Textbook Hockey

U-18 Textbook Hockey

Good things happen to good people, and they continue to happen for those with a passion for life and the game. This is why USA U18 coach, Kurt Kleinendorst, is enjoying a gold medal with his support staff and players. Some, like Tim Taylor & Scott Monaghan have been @ it a long time and enjoying the fruits of commitment. Others, like Joe Exter, John Wroblewski, Cole Bassett and Brock Bradley are younger and bring a youthful refreshing outlook to the game. Joe’s work with the goaltenders should be recognized because it is visible.

Textbook game, textbook line rushes, textbook puck movement, textbook team defense, textbook goaltending and textbook story on the value of development when pursued in the proper manner and setting. The coach, entire staff and players are a tight knit group that worked and played for each other.

They learned the value of sharing and caring while playing hard and the rewards are apparent. I was one who observed their maturity level just seven (7) months ago to this moment in the Minsk airport. This is now a group of young men that realize their young lives became a business before most of their high school friends would ever begin thinking of their young life as a business. This happens to all young people who work to gain notoriety.

I can't remember liking a team any more than watching this group. Congratulations to a group who are now linked for life. I have seen some equal, like Pittsburgh with Dan Bylsma and staff in the Stanley Cup last season, but no better coaching job or team play as I witnessed in Minsk.

Now is the time to guard against the sophistication, complacency and tragedy that has a way of creeping in to success stories. We're hoping this is incentive to continue going beyond your job description in your career and real life. Maintain a chip on your shoulder mentality and recognize we never arrive in life. This will prevent anyone fm boxing you in.

This group is unconditionally looking for someone to share the puck. They are an extension of the head coach, one who grew up caring and sharing while being a very detailed athlete before any personal gains.

We've known Kurt as far back as we can remember when he was growing up in Grand Rapids, MN. He is still the same Kurt, one who knows and values the words humble and grateful for the privilege of being part of the game.

If you go back to September, when this team was assembled, there is clear evidence of players validating and anointing themselves beyond the beliefs, reports, thoughts and ratings of the hockey world in general. The pecking order has changed dramatically and that will prove itself out @ the NHL draft and again and again up to the time this group is 25 or 26 years old if the players persevere through all the scrutiny and adversity.

“There was a beginning and you are somewhere in between and all that matters is the end.”

The team had their share of heat seeking missiles capable of answering the bell if someone wanted to play a game of intimidation. Kurt loves this team and each player’s value to the team was huge. Some led the way in hits and others emulated as they overachieved in their asset categories. This theory held true whether it was infectious play, sharing the pucks, making plays, scoring or executing in a critical moment. Each player overachieved and all emulated each other to the degree possible. This is how the game should be played and this how games are won and championship teams are built: People sharing, whether pucks or information; people emulating those who overachieve in their asset categories during critical moments throughout the course of the game. Teams doing this grow together as a team.

This is what life is all about: validating and anointing yourself while possessing the skills and willingness to express your skills with zero inhibitions; outworking and outperforming your opponent in life.

This was another one of those momentous occasions with great lessons on how life works, people improve and organizations win together.

Russia seemed to move more toward star power as the tournament progressed. Their team was quick to fade in to the sunset. Sweden had a team game that mirrored USA and was good enough to make the final game a game of inches; a worthy and respected opponent who needed to make more breaks for themselves. Like the USA they had performances that put the pecking order to shambles. Finland once again won Bronze with their team game and earned the respect of those in attendance. This Finnish group is a team of underdog overachievers and an extension of a small hockey nation with immense pride. Canada was two goals short in the Swiss game and that stripped them of any opportunity to build on their hockey tradition.

This opens the door for a new kid on the block to walk through and challenge for hockey supremacy. An attitude, swagger, gregariousness, boldness and competitive instincts can make that happen. –Ole Gringo-

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