Make-up of a Winner

Make up of a winner – Make up of a Winner

We care about what we do, work it and live it. Hockey has been a way of life versus a way to make a living. We have been in development for over 40 years now. I lost interest in the fantasy of sports not long after I started because I discovered image through perception was the furthest thing from what is real. I lost interest because I discovered real fast that image through perception was taking over in our society. I was witness to companies failing because people and athletes got caught up in perception and image being more important than substance and reality. Companies are people driven and perception and sound bytes just do not cut it.

Image resulting from substance is what we are looking for. Show people you are on the team for all the right reasons and you can be counted on to be there when they need you. Be respectful of what each player and staff member brings to the setting. This includes being there for your teammates and coaches after your playing days are over.

In my later years I have been consumed by the tragedy of sports, especially in the area of development. We have done the best we can do with the knowledge we have at our camp. As the years go by, we find we need more and more knowledge. This stems from observing both highly skilled and supposedly predictable players, as well as those with a blend of upside and skill, who fail to become what others believe and/or predicted they would be.

Our camp is a value paid, value received experience for many reasons. Our goal is to show a sincere love for the players and those who loyally work for the camp. We try to blend firmness with humor and fun. We are in to negotiating what is right for our players and employees while keeping in mind that discipline is paramount with so many on the grounds. We like to know what players think because this leads to a more positive training atmosphere. We recognize no two people are the same, so our treatment will not be the same. We do know that players who come to us have the potential to be under our care for a life time. “

Our obligation to them is greater than their obligation to us.”

We recognize that a much of what is done in the game today comes from consulting with players and negotiating the things we want them to do. It is in the best interest of both parties to determine assets that help define the role of the person and player. We also recognize the need for a game within their game.


We go through life and change is inevitable. While there is no harm in change, philosophies are updated as we get older. Our attitude changes as we gain experience and learn more. Young people gain from positive changes in our philosophies and beliefs. We can't expect everyone to believe in what we do. Some simply are not interested in what we do and do not want to put in the hours necessary to have a value paid, value received experience. We can accept that, but we still feel the need to speak our piece.

We have continued to preach that open-mindedness and willingness to learn and grow is the right way to go. When we are satisfied, reach a comfort zone, repeat ourselves or fail to progress, we should get out of the development business and do something else.

“Like our athletes, we never arrive.”

We can all learn something about ourselves when we take time to digest the beliefs of others. Nothing about us should be predictable outside of our willingness to learn and get better.

Players are in a position to control only what they can control when you are playing. Don’t worry about how many shifts you get or how your skills compare to other players. Worry about your assets; things you do well. The most important ingredient is preparation because you never know when you are going to get that opportunity.

“When you get the opportunity, overachieve in your asset categories.”

The big message is still, "What do I have to do to take my game to the highest level? What will insure or guarantee my success?" Training properly during the summer months is an insurance policy to succeed and still carries no guarantee. It is human nature to get up every morning to “Be whom and what we are”. We need to acquire a habit of getting up every morning to “Be as much as we can be”.

We like to build a team setting in the weight room, dryland and ice sheet where players have fun exchanging ideas with each other and laughing their way through a work out. We want players to think their way through games, practice, plyos, strength training, jumping and sprinting; to come up with an understanding of why it is all good. I've always been under the impression that we must respect each player's intelligence to the point where players are allowed to think their way through games and training sessions versus simply executing a person's thoughts. The new breed of coach is too domineering. They jump on the 1st mistake versus letting a player figure it out by emulating someone who does that particular skill or play to perfection. They lack respect for players' intelligence levels. This is why Herb Brook’s system was the best for young people who wanted to improve.



Young people have to understand that they will emulate excellence if they permit themselves to emulate excellence.The smart players and teams have players in shape before training camp. The smart player learns to maximize his potential through honest training sessions. This way they get off to a good start. Some are on their way to great seasons and playoffs while other players and teams are still getting in shape.When we talk, we have to know what we are talking about; and I think we do. When we write, make sure we understand what we are writing about; and I think we do.

My relationship with Herb Brooks taught me that it is not all bad to be provocative because it is thought provoking. We have an opinion and we know we put ourselves in a position to attract scorn from people with different beliefs in what we do. This is what makes it all so special. The bottom line is there are too many examples of career tragedies to ignore what is happening right in front of our own eyes. This would not happen if a training regimen was laid out to a point where young people felt it was not only fun but required for success. Your position in the games reaches far beyond your own community.

“Think big, believe big things can happen, keep the rink big and big things have a better chance of happening.”

When I was involved with Herbie, he would always call when he had a new idea. When he was in the mood to talk, I was mesmerized by what he had to say. He was a confrontational, provocative thinker and doer that made you think and respond in a way that fit your own skills. If you listened carefully there was a message in his words that fit your personality and assets. It wasn't about copying Herbie. That is what made him unique when compared to others. If you felt like responding you better be prepared to say what you think and know what you are talking about.Herb had the unique ability to rip and praise you @ the same time if you listened carefully. He understood people and what made each person go. He could have coached in any era because he had the respect of the players. Respect, loyalty and love are all earned. He had a way of earning your respect and loyalty. The end result was love for the man. This is what we are striving for @ this camp.

As I walked by his mural @ the University of Minnesota each year, I stop to say hi in a way only the two of us would understand. I did it when the building was almost empty and I did it both nights I was there on October 27 and 28, 2006 because I forgot a few things the first night. I was quick to point out that he deserved to go in to the NHL Hall of Fame for all the right reasons.I think of all the things we write and say because of our experiences. Many people see what we say and do as a criticism of what is going on in the game and society today. We’ve been accused of bashing agencies and people when all we are doing is attempting to create awareness for the good of any athlete. If awareness and exposure provokes anything but thinking about where we are today, we have a misunderstanding of the meaning of both words.


We are saying things based on our experiences and that is the honest truth. This makes what we say alright because everyone in this country has a right to their opinion. No one has to agree with us but they should respect our right to say it and then decide how it fits them or their child; or if it fits them and their child. The ability to expose and create awareness is the one thing I love most about this camp and my life.We have to do everything with a little flair plus a lot of humor; and things will go our way. I want our athletes to leave this place knowing they have a right and an obligation to themselves to overachieve in their asset categories with charisma, character and composure. They have a right to have an attitude, boldness, gregariousness and a swagger just like anyone else. They do all this by ridding themselves of any and all inhibitions while executing during a critical moment. They also have to understand that doing and saying things, whether great or not so good, sets a person up to be critiqued. Once we show even a glimpse of excellence as a player, or take the time to document our beliefs, we set ourselves up to be critiqued.“Maximizing potential cannot be achieved in a domineering atmosphere.”

The neat thing about being competitive, whether in business or a sport, is the opponent is just like you. There is a great deal of respect for competitors who take their assets to the highest level. You come to realize that these competitors could end up being your best friends after you shake hands and begin to share what works in developing people and players.

We go in to all this knowing we are setting ourselves up to be critiqued and criticized; no different than a player who makes a statement during a shift on the ice. I wouldn’t want to live my life any other way.

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