World Junior Evaluation Camp

World Junior Evaluation Camp

I always find it interesting to listen to the beliefs and thoughts of others when I go to these camps. You have people promoting something that isn’t there and then you have those more than willing to “box in” a young athlete who is nowhere near what he has the potential to be.

The latter one concerns me most because I would never want my own children to “buy in” to those who “box in”. Mentors have the obligation to “nurture nature”. Think about it!

Athletes are beyond becoming what you believe they can be, but it’s difficult for them when you are the one telling them what they can be. I’ve always believed more for young athletes for one simple reason. I’m not going to be the one mentor in their life who stifled their potential as a person or athlete. That being said, I am more than willing to teach them a “back up game”, or “game within their game”, that will enable them to make the next level. Every player needs this and in many cases they end up playing this role @ the NHL level.

Suffice to say, “I know a lot of players who could play @ a higher level in the NHL but do not because of a number of reasons. One, someone “boxed them in” along the way and they “bought in”. Two, their lifestyle keeps them fm putting the finishing touches on their game and in many cases causes them to lose even the secondary role they play on the team. Three, having a “clear head” is imperative for your feet and hands to work @ full capacity. Living right, and being proud for doing it, is the sure way of having a “clear head”. Being able to look in that mirror and like the person you see is paramount to success in any endeavor.

Hockey is a physically and mentally demanding sport. Maximizing your strength is a given. Split second thinking @ the quickest level possible is something to work on and requires a high fitness level. Both require proper rest and nutrition. Living right keeps the mind clear and your mind is in command of your feet and hands.

I would want my child to “buy in” to a temporary role on a World Junior Team if the sole intent was him being able to play this role for the good of the team. I would want those in my care to overachieve in the role so others could emulate them. Learning that role will serve you well down the road because that may be the way you earn the respect @ a higher level that enables you to make it to each level. Making the team has to happen before any of us are able to show what we really can do when given an opportunity.

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