements or putting you on a fourth line when you know you are better? What type of confidence does it take to over come any situation you encounter that is similar to this? You will benefit from all kinds of experiences, but I would let the "no respect" mode handle both positives and negatives.
Bottom line is your success comes down to "they believe in you and you believe in them". If every mentor could get this across to their players, there would be a lot more success stories in life and athletics.Players feeding off 'no respect" is an easy thing to do when you have talent. Anxiety disappears when you prepare in life, so difficult situations are easy to over come and you welcome critical moment opportunities to excel. People who have to deal with "no respect" have to continue to prove they belong. They have to train year around and their game goes to unexpected levels because they are always trying to prove something to themselves and others.
This type of person is rarely satisfied because they know that with just one slip people who make decisions will say "I told you so." Why wouldn't a "got it made person" do the same?Coming from where I come from, I believe I've always got something to prove. I've reached levels I never imagined and I want to keep reaching. My biggest reach is "Peace of Mind" knowing I did the best with the talents that the Good Lord gave me to function on this earth. Have I done anything great? No! I've just gone beyond what others believed I was going to be.When I think about young people with a talent, those who are fortunate to have things going for themselves, I think back to all of those who let complacency and sophistication creep in to their lives and game because everything was going right. In most cases it is a sub-conscious thing that we don't even recognize is happening to us.How many times will you hear; "They were at the top of their game and they let it slip?" For this reason, I believe that those who have it going have to have the same mind set as those who have "no respect". They have to wake up every morning knowing that one slip and they could be in the "no respect" category, simply because life has a way of doing this to people. They have to wake up every morning to be what they can be, and they have to guard against complacency. Human nature takes over in the decision making process.
People in charge have their own style of managing and judging you. My wish is they are judging you with improvement on their mind. Once they make that judgment, they are no different than the next person. They will try and prove their assessment of you is correct. Now the road to success becomes more complicated, however, it is possible to prove people wrong. The good ones let you prove them wrong. An announcer choosing one player over another for a position on the team, or an all star team, will do anything to prove he is right. Conversely a coach or GM playing one player over another to make their team or a line will do anything to prove they are right.
Most athletes have to "pay a heck of price" to be what they can be in life. Very few are born to be there. Why would they risk losing what they worked so hard to achieve? Recognizing and appreciating how they got there is one sure way to insure that things will continue to go well for them. Paying a price in the off season is the other way to insure success. I could be pretty well satisfied with my life right now, and I could elect to take some form of retirement. I don't know that I will ever be satisfied with my life or my situation. Sometimes I wish I could change that part of me to make a better life for those around me. This is me and I have to enjoy being me before I can "help others help themselves" enjoy being what and who they are.The key words are "helping others help themselves". This means that no one is giving you a hand out in life or the game, no one is going to do it for you!
Live it and get it done! I think back to each Super Bowl Sunday. If you read all the clippings, there were super stars and great players on both teams, and both teams had a chance to win. I said before the game that there will be a best and the worst player on each team. Will the best be the one projected? Will the worst be the one projected? There will be a winner and a loser. Will the winner be the favorite to win? Bottom line, I would take pride in being the parent of the worst player on either team.There were two quarterbacks. One just happens to continue to approach life as a "no respect" guy even though he got rid of that label long ago. Who would guess that his eyes alone would be the difference between two great athletes? Who would guess that his ability to "look off and deceive" would be the difference in out playing one of his peers and prevailing?
This is just another reminder that sometimes tragedy creeps in with both success and failure. Purging negatives is a priority, but no more than purging positives to stay grounded. Keep the guard up and watch the outcome in future big games and then your career. Remember you were put on theis earth to validate and anoint yourself regardless of the beliefs, thoughts, reports and ratings of others. It will play out!
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email: chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights are reserved. No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Happy Birthday to a very special person
CLAIRENE GRILLO
You only have to meet her once to know you are going to like her.
Clairene is the backbone of Minnesota Hockey Camps. She is the one person who has kept the camp going over the past thirty years while the rest of us worked at our various assignments in the game of hockey and we are still working in various assignments. Clairene is the reason the camp enjoys its present status in the hockey world. Chuck said, "She has allowed me to live my life. She's answered the phones 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week, sent out mailings and dealt with the problems so the rest of us could pursue our lifelong ambitions." During the summers she logs in 100+ hour weeks.
Recent years find Dino and Carrie Wood Grillo by her side as well as strength coach, Joe Ciardelli to take some of the pressure off as she enters her “golden years”. Golden they are; because of the commitment she makes for 3 months every summer.
Parents have grown to trust this person with the unique ability to be both warm and firm. They have developed a trust that comes from sending their son or daughter away from home for the first time. Her love and respect for youth comes natural. We are fortunate when we get to meet and work with unique and extra-ordinary human beings. We are even more fortunate when we are able to marry that person. She possesses a degree of common sense that allows her to function on an even keel.
Clairene embodies the MHC Template for Success Program because she has so many of the traits found in great managers and sales people. She has instilled her old-fashioned value system in her children and in those who come in contact with her. Those responsible for her upbringing can be proud. She has carved out quite a career in the hockey camp business. Little did she know that she would make a name for herself while allowing others to live their life. A good portion of her life has been structured toward the camp mission over the past thirty years. While the monetary rewards are not there, her net worth is enhanced because of all the people's lives she has touched.
Please accept this small token of appreciation for what you bring to the mix @ MHC on your birthday. You show a passion for life and work that rubs off on employees. You show an unconditional love and respect for people you work with and those in contact can sense this.
"Raise the bar people make everyone's life and job easier. They are smart, work hard, detailed and caring. They have a way of touching lives and people don't even realize they are being touched. They do a thing that others yearn to emulate and that makes a company or team. Raising the bar is a unique skill, one that many employers come to expect from you rather than recognize.”
You have touched a lot of lives over the years; too many to count. You are the underlying reason for this camp’s successes. You should be extremely proud of your conduct, example, attitude and work ethic. You are one special human being and I love you for it!
Ole gringo
The guy who is always “driving off the grounds”
Herb Brooks and Chuck Grillo decided in 1980 to bring their Shattuck Camp to Brainerd, MN. They purchased Minnewawa Lodge. They were both on the road so they came to the conclusion that someone may steal from the camp. So they created a watchman position and hired a person for the job.
Herb, being the detail guy he was, then asked, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then he said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people; one to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then he said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions; a time keeper, and a payroll officer and hired two people.
Then he said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an administrative officer, assistant administrative officer, and a legal secretary. He then hired advertising, marketing, direct sales, registration and confirmation people to account for the campers.
Then he said, "We have had this camp in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."
So they laid off the watchman.
Herb got out because he was afraid of going broke after paying off the other help. Chuck found out he could reduce the budget by another $175,000 by getting rid of the writer, instructor, quality control people, time keeper, payroll person, administration officer, assistant administration officer and legal secretary. Plus, he got rid of the advertising, marketing, direct sales, registration and confirmation people.
Then he found out he needed a person to fill in for the housing director when he was gone, maintenance when he was gone, housekeeping when people showed up late and they were gone, counselors when they shirked their duties, the pro shop when shorthanded and the cooks when they failed to clean the kitchen properly @ the end of the season.
He pushed all the jobs off on Clairene Grillo and gave her any monies left over after the summer. Now, if only she could attend a few coaching, strength training and medical training seminars, she may be able to fill in when a coach wants to go golfing, the strength training coach is overwhelmed and the medical staff is strung out.
Reached for comment on her birthday, Clairene had this to say, "I'm too busy to talk right now. I'm in the process of getting my day care license because all these coaches are having kids and someone has to baby sit them."
You now know the "real reason" why Minnesota Hockey Camps still exists.
You only have to meet her once to know you are going to like her.
Clairene is the backbone of Minnesota Hockey Camps. She is the one person who has kept the camp going over the past thirty years while the rest of us worked at our various assignments in the game of hockey and we are still working in various assignments. Clairene is the reason the camp enjoys its present status in the hockey world. Chuck said, "She has allowed me to live my life. She's answered the phones 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week, sent out mailings and dealt with the problems so the rest of us could pursue our lifelong ambitions." During the summers she logs in 100+ hour weeks.
Recent years find Dino and Carrie Wood Grillo by her side as well as strength coach, Joe Ciardelli to take some of the pressure off as she enters her “golden years”. Golden they are; because of the commitment she makes for 3 months every summer.
Parents have grown to trust this person with the unique ability to be both warm and firm. They have developed a trust that comes from sending their son or daughter away from home for the first time. Her love and respect for youth comes natural. We are fortunate when we get to meet and work with unique and extra-ordinary human beings. We are even more fortunate when we are able to marry that person. She possesses a degree of common sense that allows her to function on an even keel.
Clairene embodies the MHC Template for Success Program because she has so many of the traits found in great managers and sales people. She has instilled her old-fashioned value system in her children and in those who come in contact with her. Those responsible for her upbringing can be proud. She has carved out quite a career in the hockey camp business. Little did she know that she would make a name for herself while allowing others to live their life. A good portion of her life has been structured toward the camp mission over the past thirty years. While the monetary rewards are not there, her net worth is enhanced because of all the people's lives she has touched.
Please accept this small token of appreciation for what you bring to the mix @ MHC on your birthday. You show a passion for life and work that rubs off on employees. You show an unconditional love and respect for people you work with and those in contact can sense this.
"Raise the bar people make everyone's life and job easier. They are smart, work hard, detailed and caring. They have a way of touching lives and people don't even realize they are being touched. They do a thing that others yearn to emulate and that makes a company or team. Raising the bar is a unique skill, one that many employers come to expect from you rather than recognize.”
You have touched a lot of lives over the years; too many to count. You are the underlying reason for this camp’s successes. You should be extremely proud of your conduct, example, attitude and work ethic. You are one special human being and I love you for it!
Ole gringo
The guy who is always “driving off the grounds”
HOW LIFE WORKS SOMETIMES
Herb Brooks and Chuck Grillo decided in 1980 to bring their Shattuck Camp to Brainerd, MN. They purchased Minnewawa Lodge. They were both on the road so they came to the conclusion that someone may steal from the camp. So they created a watchman position and hired a person for the job.
Herb, being the detail guy he was, then asked, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then he said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people; one to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then he said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions; a time keeper, and a payroll officer and hired two people.
Then he said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an administrative officer, assistant administrative officer, and a legal secretary. He then hired advertising, marketing, direct sales, registration and confirmation people to account for the campers.
Then he said, "We have had this camp in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."
So they laid off the watchman.
Herb got out because he was afraid of going broke after paying off the other help. Chuck found out he could reduce the budget by another $175,000 by getting rid of the writer, instructor, quality control people, time keeper, payroll person, administration officer, assistant administration officer and legal secretary. Plus, he got rid of the advertising, marketing, direct sales, registration and confirmation people.
Then he found out he needed a person to fill in for the housing director when he was gone, maintenance when he was gone, housekeeping when people showed up late and they were gone, counselors when they shirked their duties, the pro shop when shorthanded and the cooks when they failed to clean the kitchen properly @ the end of the season.
He pushed all the jobs off on Clairene Grillo and gave her any monies left over after the summer. Now, if only she could attend a few coaching, strength training and medical training seminars, she may be able to fill in when a coach wants to go golfing, the strength training coach is overwhelmed and the medical staff is strung out.
Reached for comment on her birthday, Clairene had this to say, "I'm too busy to talk right now. I'm in the process of getting my day care license because all these coaches are having kids and someone has to baby sit them."
You now know the "real reason" why Minnesota Hockey Camps still exists.
Monday, June 14, 2010
CULTURE of MHC
CULTURE OF MHC
Thoughts after visiting with one of our former coaches:
You’ve been away a while, you came back and visited, and you probably found that our values and mission is the same as it was when you came on as a high school kid and worked as a dish washer to earn your keep. Training is still fun, work is fun and the people who commit to us are great people because they have a love for the game that goes beyond a normal job description. They are the type that ensures that the next generation will have a passion for work and the game.
The Culture of our Camp is subject to change because people “grow out” of our company and new people join, however, the one thing that has remained a constant over the years is the Culture. We are still in the business for the good of the staff and our athletes. We still get our kicks out of people moving on and up in life and the game. This isn’t a blueprint. This has been happening for over forty (40) years because it is our life’s mission tied in to a company whose employees and clients are all on the same mission in life; simply better people first, then players and productive citizens. This is done in a highly productive collaborative working environment that has been in place for years. We’ve always been proud of our passion for the game and feel we’ve done our share of passing it on to our staff and down thru the different generations.
We are proud to say that the Culture of MHC has been formed by some dynamic people over the years. We provide a purpose and direction with company character. Our staff and clients learn to appreciate all that the camp stands for and all should have no problem resurfacing after adversity.
“Purging negatives and positives (prominence) is a skill and way of life for those who succeed. We call it a Goaltender’s Mentality because they excel @ this skill. Chances to redeem/repeat are a priority. I’ve reached the conclusion that purging successful moments, and building on the golden moments, is more difficult than purging negatives. We tend to live off, versus build on, the good things a little longer. It’s easier to rid ourselves of things we don’t like.”
We are in the process of reinventing the company to stay in tune with the new generations of clientele. We are going to make a better effort to mentor those who work with us so we can build on the legacy and culture developed over the past thirty (30) years @ MHC. Our Template for Success has had some WOW times when presented over the years. It has always been a “work in progress” and we are working @ making a better tool out of the Template.
The rewards fm working @ MHC usually are moving on and up in the game and life. This is our primary objective and we do it with the wish that those rewarded think enough of our purpose to send new clients our way. Money is not the motive; this is something that evolves over time. Pro athletes understand it better but we are certain the same as happened with our staff and other clients. As owners, we believe we have always stayed connected to the world of those who work with us. Our goal and wish has always been a better life for all who work with us and we continue to work hard to make that happen. Leading smart is one way to ensure that all who come here are respected for their contributions and that gives them incentive to contribute.
Our Pastor made an interesting comment @ church service on June 13, 2010. He talked about what we call the “skill to step out of yourself and bring others in to your life”. If our life is mentoring, this is far more important than any X & O system people refer to, and something we’ve done unconditionally prior to our first whistle in practice. There will be no X’s and O’s if we are incapable of reaching out to others for all the right reasons.
We’ve had more than our share of employees who came to MHC with the idea of sharing their ideas and growing in a group that cared about each other. This gets extended to those in their group. It’s easier to do what we did yesterday, easy to wake up every morning to be who we are. We’ve always found purpose and meaning to urge others to become what we believe they can be. Great mentors embolden people. MHC has a value system for training that is unmatched in our society. This isn’t a statement. This is something that has been lived for over thirty (30) years @ Minnewawa Lodge. We have walked the talk and the words. We’ve always believed that work here has been satisfying, rewarding and fun. Learning to work hard can be fun and rewarding in a world of mediocrity resigned to forty (40) hour, or less, work weeks. Those willing to pay a price, and laugh their way through it, find it easy in a world of fast bucks, easy bucks and quick fixes. Values learned and passed on are incentive to sustain and build on everything we work for.
We are in the business to build a better person and player. We have developed, and redeveloped, a Template for Success program that will serve our employees and clients now and in the future. This defines the character of MHC and those who have, and will, work here.
We believe in giving unproven people opportunity. Our coaches are hired because of their ability to adapt to management as well as the players, personalities and level of play they have encountered @ every stage of their career.
We like strong leaders, a successful person, one who can sell the training and the game to the players. It’s all about a “system” that takes in to account the personalities that are dealt to the coach. This is totally unlike the word “system” we are used to reading about; and some coaches even brag about. While I see a high tempo, energetic game being the way the new breed likes to play, I’m assuming they like to be aggressive and up tempo in both games; offense and defense. Yet, it still comes down to actual people; each individual player is an actual person reacting to your ability to build a team with the assets they bring to the team as well as the respect they have for each team member’s unique skills.
We have talked about “talking with” vs “talking to”. It’s never been our way or the highway. It’s always been, “We believe every person has unique skills that can add to the character and identity of a team.” When we mention team, it could be the MHC team, the team we coach or the team during the regular season. This unique skill of stepping outside of ourselves and impacting others is found in those with a very high caring and sharing level. They do it unconditionally and their careers and legacy continue to grow every day they adhere to these principles. This will show up @ some point with both players and coaches and will ultimately determine the level of success. “Winning starts when sharing and caring are viewed as a prerequisite to being part of a team.”
Clairene and I know this is how we’ve lived our life together over the past 40 years, especially the 9 to 10 weeks every summer over those 40 years, and I am one who believes we will leave a legacy equal to most anyone who made athletics a way of life. What I’m saying is: “It works and we end up being the beneficiary when it comes down to all the memories and internal wealth one acquires in this profession. The neatest thing is we get to take it all with us when our life’s journey is over. This is our wish for everyone who ever sets foot on these grounds.”
“You don’t have to be highly skilled, rich and famous to leave a legacy and story to tell. The truth lies in the success stories @ MHC.”
The “skill to serve others”, “skill to step out of yourself and bring others in to your life” and “skill to express your skills” are three unique skills that are acquirable. They are three new and exciting ways to enhance the Template; things we’ve done but never took the time to describe it.
It’s about exceeding expectations after they sign up for a camp they have heard, or read, about. It's about going beyond your job description. The consumer has to feel our passion for what we are selling and this is done through caring and sharing. We always talk about value paid, value received. Our goal is to give them more than they paid for. If we do something wrong, we will make it right; starting with an apology.
We empower our staff to do things within the guidelines of our Culture. One good measure of our personnel would be how many people would stay on and work if they won the lottery? We know we would not only continue the legacy; we would kick in monies to upgrade the facility and programs.
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights are reserved. No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Thoughts after visiting with one of our former coaches:
You’ve been away a while, you came back and visited, and you probably found that our values and mission is the same as it was when you came on as a high school kid and worked as a dish washer to earn your keep. Training is still fun, work is fun and the people who commit to us are great people because they have a love for the game that goes beyond a normal job description. They are the type that ensures that the next generation will have a passion for work and the game.
The Culture of our Camp is subject to change because people “grow out” of our company and new people join, however, the one thing that has remained a constant over the years is the Culture. We are still in the business for the good of the staff and our athletes. We still get our kicks out of people moving on and up in life and the game. This isn’t a blueprint. This has been happening for over forty (40) years because it is our life’s mission tied in to a company whose employees and clients are all on the same mission in life; simply better people first, then players and productive citizens. This is done in a highly productive collaborative working environment that has been in place for years. We’ve always been proud of our passion for the game and feel we’ve done our share of passing it on to our staff and down thru the different generations.
We are proud to say that the Culture of MHC has been formed by some dynamic people over the years. We provide a purpose and direction with company character. Our staff and clients learn to appreciate all that the camp stands for and all should have no problem resurfacing after adversity.
“Purging negatives and positives (prominence) is a skill and way of life for those who succeed. We call it a Goaltender’s Mentality because they excel @ this skill. Chances to redeem/repeat are a priority. I’ve reached the conclusion that purging successful moments, and building on the golden moments, is more difficult than purging negatives. We tend to live off, versus build on, the good things a little longer. It’s easier to rid ourselves of things we don’t like.”
We are in the process of reinventing the company to stay in tune with the new generations of clientele. We are going to make a better effort to mentor those who work with us so we can build on the legacy and culture developed over the past thirty (30) years @ MHC. Our Template for Success has had some WOW times when presented over the years. It has always been a “work in progress” and we are working @ making a better tool out of the Template.
The rewards fm working @ MHC usually are moving on and up in the game and life. This is our primary objective and we do it with the wish that those rewarded think enough of our purpose to send new clients our way. Money is not the motive; this is something that evolves over time. Pro athletes understand it better but we are certain the same as happened with our staff and other clients. As owners, we believe we have always stayed connected to the world of those who work with us. Our goal and wish has always been a better life for all who work with us and we continue to work hard to make that happen. Leading smart is one way to ensure that all who come here are respected for their contributions and that gives them incentive to contribute.
Our Pastor made an interesting comment @ church service on June 13, 2010. He talked about what we call the “skill to step out of yourself and bring others in to your life”. If our life is mentoring, this is far more important than any X & O system people refer to, and something we’ve done unconditionally prior to our first whistle in practice. There will be no X’s and O’s if we are incapable of reaching out to others for all the right reasons.
We’ve had more than our share of employees who came to MHC with the idea of sharing their ideas and growing in a group that cared about each other. This gets extended to those in their group. It’s easier to do what we did yesterday, easy to wake up every morning to be who we are. We’ve always found purpose and meaning to urge others to become what we believe they can be. Great mentors embolden people. MHC has a value system for training that is unmatched in our society. This isn’t a statement. This is something that has been lived for over thirty (30) years @ Minnewawa Lodge. We have walked the talk and the words. We’ve always believed that work here has been satisfying, rewarding and fun. Learning to work hard can be fun and rewarding in a world of mediocrity resigned to forty (40) hour, or less, work weeks. Those willing to pay a price, and laugh their way through it, find it easy in a world of fast bucks, easy bucks and quick fixes. Values learned and passed on are incentive to sustain and build on everything we work for.
We are in the business to build a better person and player. We have developed, and redeveloped, a Template for Success program that will serve our employees and clients now and in the future. This defines the character of MHC and those who have, and will, work here.
We believe in giving unproven people opportunity. Our coaches are hired because of their ability to adapt to management as well as the players, personalities and level of play they have encountered @ every stage of their career.
We like strong leaders, a successful person, one who can sell the training and the game to the players. It’s all about a “system” that takes in to account the personalities that are dealt to the coach. This is totally unlike the word “system” we are used to reading about; and some coaches even brag about. While I see a high tempo, energetic game being the way the new breed likes to play, I’m assuming they like to be aggressive and up tempo in both games; offense and defense. Yet, it still comes down to actual people; each individual player is an actual person reacting to your ability to build a team with the assets they bring to the team as well as the respect they have for each team member’s unique skills.
We have talked about “talking with” vs “talking to”. It’s never been our way or the highway. It’s always been, “We believe every person has unique skills that can add to the character and identity of a team.” When we mention team, it could be the MHC team, the team we coach or the team during the regular season. This unique skill of stepping outside of ourselves and impacting others is found in those with a very high caring and sharing level. They do it unconditionally and their careers and legacy continue to grow every day they adhere to these principles. This will show up @ some point with both players and coaches and will ultimately determine the level of success. “Winning starts when sharing and caring are viewed as a prerequisite to being part of a team.”
Clairene and I know this is how we’ve lived our life together over the past 40 years, especially the 9 to 10 weeks every summer over those 40 years, and I am one who believes we will leave a legacy equal to most anyone who made athletics a way of life. What I’m saying is: “It works and we end up being the beneficiary when it comes down to all the memories and internal wealth one acquires in this profession. The neatest thing is we get to take it all with us when our life’s journey is over. This is our wish for everyone who ever sets foot on these grounds.”
“You don’t have to be highly skilled, rich and famous to leave a legacy and story to tell. The truth lies in the success stories @ MHC.”
The “skill to serve others”, “skill to step out of yourself and bring others in to your life” and “skill to express your skills” are three unique skills that are acquirable. They are three new and exciting ways to enhance the Template; things we’ve done but never took the time to describe it.
It’s about exceeding expectations after they sign up for a camp they have heard, or read, about. It's about going beyond your job description. The consumer has to feel our passion for what we are selling and this is done through caring and sharing. We always talk about value paid, value received. Our goal is to give them more than they paid for. If we do something wrong, we will make it right; starting with an apology.
We empower our staff to do things within the guidelines of our Culture. One good measure of our personnel would be how many people would stay on and work if they won the lottery? We know we would not only continue the legacy; we would kick in monies to upgrade the facility and programs.
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights are reserved. No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Smart, Hard to Play Against, Hockey:
How much can we learn and when do we stop learning?
People with a passion for life and the game are forever looking for something new or something to solve. They are always looking for lessons in life and the game.
“Given a choice, without training or direction, your mind will take the easy way out.”
The 1st two games of the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 are a prime example. The Penguins will be thanking the Red Wings for teaching them a lesson they will never forget. Now guarding against a Stanley Cup Finals hangover is paramount and history tells us change is inevitable.
The lesson is the fine line between a continuous search for respect and peace of mind that ultimately is the difference between winning and losing. Both Cup Final teams have quality players from top to bottom. Each has unique skills that contribute to winning. The only differences in the games are smarts, mind set, timing, and execution.
Given a choice, we all want to coach a very angry, mean, nasty and upset team with talented people; people who know how to use their energy and talent smartly. Having distaste for your opponent is acceptable when you are going after the top prize. If players do not get passing marks in these categories, you have the wrong players on the team. Every struggling player and team should start with being angry because of their situation.
Both teams had talent, work ethic, energy and enthusiasm that are infectious and competitive players who are hard to play against. The best teams take it to another level. The word smart gets thrown in to the mix and that word is applied to every aspect of the game. Place the word, “smart or smartly” before energy, anger, mean, nasty, take outs, draws, hitting, tandem play, hard to play against, detail people, puck movement, open lanes to the puck and keeping the rink big in all three zones; any facet of the game you want. The level of competition is so tight that finding a way to execute is paramount to winning. The young PENS had it, but this was their 1st opponent in the play offs that requires a team to excel in this area in order to beat them.
There is a benefit to playing on a great team with great players, but those same players still have to smartly get it done. It still comes down to using your smarts when you experience intense, fast thinking situations. Time to think about something gets reduced when you get to the finals. Time to think gets reduced when teams start gunning for you because you were in the finals or having a great season. This is a reason why there are only two teams left. There are more players totally focused, more energy with more attention to detail, smart enough to think quicker on their feet in any situation and they have no fear when it comes to playing angry, mean, nasty and upset.
Space and catch up passes to areas your teammates are reading to jump in to may be the only way to get open and back on the attack in transition because there is so little room and the energy level is so high. Passes to yourself off the boards, when you are out of options and room, are split second reactions that allow you to keep control of the puck and the game. Races to loose pucks have to be won or the opponent separated fm the puck. 2nd effort to loose pucks has to be unmatched.
Clearing passes are a skill and executing properly protects leads and gets you out of sustained fore-checks by the opponent. The new rules on icing mean you will be out on the ice with fatigue setting in. Block fatigue out of your mind when you go in to the face-off in your own end.
Smartly dumping the puck is a unique skill, one anyone can learn to execute. The end result being sustained fore-checks, shots on net and goals.
The Finals have a way of exposing each player’s personality, smarts and zest for life. Those that excel have been waiting for this opportunity longer than they thought and they are able to put the pedal to the metal. The “IT Factor” comes in to play. There are people in every setting who just have the “IT Factor” and a sense of humor to go with it. They have “IT” when it comes to execution under pressure. They have the skill to express their skills.
“Special players crave the stage to sing their song and they try to sing it better than the last time.”
When the Stanley Cup finals are over, there will be one winner. There will be four to six more teams saying, “We could have won and this is how we could have won.” The great teams learn as much from the other team as they learn from their own. My wish was for the players on the young Penguins to win the Cup and then thank the Red Wings for a valuable lesson in Games One and Two of 2008. They challenged you to beat them by showing you how to beat them. My 2nd wish is to guard against the hangover and loss of lessons learned when you play in the Final.
Hockey is still a game that older people play. When he turned 52, Gordie Howe said, “I’m a fifty-two (52) year old adolescent playing a kid’s game.” When I see the smiles on the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney after a great play and goal; and Marc-Andre Fleury after a gamer save, I see happiness because of sharing before any personal gain.
Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Chris Chelios, Ron Francis, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux; and countless other gifted players make sure the word “fun” never leaves the game. This is how teams are held together during the tough stretches. The lesson here is,
“Being overly serious can be counterproductive. Learn to laugh @ yourself.”
Rob Blake tells a former college teammate that the 2008-09 edition of the San Jose Sharks is the most fun he has ever had in hockey because Joe Thornton spends so much of his time having fun with the team. When he signed for millions of dollars Scott Hartnell’s brother said, “Now he will never grow up.” The will to win remains one step ahead of having fun because there is no more fun than winning.
I am one that believes that “caring levels” ultimately dictate the success of teams. Defining roles and eliminating agenda driven people is a priority. This includes players’ support groups.
There is no spot in any locker room for the timid or weak minded player. The Cup Finals were games that the PENS needed to play in, games to learn from; but isn’t this true in every setting? While it would have been great if the guys could have gotten a few early on the power play, playoff series will still come down to “smarts” and burying “critical moment” chances, because all the other intangibles are a given.
Study the opponent and entice the opponent to do what they like to do. There should be some space behind hitters when they step up. I don’t know if that space is behind them or in the spot that was vacated by the player covering for him. The center forward or strong side wing covered for him, so the opening is usually on their weak side wing. Well coached teams fill in well for players. Is it possible to exploit the desire to crunch people? Entice him in to stepping up and make the space pass that can give you the odd man rush. Easier said than done, because I see they are good @ filling his spot, but great players know what is going on around them. Enticing him in to a hitting situation is better than him surprising you with one. One hand drop, with a space pass, allows the puck carrier to throw him off his rhythm and you slip the check.
The hits on Jordan Staal and Ryan Malone got me thinking about this only because I have a deep respect for their ability to think smart and fast in a split second.
The draws are huge and Pittsburgh had a couple in the dying minutes of the early games. This was nice to see because the draws are slowly getting to the 50% level. Most draws are sawed off, so smart team play dictates the success ratio.
Go to clips of pucks being stripped or players eluding checks. Go to the clips of players gaining the shoulder, taking the hands to the boards and stripping pucks off each other. This fundamental is what we call a “100% take out” and it wins championships. Putting a player through the glass is not nearly as effective against the great teams as frustrating the hell out of your opponent. Great hits (hard hits in to the glass) don’t come close to the psychological victory for plays of this nature. Change of direction may be more effective in combating their fundamental take outs.
There have to be a couple of clips on boxing net play guys out that would prove valuable. Goal scorers showing up right up on time in receiving/shooting situations is something everyone can appreciate and emulate.
WIN stands for what’s important now. Think of situations where two players meet and go down on the ice. Who got up first? Who got back in to the play first? Who forgot about a hit, broken stick, check, bad call, icing with no change or loss of a puck the split second it happens so they can get back to what’s important now. Everything is a race. It’s a race to get up quicker when two people get knocked down.
Detroit is a fundamentally sound team and I believe the biggest obstacle is matching and surpassing their smarts when it comes to the fundamentals of the game. Their take outs are close to 100%, draws are an advantage for them, they keep the rink very big when they have the puck in all three zones, and they time finding the seams as well as anyone in the game. The PENS can do this; all players can do this.
“Control the opponent before you even think of getting the puck. This way the puck is yours. Control the opponent’s body before you think of the puck and you win all confrontations and play with their mind. Control their mind and you win the game.”
Mindset, anticipation and execution are paramount. Anticipation makes you look quicker and helps you solve any situation first. Championships are won when combined with attitude, swagger, mindset, infectious play, gregariousness, boldness and killer instinct.
Shoot smart and recognize the consequences of shots that are easy to catch or in to the mid-section versus low shots that are uncontrollable and lead to rebounds and sustained fore-check.
The “givens” are both teams have talented, enthusiastic, infectious and competitive players who are hard to play against. The stakes are high for both teams and @ a point where they bigger every day they come to the rink. Teams and players learn to live with reward for gaining recognition, notoriety and getting to the finals.
It all comes down to the “IT Factor”. Certain players have the “IT Factor” under control when it comes to critical moments. Some players want to and can be “IT”. They know what’s going on around them, they figure out their blind spots, and they, “Get IT done”.
“Team power fuels star power. You need this to have your top players firing on all cylinders.”
The Cup resembles a playground setting with a pecking order. If you don't like the pecking order, the setting is there to change it. Rules are reduced to guidelines and players get paid to outwork and outperform their opponent with no regard for who they are or what they've accomplished. Players accept the challenge and set out to prove they are better than the next guy. The Cup mirrors life. Aren't we all paid to outwork and outperform our opponent in life? Great win for a group of guys who don't show any quit in them and appear to be relishing the playground setting where there is no room for the timid or weak minded player. Makes you want to bring back the old playground setting where kids grew up learning how to survive on their own in the toughest situations. Something tells me the PIT players have some playground experience and are interesting in altering the 'pecking order'.
Little things caught my eye as the series went on and on. There are more catch up and space passes by DTW than I'm used to watching. Is this coincidental or by design? Area & space passes are effective because there is no room out here tonight. DTW is running in to more pucks than I've ever seen. Must know where they are going with it.
Company attitudes change people. I don't remember certain players as detailed and hard working guys @ age eighteen (18). It's a race to get up quicker when knocked down in this series.
Something must have caught my eye to mention this. Passes to yourself when there is no other pass to buy time. Head swivel and reaction time to loose pucks is all about anticipation, quickness & mind set. Everyone has bought in on PIT according to coaches; nice to see. Players’ sticks are good lessons in terms of getting pucks off people without getting a pim.
Icings happen. Get the fatigue factor out of your mind if it is on your mind when you have to ice the puck and stay on. Gaining the shoulder is paramount, especially when smaller players are going against bigger players.
Are you making sure on getting pucks out of the zone on PK, etc? This is a given for a pro and very important fundamental. The clearing pass all of sudden becomes one of the most important fundamentals. High shots are cherry picked so we are better off with rebound type shots fm off angles that lead to sustained fore-checks. Where is the controlled distaste for the opponent? Long shots have to be uncatchable, 2nd effort to loose pucks has to be unmatched. Gain the red line extended; cannot compromise on this.
DTW minds get to loose pucks as much as their feet. When you get to the level where you are worried about what the other guy is doing, you are done. PIT will have to go fm student to teacher if this series is going to be turned around. I believed they would and they didn’t. One year later (2009), the student became the teacher. What happens in 2010? What lessons are learned? How does smart hockey go to smarter hockey?
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights reserved.No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
How much can we learn and when do we stop learning?
People with a passion for life and the game are forever looking for something new or something to solve. They are always looking for lessons in life and the game.
“Given a choice, without training or direction, your mind will take the easy way out.”
The 1st two games of the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 are a prime example. The Penguins will be thanking the Red Wings for teaching them a lesson they will never forget. Now guarding against a Stanley Cup Finals hangover is paramount and history tells us change is inevitable.
The lesson is the fine line between a continuous search for respect and peace of mind that ultimately is the difference between winning and losing. Both Cup Final teams have quality players from top to bottom. Each has unique skills that contribute to winning. The only differences in the games are smarts, mind set, timing, and execution.
Given a choice, we all want to coach a very angry, mean, nasty and upset team with talented people; people who know how to use their energy and talent smartly. Having distaste for your opponent is acceptable when you are going after the top prize. If players do not get passing marks in these categories, you have the wrong players on the team. Every struggling player and team should start with being angry because of their situation.
Both teams had talent, work ethic, energy and enthusiasm that are infectious and competitive players who are hard to play against. The best teams take it to another level. The word smart gets thrown in to the mix and that word is applied to every aspect of the game. Place the word, “smart or smartly” before energy, anger, mean, nasty, take outs, draws, hitting, tandem play, hard to play against, detail people, puck movement, open lanes to the puck and keeping the rink big in all three zones; any facet of the game you want. The level of competition is so tight that finding a way to execute is paramount to winning. The young PENS had it, but this was their 1st opponent in the play offs that requires a team to excel in this area in order to beat them.
There is a benefit to playing on a great team with great players, but those same players still have to smartly get it done. It still comes down to using your smarts when you experience intense, fast thinking situations. Time to think about something gets reduced when you get to the finals. Time to think gets reduced when teams start gunning for you because you were in the finals or having a great season. This is a reason why there are only two teams left. There are more players totally focused, more energy with more attention to detail, smart enough to think quicker on their feet in any situation and they have no fear when it comes to playing angry, mean, nasty and upset.
Space and catch up passes to areas your teammates are reading to jump in to may be the only way to get open and back on the attack in transition because there is so little room and the energy level is so high. Passes to yourself off the boards, when you are out of options and room, are split second reactions that allow you to keep control of the puck and the game. Races to loose pucks have to be won or the opponent separated fm the puck. 2nd effort to loose pucks has to be unmatched.
Clearing passes are a skill and executing properly protects leads and gets you out of sustained fore-checks by the opponent. The new rules on icing mean you will be out on the ice with fatigue setting in. Block fatigue out of your mind when you go in to the face-off in your own end.
Smartly dumping the puck is a unique skill, one anyone can learn to execute. The end result being sustained fore-checks, shots on net and goals.
The Finals have a way of exposing each player’s personality, smarts and zest for life. Those that excel have been waiting for this opportunity longer than they thought and they are able to put the pedal to the metal. The “IT Factor” comes in to play. There are people in every setting who just have the “IT Factor” and a sense of humor to go with it. They have “IT” when it comes to execution under pressure. They have the skill to express their skills.
“Special players crave the stage to sing their song and they try to sing it better than the last time.”
When the Stanley Cup finals are over, there will be one winner. There will be four to six more teams saying, “We could have won and this is how we could have won.” The great teams learn as much from the other team as they learn from their own. My wish was for the players on the young Penguins to win the Cup and then thank the Red Wings for a valuable lesson in Games One and Two of 2008. They challenged you to beat them by showing you how to beat them. My 2nd wish is to guard against the hangover and loss of lessons learned when you play in the Final.
Hockey is still a game that older people play. When he turned 52, Gordie Howe said, “I’m a fifty-two (52) year old adolescent playing a kid’s game.” When I see the smiles on the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney after a great play and goal; and Marc-Andre Fleury after a gamer save, I see happiness because of sharing before any personal gain.
Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Chris Chelios, Ron Francis, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux; and countless other gifted players make sure the word “fun” never leaves the game. This is how teams are held together during the tough stretches. The lesson here is,
“Being overly serious can be counterproductive. Learn to laugh @ yourself.”
Rob Blake tells a former college teammate that the 2008-09 edition of the San Jose Sharks is the most fun he has ever had in hockey because Joe Thornton spends so much of his time having fun with the team. When he signed for millions of dollars Scott Hartnell’s brother said, “Now he will never grow up.” The will to win remains one step ahead of having fun because there is no more fun than winning.
I am one that believes that “caring levels” ultimately dictate the success of teams. Defining roles and eliminating agenda driven people is a priority. This includes players’ support groups.
There is no spot in any locker room for the timid or weak minded player. The Cup Finals were games that the PENS needed to play in, games to learn from; but isn’t this true in every setting? While it would have been great if the guys could have gotten a few early on the power play, playoff series will still come down to “smarts” and burying “critical moment” chances, because all the other intangibles are a given.
Study the opponent and entice the opponent to do what they like to do. There should be some space behind hitters when they step up. I don’t know if that space is behind them or in the spot that was vacated by the player covering for him. The center forward or strong side wing covered for him, so the opening is usually on their weak side wing. Well coached teams fill in well for players. Is it possible to exploit the desire to crunch people? Entice him in to stepping up and make the space pass that can give you the odd man rush. Easier said than done, because I see they are good @ filling his spot, but great players know what is going on around them. Enticing him in to a hitting situation is better than him surprising you with one. One hand drop, with a space pass, allows the puck carrier to throw him off his rhythm and you slip the check.
The hits on Jordan Staal and Ryan Malone got me thinking about this only because I have a deep respect for their ability to think smart and fast in a split second.
The draws are huge and Pittsburgh had a couple in the dying minutes of the early games. This was nice to see because the draws are slowly getting to the 50% level. Most draws are sawed off, so smart team play dictates the success ratio.
Go to clips of pucks being stripped or players eluding checks. Go to the clips of players gaining the shoulder, taking the hands to the boards and stripping pucks off each other. This fundamental is what we call a “100% take out” and it wins championships. Putting a player through the glass is not nearly as effective against the great teams as frustrating the hell out of your opponent. Great hits (hard hits in to the glass) don’t come close to the psychological victory for plays of this nature. Change of direction may be more effective in combating their fundamental take outs.
There have to be a couple of clips on boxing net play guys out that would prove valuable. Goal scorers showing up right up on time in receiving/shooting situations is something everyone can appreciate and emulate.
WIN stands for what’s important now. Think of situations where two players meet and go down on the ice. Who got up first? Who got back in to the play first? Who forgot about a hit, broken stick, check, bad call, icing with no change or loss of a puck the split second it happens so they can get back to what’s important now. Everything is a race. It’s a race to get up quicker when two people get knocked down.
Detroit is a fundamentally sound team and I believe the biggest obstacle is matching and surpassing their smarts when it comes to the fundamentals of the game. Their take outs are close to 100%, draws are an advantage for them, they keep the rink very big when they have the puck in all three zones, and they time finding the seams as well as anyone in the game. The PENS can do this; all players can do this.
“Control the opponent before you even think of getting the puck. This way the puck is yours. Control the opponent’s body before you think of the puck and you win all confrontations and play with their mind. Control their mind and you win the game.”
Mindset, anticipation and execution are paramount. Anticipation makes you look quicker and helps you solve any situation first. Championships are won when combined with attitude, swagger, mindset, infectious play, gregariousness, boldness and killer instinct.
Shoot smart and recognize the consequences of shots that are easy to catch or in to the mid-section versus low shots that are uncontrollable and lead to rebounds and sustained fore-check.
The “givens” are both teams have talented, enthusiastic, infectious and competitive players who are hard to play against. The stakes are high for both teams and @ a point where they bigger every day they come to the rink. Teams and players learn to live with reward for gaining recognition, notoriety and getting to the finals.
It all comes down to the “IT Factor”. Certain players have the “IT Factor” under control when it comes to critical moments. Some players want to and can be “IT”. They know what’s going on around them, they figure out their blind spots, and they, “Get IT done”.
“Team power fuels star power. You need this to have your top players firing on all cylinders.”
The Cup resembles a playground setting with a pecking order. If you don't like the pecking order, the setting is there to change it. Rules are reduced to guidelines and players get paid to outwork and outperform their opponent with no regard for who they are or what they've accomplished. Players accept the challenge and set out to prove they are better than the next guy. The Cup mirrors life. Aren't we all paid to outwork and outperform our opponent in life? Great win for a group of guys who don't show any quit in them and appear to be relishing the playground setting where there is no room for the timid or weak minded player. Makes you want to bring back the old playground setting where kids grew up learning how to survive on their own in the toughest situations. Something tells me the PIT players have some playground experience and are interesting in altering the 'pecking order'.
Little things caught my eye as the series went on and on. There are more catch up and space passes by DTW than I'm used to watching. Is this coincidental or by design? Area & space passes are effective because there is no room out here tonight. DTW is running in to more pucks than I've ever seen. Must know where they are going with it.
Company attitudes change people. I don't remember certain players as detailed and hard working guys @ age eighteen (18). It's a race to get up quicker when knocked down in this series.
Something must have caught my eye to mention this. Passes to yourself when there is no other pass to buy time. Head swivel and reaction time to loose pucks is all about anticipation, quickness & mind set. Everyone has bought in on PIT according to coaches; nice to see. Players’ sticks are good lessons in terms of getting pucks off people without getting a pim.
Icings happen. Get the fatigue factor out of your mind if it is on your mind when you have to ice the puck and stay on. Gaining the shoulder is paramount, especially when smaller players are going against bigger players.
Are you making sure on getting pucks out of the zone on PK, etc? This is a given for a pro and very important fundamental. The clearing pass all of sudden becomes one of the most important fundamentals. High shots are cherry picked so we are better off with rebound type shots fm off angles that lead to sustained fore-checks. Where is the controlled distaste for the opponent? Long shots have to be uncatchable, 2nd effort to loose pucks has to be unmatched. Gain the red line extended; cannot compromise on this.
DTW minds get to loose pucks as much as their feet. When you get to the level where you are worried about what the other guy is doing, you are done. PIT will have to go fm student to teacher if this series is going to be turned around. I believed they would and they didn’t. One year later (2009), the student became the teacher. What happens in 2010? What lessons are learned? How does smart hockey go to smarter hockey?
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights reserved.No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Former Camper and His Thoughts
Subject: A very thankful camper
Minnesota Hockey Camp Staff,
As a young hockey player I began attending Minnesota Hockey Camps to improve on my goal-tending technique. As I got older I returned to hone my technique and build my athleticism.
Near the end of my five year summer pilgrimage, the trip was merely to reunite with friends and respected mentors. Since the end of my high school education and hockey career in 2007 I have not returned to the beautiful camp in the woods I loved so much. Instead I turned my sights to a different pursuit; college. I entered with a goal in mind; to apply and be accepted in to veterinary medical school in three years,(opposed to the typical four). This past February (my junior year of college) I received an acceptance letter from the University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. I accomplished my goal knowing four years from now I will enter the career and lifestyle of my dreams as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Reflecting on the past to learn and prepare for the future I examined the summers I spent sweating, bruised, and exhausted and realize what I really learned from Minnesota Hockey Camps. The lessons that counted the most did not involve hockey; instead they taught hard work, goal setting, persistence, passion, self critiquing and so many more qualities which develop not just good hockey players, but good people.
Now I appreciate these lessons and continually try to analyze myself with respect to these lessons just as I did every week filling in numbers on a pyramid. These lessons have been keystones in my pursuits and will continue to influence me for years to come. In saying this I would like to thank all of the camp counselors, coaches, dinning, maintenance, and cleaning staff with which I interacted with during my stays at Minnesota Hockey Camps, special notation going to Chuck Whalen, and Toby Kvalevog; two great goalie coaches and one really great fisherman.
I would also like to give a special thanks to the Grillo family, Chuck and Clairene, for their foundation of a phenomenal camp; and Rob, Carol, Dean ("Deano"), and Carrie for carrying on a legacy of great hockey and great development. Thank you all for your passion and the great experiences which have helped, and will continue to help, me develop into the person I am; and the person I want to become. -Kevin Kicker
Minnesota Hockey Camp Staff,
As a young hockey player I began attending Minnesota Hockey Camps to improve on my goal-tending technique. As I got older I returned to hone my technique and build my athleticism.
Near the end of my five year summer pilgrimage, the trip was merely to reunite with friends and respected mentors. Since the end of my high school education and hockey career in 2007 I have not returned to the beautiful camp in the woods I loved so much. Instead I turned my sights to a different pursuit; college. I entered with a goal in mind; to apply and be accepted in to veterinary medical school in three years,(opposed to the typical four). This past February (my junior year of college) I received an acceptance letter from the University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. I accomplished my goal knowing four years from now I will enter the career and lifestyle of my dreams as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Reflecting on the past to learn and prepare for the future I examined the summers I spent sweating, bruised, and exhausted and realize what I really learned from Minnesota Hockey Camps. The lessons that counted the most did not involve hockey; instead they taught hard work, goal setting, persistence, passion, self critiquing and so many more qualities which develop not just good hockey players, but good people.
Now I appreciate these lessons and continually try to analyze myself with respect to these lessons just as I did every week filling in numbers on a pyramid. These lessons have been keystones in my pursuits and will continue to influence me for years to come. In saying this I would like to thank all of the camp counselors, coaches, dinning, maintenance, and cleaning staff with which I interacted with during my stays at Minnesota Hockey Camps, special notation going to Chuck Whalen, and Toby Kvalevog; two great goalie coaches and one really great fisherman.
I would also like to give a special thanks to the Grillo family, Chuck and Clairene, for their foundation of a phenomenal camp; and Rob, Carol, Dean ("Deano"), and Carrie for carrying on a legacy of great hockey and great development. Thank you all for your passion and the great experiences which have helped, and will continue to help, me develop into the person I am; and the person I want to become. -Kevin Kicker
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Caring and Sharing; Foundation for Success
Caring and Sharing; the Foundation for Success
I just received a message fm one of our parents who spends time with us during the summer months because he cares about the future of his son and has developed a caring level for others competing with his son. He wrote a number of things but the beginning intrigues me the most:
Chuck,
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments whether on your blog or on Facebook. I enjoy reading them all and look forward to seeing the next ones. I can relate to so many of the circumstances that you describe from my time as a player. He went on to say how he thinks about all of the things he could have done better.
My comments are simple:
I find it interesting you write this to me because I’ve been giving some thought to writing a blog on me not reaching my potential as an athlete and in real life. I don’t believe any of us reach our true potential and there is no better example than me. While it’s easy to rationalize, the plain and simple truth is we have all these unique skills and rarely maximize them. Most of us look back and are more likely to add the words “think I’m”, before critical words like curious, studying, working hard, training hard, sprinting hard, skating hard, playing hard. How many of us want to, and know how, to be a difference maker; go beyond our job description?
We have no way of knowing unless we find ourselves in a setting that WOWS us and opens our eyes to what is real in the sport or life in general. We need people to teach that perception and deception are deterrents to what is substance and reality. The biggest obstacle to overcome is thinking that simply showing up @ work, skating and playing games is going to do it for you. “I just do my job” doesn’t cut it.
When you know what it takes, and don’t apply, the rich only get richer. Those born to be there will be the beneficiary with less competition fm peers. I know superstars in the NHL that are performing well below their potential and I feel for them every time it gets played out in front of the world on TV or @ a game. None of this has to do with the skillset. They are obviously @ a skill threshold far beyond what they need. Most have blind spots that need to be exposed, and constructively critiqued, or they will never max out.
The pecking order can get altered real fast, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Rules become guidelines in a playground setting that is as close as it gets to the old playground with no parents around. All you had was a group of kids, two leaders picking teams, and they always seemed to be able to pick them in the order deserved. It has been interesting to go back over our careers and see how it all played out. The fun ones are the last guy picked being the huge success story in life. The equally fun ones have been the leaders staying grounded, because of their upbringing, and maintaining the gap. I’ve been witness to more than my share of careers with an unhappy ending and even some that failed to get off the ground. I’ve also been witness to so many becoming what we believed they can be the first time we saw them.
Our camp is great for all ages but the results start coming in fast after puberty kicks in. Prior to puberty is a great time to form the habits we need to be successful. Once puberty kicks in, we already have the love and passion for training and work. All we need to do is in place. Improving gets to be easier and fun. I sincerely believe hard work is fun because I watched my parents working hard and having fun. My Marine Corps experiences taught me how to do things I never dreamed I could do and I am forever grateful for my time in the service.
The results get magnified when young people receive some sort of indication that they are good, but only if the results are incentive to work harder. Unfortunately sophistication and complacency “rule” in too many lives that experience success. Perception and deception creep in over substance and reality.
The key is you wondering what you were thinking when you describe a situation where you were sub-standard and didn’t know “what I was thinking”. I wouldn’t want to even venture a guess on how many times I’ve asked, “What was I thinking?” This is the necessary fuel to help others become what you believe they can be. I believe parents will always want more for their kids than they had @ the same age and they want them going way beyond anything they have ever accomplished. They want their experiences to be the reason their children do not make the same mistakes. They want them to have a better life but the smarter ones know better than to do all this @ the “hand out” levels.
All experiences are what they are; experiences good or bad. We are told to put bad experiences behind us. I believe we should put all experiences behind us. I like to call the bad experience part a “Goaltender’s Mentality”. Goal tenders are taught in the early stages of their career to put all bad goals and games behind them immediately. They do not dwell on the past. Why wouldn’t we all have a “Goaltender’s Mentality”? When you think about it, why wouldn’t we put all experiences behind us immediately after they happen; both good and bad? This will guard against complacency and sophistication and prevent the tragedy that surrounds good and bad experiences. Great experiences are supposed to be incentive to do better.
I find it real easy to “care” about our offspring. The “caring” that really counts to me is the “caring” that is visible when you really don’t’ have to “care”. It is easy to care about close knit friends and family. This is why Minnesota Hockey Camps is so dynamic. The standard of training your mind and body to be what we believe you can be is in place. There is no compromise and the only requirement is to come on board. You have a standing invite and license to “join our group”. Our goal is to create awareness by exposing assets and liabilities.
We even have a Template to follow that supports our beliefs and we do it unconditionally for all who attend. Our “caring” level extends far beyond friends and family. The “inner circle” has no limits. We become a part of the Board of Directors needed for you to have a great life. Your life is no different than a Corporation. You are Chairman of the Board for your life. There is always room for one more around that huge conference table you draw on a sheet of paper and we have no problem asking a non-contributor to give up their seat @ the table. You will need all of those board members as you move through life because there comes a time when your immediate family cannot help even though they are on the board.
The end results are even more friends for MHC’s extended family and more who grow up learning the value of “caring and sharing”.
“Be a detail person, one who cares and shares with others, before any personal gains. This foundation of a person will take you as far as you want to go.”
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights reserved.No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
I just received a message fm one of our parents who spends time with us during the summer months because he cares about the future of his son and has developed a caring level for others competing with his son. He wrote a number of things but the beginning intrigues me the most:
Chuck,
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments whether on your blog or on Facebook. I enjoy reading them all and look forward to seeing the next ones. I can relate to so many of the circumstances that you describe from my time as a player. He went on to say how he thinks about all of the things he could have done better.
My comments are simple:
I find it interesting you write this to me because I’ve been giving some thought to writing a blog on me not reaching my potential as an athlete and in real life. I don’t believe any of us reach our true potential and there is no better example than me. While it’s easy to rationalize, the plain and simple truth is we have all these unique skills and rarely maximize them. Most of us look back and are more likely to add the words “think I’m”, before critical words like curious, studying, working hard, training hard, sprinting hard, skating hard, playing hard. How many of us want to, and know how, to be a difference maker; go beyond our job description?
We have no way of knowing unless we find ourselves in a setting that WOWS us and opens our eyes to what is real in the sport or life in general. We need people to teach that perception and deception are deterrents to what is substance and reality. The biggest obstacle to overcome is thinking that simply showing up @ work, skating and playing games is going to do it for you. “I just do my job” doesn’t cut it.
When you know what it takes, and don’t apply, the rich only get richer. Those born to be there will be the beneficiary with less competition fm peers. I know superstars in the NHL that are performing well below their potential and I feel for them every time it gets played out in front of the world on TV or @ a game. None of this has to do with the skillset. They are obviously @ a skill threshold far beyond what they need. Most have blind spots that need to be exposed, and constructively critiqued, or they will never max out.
The pecking order can get altered real fast, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Rules become guidelines in a playground setting that is as close as it gets to the old playground with no parents around. All you had was a group of kids, two leaders picking teams, and they always seemed to be able to pick them in the order deserved. It has been interesting to go back over our careers and see how it all played out. The fun ones are the last guy picked being the huge success story in life. The equally fun ones have been the leaders staying grounded, because of their upbringing, and maintaining the gap. I’ve been witness to more than my share of careers with an unhappy ending and even some that failed to get off the ground. I’ve also been witness to so many becoming what we believed they can be the first time we saw them.
Our camp is great for all ages but the results start coming in fast after puberty kicks in. Prior to puberty is a great time to form the habits we need to be successful. Once puberty kicks in, we already have the love and passion for training and work. All we need to do is in place. Improving gets to be easier and fun. I sincerely believe hard work is fun because I watched my parents working hard and having fun. My Marine Corps experiences taught me how to do things I never dreamed I could do and I am forever grateful for my time in the service.
The results get magnified when young people receive some sort of indication that they are good, but only if the results are incentive to work harder. Unfortunately sophistication and complacency “rule” in too many lives that experience success. Perception and deception creep in over substance and reality.
The key is you wondering what you were thinking when you describe a situation where you were sub-standard and didn’t know “what I was thinking”. I wouldn’t want to even venture a guess on how many times I’ve asked, “What was I thinking?” This is the necessary fuel to help others become what you believe they can be. I believe parents will always want more for their kids than they had @ the same age and they want them going way beyond anything they have ever accomplished. They want their experiences to be the reason their children do not make the same mistakes. They want them to have a better life but the smarter ones know better than to do all this @ the “hand out” levels.
All experiences are what they are; experiences good or bad. We are told to put bad experiences behind us. I believe we should put all experiences behind us. I like to call the bad experience part a “Goaltender’s Mentality”. Goal tenders are taught in the early stages of their career to put all bad goals and games behind them immediately. They do not dwell on the past. Why wouldn’t we all have a “Goaltender’s Mentality”? When you think about it, why wouldn’t we put all experiences behind us immediately after they happen; both good and bad? This will guard against complacency and sophistication and prevent the tragedy that surrounds good and bad experiences. Great experiences are supposed to be incentive to do better.
I find it real easy to “care” about our offspring. The “caring” that really counts to me is the “caring” that is visible when you really don’t’ have to “care”. It is easy to care about close knit friends and family. This is why Minnesota Hockey Camps is so dynamic. The standard of training your mind and body to be what we believe you can be is in place. There is no compromise and the only requirement is to come on board. You have a standing invite and license to “join our group”. Our goal is to create awareness by exposing assets and liabilities.
We even have a Template to follow that supports our beliefs and we do it unconditionally for all who attend. Our “caring” level extends far beyond friends and family. The “inner circle” has no limits. We become a part of the Board of Directors needed for you to have a great life. Your life is no different than a Corporation. You are Chairman of the Board for your life. There is always room for one more around that huge conference table you draw on a sheet of paper and we have no problem asking a non-contributor to give up their seat @ the table. You will need all of those board members as you move through life because there comes a time when your immediate family cannot help even though they are on the board.
The end results are even more friends for MHC’s extended family and more who grow up learning the value of “caring and sharing”.
“Be a detail person, one who cares and shares with others, before any personal gains. This foundation of a person will take you as far as you want to go.”
Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com All rights reserved.No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
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