Product of Environment
Versus
Product of Effort and Experiences
I read in so many cases where we are products of our environment. Our job with people who struggle because of their environment is to make them a product of this camp, hockey and real life experiences. The environment should not be part of the equation if we are doing what we need to do. There are too many examples out there of young people realizing their dreams out of the worst settings one could possibly have. I know young people who are well off, from great homes, and still a product of an environment that failed to teach them, “Smart and hard work is what works if you have a dream, but none of this happens without opportunity”. There are many times when I feel this urge to give a young person some type of reward with the hope that it is incentive to do more. More often than not, it is a huge mistake on my part. I should have put it aside and let them work for it. Take some time and count the number of times this has happened to you. The numbers will grow fast, yet we all know rewards can just as easily translate in to incentive when executed properly.
If one person out of all of those rewarded grows sophisticated and complacent in their approach to everyday life, it is a mistake. Mistakes made with young people are close to being criminal.
How do we keep young people on track to catch and pass those picked to move ahead of them; whether draft picks or young people selected for special teams in USA / Canada hockey or even each team in their home area? Our first responsibility is to create an awareness of how life works. There is a history of people catching up and passing the “chosen ones” if they get the right help and develop a “chip on their shoulder” mentality. I see so many players left out of the mix because of money, numbers, physical maturity and wrong decisions. This is evidence that those “chosen” better acquire and maintain a “chip on their shoulder” mentality.
The questions will always remain. How do we change a child fm the product of their environment to the product of their effort and experiences in life? Young people can choose to work out with people who are driven or can choose to go fishing. Hard work is the only spring board I know when it comes to launching a career. I’ve been in a position where I’ve given young people more than enough opportunity to “run with it” and make something out of the situation. Once presented, they find out they only “thought” that wanted it. Think of all those you know that are a product of their environment versus a product of their effort and experiences. Is opportunity staring you in the face; are you capable of recognizing it when it’s all there?
If you want to be happy for an hour, sleep in or shirk a duty that you don’t like. If you want to be happy for a day, skip dryland, weights and classroom; and go fishing. If you want to be happy for a month, inherit a fortune. If you want to be happy for a year, win a major award or championship of some kind. If you want to be happy for a life time, be a detail person, help others before any personal gains, and get it done in the process. Give some thought about all those responsible for your opportunity in life; then be one who looks to give opportunities to others.
These things continue to haunt me as I make myself available to young people while owning this camp. It gets awful tiring and even more tiring when it’s your own involved, whether family or others who are part of your life through the camp, draft, free agency or trades. My idea of a great life is doing what I am doing. I have worked hard to make myself a product of everything I do in my life. Some people are satisfied being accepted as a product of their environment. My wish is that gets transformed in to effort and experiences; experiences handed out by those in a position to grant opportunities.
I am one of those average guys who had the benefit of being around great people. When I think of my teaching and coaching experience, I am one who put in the effort but was the beneficiary of some great athletes, parents and fellow staff members. When I got in to pro hockey, I’ve been the beneficiary of some great athletes as draft picks, free agents and trades as well as being a part of teams with Craig Patrick, George Gund and Mario Lemieux @ the controls. Our camp in Minnesota has been a God send starting with Herb Brooks and moving on through all the staff members and great young people who have gone on to be productive citizens and quality athletes both in and out of hockey.
Success story I’ve been a part of are a tribute to all the great people I’ve had the good fortune to work with. I have lived five occupational dreams; Marine Corps, teaching, coaching, pro hockey and Minnesota Hockey Camps. All of them are very high reward occupations and most of my experiences will be with me forever because I was able to have an impact on others who in turn impacted my life.
-Ole Gringo-
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Pinpointing, evaluating, selecting, nurturing talent
Pinpointing, Evaluating, Selecting, Nurturing, Developing = Winning & Rewards
I observed the testing @ the NHL combine and all the games in the Stanley Cup final. My thoughts returned to scouting, nurturing and developing players. I did put in some time (one dozen pages of type written notes represent time and thought; not always smarts) but it is only time and they are only thought provoking comments. Joe Ciardelli, our strength and conditioning coach, did the analytics on the testing for me. We all know tests are what they are. They give us some indication of where we are the day we take them. While they give us some back up material, the results are only good if you can test them each year to measure improvement. There are too many high ranked players who have tested poorly and gone on to be premier players in the league. This is why the person becomes more important than the player. This is why “real people” are more important than regular people and acquiring the skill to express your skills is paramount.
I have to assume the coaches want real people who are fun to hang out with, but have a work ethic that sets them apart from others. They like players built by aggression and power; propelled by a fierce competitive spirit and strong leg drive. All the players on the list have talent. We need to find the talented players who are not afraid of getting better in specific areas; always looking to improve on their liabilities and maximizing their assets. Players end up forging a career because of things they do extremely well. Their liabilities get managed and unnoticeable, but that has to happen. There are some that turn a liability in to an asset.
When it comes to the body, the players with “room” (frame) to get better, as well as some genetic power and jump that can be measured, will probably move on by their opponent in the game; this depending on the person’s work ethic, not the player’s skill set. There are a lot of “ifs”.
Every player has to get improve and all have to get bigger, quicker, stronger and faster. We are looking for players who are wrapped up in “results”, not “themselves”; young people who care about their teammates before any personal gains. The success ratio would be higher if young people were aware of how life and careers work. We spend every day teaching them how to skate, shoot, pass, receive, make plays and score. We might give one or two lectures on how life works. This is a quick fix with little or no staying power. When they figure out how life works, their careers take off, but much of this is left to the player when it doesn’t have to be that way.
Once you reach a certain threshold of skill, size, speed & strength, sense (common & hockey), your career level can be defined and you have as good a chance as the next player. Our priority is to help every young person reach the highest possible threshold.
The list gets narrowed down pretty good, because most young people are unaware of how life really works. When they figure it out (and the good ones do), their game seems to get better. I wonder why?
This is what I’ve told every young person I’ve ever met that “thinks” they want to be a player; that “thinks” they work out; that “thinks” they have a passion for the game. There are times in our lives and careers when preparation and perseverance meet opportunity and adversity in life’s journey. Are you ready for the adversity and that critical moment or do you “think” you are ready? Are you prepared for the scrutiny coming your way when performance and winning really matter?
Once all this is sorted out, players are selected. They need someone they can trust, someone who visibly believes in them; someone with a history of helping young people help themselves. The process gets to be pretty complex. This gets scouts off the hook. There are no bad picks; just flaws in the nurturing process.
If every parent, mentor and agent that represents young people would work at making this happen, the NHL would be greater than it is. Notice I said “mentor”, not “coach”. There are coaches and there are mentors. Mentors are a quite a few levels up on coaches. Watch the bench. Some coaches put their hands on the shoulders of the person they are talking with; others simply get behind them and talk. The shoulder method gets more results and could be the difference in beating a superior opponent. I use the word person and not player because that player they are talking with is a person. I notice both Dan Bylsma and Tom Fitzgerald with their hands on the shoulders of the players when they are talking with them. I use the words “talking with” and not the words “talking to” because there is a difference. I assume Mike Yeo does the same because it seems to be the way they work as a staff. The staff has a way of “talking with” players. This is the most glaring reason for the successful march for the Cup in 2009.
Gilles Meloche told me on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, “This staff is the real deal. They are very thorough, know what they are doing, how they are going to get there and are fun to work with.”
The march to the Cup is as complex as pinpointing, evaluating, selecting, nurturing and developing players with charisma, zero inhibitions, willing and able to express themselves and capable of over achieving in their asset categories; a multiple stage and complex process. These players get to be who they are because someone created an awareness of constructive criticism and they helped them figure out how life really works.
There has been more than one person say, “The underlying reason for my success is they believed in me and I believed in them. Someone showed me how to see myself the way others see me so I could grow.”
Everyone has at least one unique skill; some more. Judge them on their execution and infectious level when they are in a position to use those talents; especially during "critical moments". Play free, play proud, play smart and play on the edge with the consequences in mind. This means you know the score of the game, the time of the game, how your play affects your teammates and organization and what would happen if you made a wrong decision.
-Ole Gringo
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
I observed the testing @ the NHL combine and all the games in the Stanley Cup final. My thoughts returned to scouting, nurturing and developing players. I did put in some time (one dozen pages of type written notes represent time and thought; not always smarts) but it is only time and they are only thought provoking comments. Joe Ciardelli, our strength and conditioning coach, did the analytics on the testing for me. We all know tests are what they are. They give us some indication of where we are the day we take them. While they give us some back up material, the results are only good if you can test them each year to measure improvement. There are too many high ranked players who have tested poorly and gone on to be premier players in the league. This is why the person becomes more important than the player. This is why “real people” are more important than regular people and acquiring the skill to express your skills is paramount.
I have to assume the coaches want real people who are fun to hang out with, but have a work ethic that sets them apart from others. They like players built by aggression and power; propelled by a fierce competitive spirit and strong leg drive. All the players on the list have talent. We need to find the talented players who are not afraid of getting better in specific areas; always looking to improve on their liabilities and maximizing their assets. Players end up forging a career because of things they do extremely well. Their liabilities get managed and unnoticeable, but that has to happen. There are some that turn a liability in to an asset.
When it comes to the body, the players with “room” (frame) to get better, as well as some genetic power and jump that can be measured, will probably move on by their opponent in the game; this depending on the person’s work ethic, not the player’s skill set. There are a lot of “ifs”.
Every player has to get improve and all have to get bigger, quicker, stronger and faster. We are looking for players who are wrapped up in “results”, not “themselves”; young people who care about their teammates before any personal gains. The success ratio would be higher if young people were aware of how life and careers work. We spend every day teaching them how to skate, shoot, pass, receive, make plays and score. We might give one or two lectures on how life works. This is a quick fix with little or no staying power. When they figure out how life works, their careers take off, but much of this is left to the player when it doesn’t have to be that way.
Once you reach a certain threshold of skill, size, speed & strength, sense (common & hockey), your career level can be defined and you have as good a chance as the next player. Our priority is to help every young person reach the highest possible threshold.
The list gets narrowed down pretty good, because most young people are unaware of how life really works. When they figure it out (and the good ones do), their game seems to get better. I wonder why?
This is what I’ve told every young person I’ve ever met that “thinks” they want to be a player; that “thinks” they work out; that “thinks” they have a passion for the game. There are times in our lives and careers when preparation and perseverance meet opportunity and adversity in life’s journey. Are you ready for the adversity and that critical moment or do you “think” you are ready? Are you prepared for the scrutiny coming your way when performance and winning really matter?
Once all this is sorted out, players are selected. They need someone they can trust, someone who visibly believes in them; someone with a history of helping young people help themselves. The process gets to be pretty complex. This gets scouts off the hook. There are no bad picks; just flaws in the nurturing process.
If every parent, mentor and agent that represents young people would work at making this happen, the NHL would be greater than it is. Notice I said “mentor”, not “coach”. There are coaches and there are mentors. Mentors are a quite a few levels up on coaches. Watch the bench. Some coaches put their hands on the shoulders of the person they are talking with; others simply get behind them and talk. The shoulder method gets more results and could be the difference in beating a superior opponent. I use the word person and not player because that player they are talking with is a person. I notice both Dan Bylsma and Tom Fitzgerald with their hands on the shoulders of the players when they are talking with them. I use the words “talking with” and not the words “talking to” because there is a difference. I assume Mike Yeo does the same because it seems to be the way they work as a staff. The staff has a way of “talking with” players. This is the most glaring reason for the successful march for the Cup in 2009.
Gilles Meloche told me on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, “This staff is the real deal. They are very thorough, know what they are doing, how they are going to get there and are fun to work with.”
The march to the Cup is as complex as pinpointing, evaluating, selecting, nurturing and developing players with charisma, zero inhibitions, willing and able to express themselves and capable of over achieving in their asset categories; a multiple stage and complex process. These players get to be who they are because someone created an awareness of constructive criticism and they helped them figure out how life really works.
There has been more than one person say, “The underlying reason for my success is they believed in me and I believed in them. Someone showed me how to see myself the way others see me so I could grow.”
Everyone has at least one unique skill; some more. Judge them on their execution and infectious level when they are in a position to use those talents; especially during "critical moments". Play free, play proud, play smart and play on the edge with the consequences in mind. This means you know the score of the game, the time of the game, how your play affects your teammates and organization and what would happen if you made a wrong decision.
-Ole Gringo
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Monday, December 7, 2009
Mentoring - A responsibility beyond imagination
MENTORS CREATING AWARENESS
“The most teachable moments are when a young player realizes he has a bad game, make a mistake or falls short in some category. This is the time to reflect, reach in to the future and impact a person’s life by making it better.”
MENTORS CREATING AWARENESS
Priorities are simple when dealing with aspiring athletes;
“My obligations to you are greater than your obligations to me.”
People you mentor need to know how you feel about them, what the future plans are, where they are going and how they are going to get there.
“Great mentors have that unique ability to read the heart, soul and mind of a person and put it in to words AND on paper. We all share some basic psychological needs. Some of those needs are being liked and respected for things we work hard for and do well. We need to have an understanding of where we are going and how we are going to get there. We need to know why we are liked and appreciated. We need to sort out our assets and liabilities so we can formulate a plan.”
Successful leaders and “real” people/players know themselves inside and out, appreciate teammates who are different than they are, and have the unique ability to adjust and win in any situation. They empower people to be who they are and give steady direction toward the end result. They fully understand that developing mentally is a much tougher task than developing physically. Mindset rules over skillset. Ability to express your skills will ultimately determine your success.
When people know and understand themselves, all their strengths will surface. Understanding your “blind spots” is paramount. This is nothing more than you seeing yourself like others see you. One, there are things you know about yourself that others know, and you are comfortable with it. Two, there are things you know about yourself, that others will never know, and you are comfortable with that. We all have skeletons in our closest, but we learn to live with them. I had to build another closest. Three, there are all the “blind spots” that prevent us from being what we can be; our failure to see ourselves like others see us. Four, there is the sub-conscious mind; so powerful that it doesn’t know what is real and what is imagined and is influenced by the first three. Knowing and understanding all four allows us to live, train, compete and execute with a “clear head”. This is one way to acquire the ability to express our skills.
Good mentors adapt to a person’s behavioral style. The style of the mentor is not near as important as the mentor adapting to other peoples’ styles. When people sense you have a passion for what you do, and you “really care” about them, you will be able to maximize their potential.
Mentoring is all about creating an awareness; an awareness of how life and the mind work, an awareness of assets and liabilities, an awareness of assets and liabilities that others see in you that you do not see in yourself and finally an awareness of; “Where am I @ this moment in my life and career?” Do I possess that unique skill of expressing my skills? Mentors raise your curiosity level and cause you to think. This is the goal of our camp in the Brainerd Lakes Area; do this for every player. This is our primary goal. Players begin to improve when they are able to constructively critique, and see in themselves, what others see.
Sharing our trade secrets is the most positive way to mentor young people. The idea of “giving back” and “sharing concepts” defines a true mentor. There is nothing like instilling character, ethics and decision making skills in young players. There are too many “formal mentors” in the world. Mentoring isn’t a title. We need to get to a level where “informal mentors” do what they do because they want a daily diet of interacting with those they unconditionally care for and they do it out of love for the person, the game and life. The same holds true for all leaders; this will enable every management, scouting and coaching staff to reach their full potential.
The important thing to remember when dealing with natural athletes is;
“The last thing to develop is the attitude, swagger, boldness and killer instinct.” They are so gifted that they tend to think that everything “just happens”. “All I need is my equipment and a chance and it will happen.” Life doesn’t work that way. Until we figure out life, we can’t figure out how to express our skills.
It all comes down to defining your beliefs and then showing those in your care that you are “real and passionate” about your life and work. Examine, evaluate and determine your “real beliefs” and always tell it like it is. This way you will never be put in a position to remember what you say.
Everyone needs mentors; from CEO’s and leaders of companies down to every single employee in the company. Every person needs to learn, grow and become more than what we are. Change is inevitable. We all need someone who has been down the road and want to help us get where we want to go; not where we “think we want to go, but really want to go.”
The speeches @ the beginning of the season are great and so is that first visit with those who are in your care. If there is no steady follow-up, that speech and visit are meaningless and forgotten in a very short time. Lasting effects are the goal of every good mentor so follow-up is important. Talking “with”, versus talking “to”, is imperative.
“Responsibility is accepting what needs to be done; accountability is doing what needs to be done!”
I don’t know of an experience in life that teaches us more about ourselves than mentoring others. We learn something from every mentoring experience. “Real people” are always willing to share their thoughts, ideas and beliefs. They are not “role players responding to the environment of the moment”. They do what they want, and feel like doing, based on their beliefs, morals and convictions. They do not worry about changing with the environment of the situation and they do not look over your shoulder to make contact with a more important person in the room or setting.
Most great mentors have been down the road and they have maintained a curiosity about life that enables them to grow. They have a tremendous passion for life, the game and the future of others. Some are former players and will not be one of those ex-players resigned to sitting around, drinking beer, playing cards and telling old "war stories". They are going to have a worthwhile experience to talk about every single day of their life as a mentor.
There are no secrets to success. You will never hear a successful player say, "I lived my life for myself, I slept in everyday, I am a couch potato, I didn't train and I live to drink beer with my buddies. In addition, I have zero energy, no real interests, I am unethical, lethargic, have zero vision, have been accused of narcissism and guess what? I just landed in the NHL because I was drafted or someone thought I was a decent free agent.”
You will hear them say, “I am a detail person and I care about others. I have always put the welfare of those I care about ahead of any personal gain. I am finding more success by sharing than I would have by standing alone. I have a work ethic second to none both on and off the ice.”
You also want to hear them say, “Hockey brings me a lot of joy. The rink is the one place where I can be myself, have peace with myself, because I’ve learned how to have fun and express myself.”
- Ole Gringo -
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
“The most teachable moments are when a young player realizes he has a bad game, make a mistake or falls short in some category. This is the time to reflect, reach in to the future and impact a person’s life by making it better.”
MENTORS CREATING AWARENESS
Priorities are simple when dealing with aspiring athletes;
“My obligations to you are greater than your obligations to me.”
People you mentor need to know how you feel about them, what the future plans are, where they are going and how they are going to get there.
“Great mentors have that unique ability to read the heart, soul and mind of a person and put it in to words AND on paper. We all share some basic psychological needs. Some of those needs are being liked and respected for things we work hard for and do well. We need to have an understanding of where we are going and how we are going to get there. We need to know why we are liked and appreciated. We need to sort out our assets and liabilities so we can formulate a plan.”
Successful leaders and “real” people/players know themselves inside and out, appreciate teammates who are different than they are, and have the unique ability to adjust and win in any situation. They empower people to be who they are and give steady direction toward the end result. They fully understand that developing mentally is a much tougher task than developing physically. Mindset rules over skillset. Ability to express your skills will ultimately determine your success.
When people know and understand themselves, all their strengths will surface. Understanding your “blind spots” is paramount. This is nothing more than you seeing yourself like others see you. One, there are things you know about yourself that others know, and you are comfortable with it. Two, there are things you know about yourself, that others will never know, and you are comfortable with that. We all have skeletons in our closest, but we learn to live with them. I had to build another closest. Three, there are all the “blind spots” that prevent us from being what we can be; our failure to see ourselves like others see us. Four, there is the sub-conscious mind; so powerful that it doesn’t know what is real and what is imagined and is influenced by the first three. Knowing and understanding all four allows us to live, train, compete and execute with a “clear head”. This is one way to acquire the ability to express our skills.
Good mentors adapt to a person’s behavioral style. The style of the mentor is not near as important as the mentor adapting to other peoples’ styles. When people sense you have a passion for what you do, and you “really care” about them, you will be able to maximize their potential.
Mentoring is all about creating an awareness; an awareness of how life and the mind work, an awareness of assets and liabilities, an awareness of assets and liabilities that others see in you that you do not see in yourself and finally an awareness of; “Where am I @ this moment in my life and career?” Do I possess that unique skill of expressing my skills? Mentors raise your curiosity level and cause you to think. This is the goal of our camp in the Brainerd Lakes Area; do this for every player. This is our primary goal. Players begin to improve when they are able to constructively critique, and see in themselves, what others see.
Sharing our trade secrets is the most positive way to mentor young people. The idea of “giving back” and “sharing concepts” defines a true mentor. There is nothing like instilling character, ethics and decision making skills in young players. There are too many “formal mentors” in the world. Mentoring isn’t a title. We need to get to a level where “informal mentors” do what they do because they want a daily diet of interacting with those they unconditionally care for and they do it out of love for the person, the game and life. The same holds true for all leaders; this will enable every management, scouting and coaching staff to reach their full potential.
The important thing to remember when dealing with natural athletes is;
“The last thing to develop is the attitude, swagger, boldness and killer instinct.” They are so gifted that they tend to think that everything “just happens”. “All I need is my equipment and a chance and it will happen.” Life doesn’t work that way. Until we figure out life, we can’t figure out how to express our skills.
It all comes down to defining your beliefs and then showing those in your care that you are “real and passionate” about your life and work. Examine, evaluate and determine your “real beliefs” and always tell it like it is. This way you will never be put in a position to remember what you say.
Everyone needs mentors; from CEO’s and leaders of companies down to every single employee in the company. Every person needs to learn, grow and become more than what we are. Change is inevitable. We all need someone who has been down the road and want to help us get where we want to go; not where we “think we want to go, but really want to go.”
The speeches @ the beginning of the season are great and so is that first visit with those who are in your care. If there is no steady follow-up, that speech and visit are meaningless and forgotten in a very short time. Lasting effects are the goal of every good mentor so follow-up is important. Talking “with”, versus talking “to”, is imperative.
“Responsibility is accepting what needs to be done; accountability is doing what needs to be done!”
I don’t know of an experience in life that teaches us more about ourselves than mentoring others. We learn something from every mentoring experience. “Real people” are always willing to share their thoughts, ideas and beliefs. They are not “role players responding to the environment of the moment”. They do what they want, and feel like doing, based on their beliefs, morals and convictions. They do not worry about changing with the environment of the situation and they do not look over your shoulder to make contact with a more important person in the room or setting.
Most great mentors have been down the road and they have maintained a curiosity about life that enables them to grow. They have a tremendous passion for life, the game and the future of others. Some are former players and will not be one of those ex-players resigned to sitting around, drinking beer, playing cards and telling old "war stories". They are going to have a worthwhile experience to talk about every single day of their life as a mentor.
There are no secrets to success. You will never hear a successful player say, "I lived my life for myself, I slept in everyday, I am a couch potato, I didn't train and I live to drink beer with my buddies. In addition, I have zero energy, no real interests, I am unethical, lethargic, have zero vision, have been accused of narcissism and guess what? I just landed in the NHL because I was drafted or someone thought I was a decent free agent.”
You will hear them say, “I am a detail person and I care about others. I have always put the welfare of those I care about ahead of any personal gain. I am finding more success by sharing than I would have by standing alone. I have a work ethic second to none both on and off the ice.”
You also want to hear them say, “Hockey brings me a lot of joy. The rink is the one place where I can be myself, have peace with myself, because I’ve learned how to have fun and express myself.”
- Ole Gringo -
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
A Dream, a Pillow and a Stanley Cup
Penguins let Chuck Grillo achieve his goal
By THOR NYSTROM
Sports Writer
Chuck Grillo didn't jump from his seat, he didn't high five those sitting around him, he didn't yell. As Grillo watched the arena's clock strike zero - and signify the fulfillment of his life's dream - his mind wandered.He thought of his father, Dominic, who worked in the mines for 42 years and never missed a day of work. The father who worked overtime to buy Chuck his first pair of skates. They cost $19. He thought of the high school teams that he coached in Bemidji and his family (wife, Clairene, their six children and 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild) and everyone who had given him an opportunity over the years.
Clairene is one who has always empowered Chuck to live his life and for that he is eternally grateful.
He thought of his mother Doris, who had recently been put in assisted living. In his mind's eye, Chuck could see her tears. He was crying, too.When the buzzer sounded, he'd finally captured what had evaded him for nearly 70 years.Penguins 2, Red Wings 1. Chuck Grillo was part of a Stanley Cup championship. Grillo, an amateur scout for the Penguins and owner of Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa, has had a singular obsession while working in the NHL for the last three decades.The drive may at times have manifested itself as neurotic, such as the time in the late '80s when he refused to touch or take a picture with the Stanley Cup when Phil Esposito brought it to the New York Rangers training camp. When Esposito asked Grillo why, the scout said he would wait until the team had won it.
Grillo frequently talked with longtime friend Herb Brooks about the Holy Grail and how he was going to stay in the game until he was part of a championship. He always told his wife, Clairene, that he would be a Stanley Cup winner before he turned 70. And so he was. Grillo's 70th birthday is on July 24, 2009."I've been chasing that thing for 30 years," Grillo said. "You dream about it all your life. I've been on the ice since I was three years old. You dream about winning the Cup a lot on the ice outdoors. "And so here is Grillo, sitting in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. It's June 12; Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. The young Penguins are a prohibitive underdog against the mighty Red Wings."One hundred out of one hundred people working in the game would have picked Detroit in the final game," Grillo said.
He's getting text messages from his young grandchildren Sophia and Monique: "Malkin for President!" one says. Another says: "Talbot shelved that like a librarian, Grandpa!"Pittsburgh held on for a tight - but convincing - 2-1 victory. Grillo, subdued and pensive, responded to each one of the congratulatory text messages in his inbox. Then he got up from his seat and moved downstairs to get on the ice."You see those eight, nine, 10 kids that you played a role in them being drafted, and you look in their eyes, you look at their families, it's special," Grillo said.He went to the locker room. Experienced the mania. It was loud and champagne was flying.
"I wasn't going to have any alcohol or anything like that to ruin the experience," Grillo said. "No champagne or anything like that. I wanted to soak it all in. That's what I did. Around 12:15, Mario Lemieux came in the locker room. He decided to hoist the Cup over his head one more time. One person in the room asked if we could take a picture of him. The next thing you know he is still standing with the Cup taking pictures for 30 or 45 minutes. And his wife is waiting patiently in the hallway with a smile; they have a flight to catch home. He didn't care."Chuck had to bend his imbibing rule slightly when he was passed the Cup. It was large and glistening - and filled with Bud Light. He took two gulps from the trophy he'd spent his life chasing. Sweetest drinks of his life. "There were over 200 people drinking out of the Cup and there wasn't anyone in the room worried about swine flu," Grillo said.
Grillo thinks he will get a championship ring, but he isn't exactly sure how that works. He says he'd trade a ring to have his name engraved on the Cup. Grillo's son Dino tells him that there is room for 52 names on the cup - enough space for the coaching staff, front office and scouts."I'd like to believe that I've done enough to earn that. But that's not my decision," Grillo said. Chuck and his family built the Greenhaven outdoor rink in Hibbing in 1954. If he's allowed to have the Cup for a day or two, that's where he's headed with it."Just to sit with it," Grillo said. "There are too many memories there."
Grillo says the life of a scout isn't glamorous. It's not until the exposition that you realize how right he is.He attended 341 hockey games in the past year (a "scouting year" in hockey is from July 1 to June 30). Last year he went to 376 and had a personal-record 42-day scouting trip. Before that, the most games he had ever attended in a season was 311. He got into a playful banter with former Penguins Chief Scout Greg Malone. Grillo announced that he was going to break his own record. And so, at the age of 68, he averaged more than one game scouted a day.In the last year, he has spent 202 nights in hotels. His scouting trips take him around the United States and Canada but also overseas to Finland, Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovakia and, less occasionally, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Slovenia, Poland and Austria.
Grillo has amassed a ludicrous 1.9 million Marriott points and 1.5 million miles on Northwest Airlines."When I do decide to retire, I'll be traveling free for a while," Grillo says with a laugh.The workdays are long, typically around 16 hours. He is lucky to get two days off a month. And those two days are filled with clerical work, such as typing up reports and making reservations for his next road trip."I wish I had as many brains as I have drive,"
Grillo said.Chuck Grillo was a 40-year-old teacher in Rosemount when he sent handwritten letters to six NHL general managers detailing his interest in a professional scouting career. He got two responses.Lou Nanne of the North Stars wrote to say thank you, but Grillo just didn't have enough experience. But Craig Patrick of the Rangers called. He wanted Grillo to come to New York.Grillo, a teacher of 14 years, met with the school board later and asked for a five-year sabbatical. The board convened and returned with its decision. It was a no and Grillo replied, "You pay me to stand up in front of a room of children and tell them to chase their dreams," Grillo told the board. "If I fail to do that, what kind of coach would I be? You leave me no recourse. I have to do what I've asked kids to do. So I quit."
Grillo would scout for the Rangers for eight years. He moved on to Minnesota, where he served as director of pro scouting from 1988-90 with the North Stars, and then to San Jose, where he moved up to become the executive vice president, director of player personnel for the Sharks from 1995-96. Grillo spent eight years with the Sharks before moving to the Penguins.He has been with the Pittsburgh organization for eight years. It wasn't always easy. Craig Patrick - the man who had started Grillo in the business and subsequently became the Penguins' GM - was relieved of his duties in 2006.
Pittsburgh brought in Ray Shero to lead the show.Shero called Grillo in for a meeting after the 2006 amateur draft in Vancouver. He told the veteran scout that he was free to look around for another job because there were no guarantees that he would be asked back."I will not be looking around," Grillo said pointedly. "I want to be part of this stable for the same reason that you want to be general manager of this stable. Every general manager would love to have your job. You are starting with a stable that has few, if any, equals in the NHL. I want to be part of this stable winning a Cup."That was all Shero had to hear. And it's the reason that Grillo survived the housecleaning and why he is now Pittsburgh's longest tenured scout.
"There's a bit of a guilt feeling for me," Grillo said. "Because I'm the only scout left. I'm the only scout left that was there to draft the last eight or nine guys in the starting lineup. All of the guys that were with me, they all have jobs. They were good. Yet, I am the guy that gets to enjoy the fruits of their labor."In his time with the Penguins, Grillo has been part of staffs that have drafted Sydney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Whitney, Maxime Talbot, Kristopher Letang, Tyler Kennedy and Alex Goligoski; amongst many others, including Brainerd High School graduate Carl Sneep.
Dominic Grillo died a year and a half ago. Doris Grillo was moved into assisted living during the latter stages of the NHL playoffs. Her house in Hibbing - the house that Chuck grew up in - was sold. Chuck was with the Penguins and couldn't help with the moving, so he told his son Dino to get his childhood bed and various other household items for the Minnesota Hockey Camps dorms. Otherwise they would be given away.
After the Penguins won the Cup, Chuck began ruminating on his life and his childhood. He called his mom in a panic."Mom I made a mistake. I got the bed but I didn't get the pillow."The pillow was heavy and uncomfortable and stained from years of use. But it was on this pillow that Chuck Grillo dreamed of winning the Cup when he was a boy."
I would tell every kid: Make sure you keep that pillow you dreamed on," Grillo said. "Because someday, somewhere, you are going to realize that dream, and it's going to be good to have that pillow. I'd encourage every parent to encourage their kids to think big, dream big. Because when that happens, they can realize their dreams. And at that point, you are going to want that pillow."
-Ole Gringo-
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
By THOR NYSTROM
Sports Writer
Chuck Grillo didn't jump from his seat, he didn't high five those sitting around him, he didn't yell. As Grillo watched the arena's clock strike zero - and signify the fulfillment of his life's dream - his mind wandered.He thought of his father, Dominic, who worked in the mines for 42 years and never missed a day of work. The father who worked overtime to buy Chuck his first pair of skates. They cost $19. He thought of the high school teams that he coached in Bemidji and his family (wife, Clairene, their six children and 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild) and everyone who had given him an opportunity over the years.
Clairene is one who has always empowered Chuck to live his life and for that he is eternally grateful.
He thought of his mother Doris, who had recently been put in assisted living. In his mind's eye, Chuck could see her tears. He was crying, too.When the buzzer sounded, he'd finally captured what had evaded him for nearly 70 years.Penguins 2, Red Wings 1. Chuck Grillo was part of a Stanley Cup championship. Grillo, an amateur scout for the Penguins and owner of Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa, has had a singular obsession while working in the NHL for the last three decades.The drive may at times have manifested itself as neurotic, such as the time in the late '80s when he refused to touch or take a picture with the Stanley Cup when Phil Esposito brought it to the New York Rangers training camp. When Esposito asked Grillo why, the scout said he would wait until the team had won it.
Grillo frequently talked with longtime friend Herb Brooks about the Holy Grail and how he was going to stay in the game until he was part of a championship. He always told his wife, Clairene, that he would be a Stanley Cup winner before he turned 70. And so he was. Grillo's 70th birthday is on July 24, 2009."I've been chasing that thing for 30 years," Grillo said. "You dream about it all your life. I've been on the ice since I was three years old. You dream about winning the Cup a lot on the ice outdoors. "And so here is Grillo, sitting in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. It's June 12; Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. The young Penguins are a prohibitive underdog against the mighty Red Wings."One hundred out of one hundred people working in the game would have picked Detroit in the final game," Grillo said.
He's getting text messages from his young grandchildren Sophia and Monique: "Malkin for President!" one says. Another says: "Talbot shelved that like a librarian, Grandpa!"Pittsburgh held on for a tight - but convincing - 2-1 victory. Grillo, subdued and pensive, responded to each one of the congratulatory text messages in his inbox. Then he got up from his seat and moved downstairs to get on the ice."You see those eight, nine, 10 kids that you played a role in them being drafted, and you look in their eyes, you look at their families, it's special," Grillo said.He went to the locker room. Experienced the mania. It was loud and champagne was flying.
"I wasn't going to have any alcohol or anything like that to ruin the experience," Grillo said. "No champagne or anything like that. I wanted to soak it all in. That's what I did. Around 12:15, Mario Lemieux came in the locker room. He decided to hoist the Cup over his head one more time. One person in the room asked if we could take a picture of him. The next thing you know he is still standing with the Cup taking pictures for 30 or 45 minutes. And his wife is waiting patiently in the hallway with a smile; they have a flight to catch home. He didn't care."Chuck had to bend his imbibing rule slightly when he was passed the Cup. It was large and glistening - and filled with Bud Light. He took two gulps from the trophy he'd spent his life chasing. Sweetest drinks of his life. "There were over 200 people drinking out of the Cup and there wasn't anyone in the room worried about swine flu," Grillo said.
Grillo thinks he will get a championship ring, but he isn't exactly sure how that works. He says he'd trade a ring to have his name engraved on the Cup. Grillo's son Dino tells him that there is room for 52 names on the cup - enough space for the coaching staff, front office and scouts."I'd like to believe that I've done enough to earn that. But that's not my decision," Grillo said. Chuck and his family built the Greenhaven outdoor rink in Hibbing in 1954. If he's allowed to have the Cup for a day or two, that's where he's headed with it."Just to sit with it," Grillo said. "There are too many memories there."
Grillo says the life of a scout isn't glamorous. It's not until the exposition that you realize how right he is.He attended 341 hockey games in the past year (a "scouting year" in hockey is from July 1 to June 30). Last year he went to 376 and had a personal-record 42-day scouting trip. Before that, the most games he had ever attended in a season was 311. He got into a playful banter with former Penguins Chief Scout Greg Malone. Grillo announced that he was going to break his own record. And so, at the age of 68, he averaged more than one game scouted a day.In the last year, he has spent 202 nights in hotels. His scouting trips take him around the United States and Canada but also overseas to Finland, Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovakia and, less occasionally, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Slovenia, Poland and Austria.
Grillo has amassed a ludicrous 1.9 million Marriott points and 1.5 million miles on Northwest Airlines."When I do decide to retire, I'll be traveling free for a while," Grillo says with a laugh.The workdays are long, typically around 16 hours. He is lucky to get two days off a month. And those two days are filled with clerical work, such as typing up reports and making reservations for his next road trip."I wish I had as many brains as I have drive,"
Grillo said.Chuck Grillo was a 40-year-old teacher in Rosemount when he sent handwritten letters to six NHL general managers detailing his interest in a professional scouting career. He got two responses.Lou Nanne of the North Stars wrote to say thank you, but Grillo just didn't have enough experience. But Craig Patrick of the Rangers called. He wanted Grillo to come to New York.Grillo, a teacher of 14 years, met with the school board later and asked for a five-year sabbatical. The board convened and returned with its decision. It was a no and Grillo replied, "You pay me to stand up in front of a room of children and tell them to chase their dreams," Grillo told the board. "If I fail to do that, what kind of coach would I be? You leave me no recourse. I have to do what I've asked kids to do. So I quit."
Grillo would scout for the Rangers for eight years. He moved on to Minnesota, where he served as director of pro scouting from 1988-90 with the North Stars, and then to San Jose, where he moved up to become the executive vice president, director of player personnel for the Sharks from 1995-96. Grillo spent eight years with the Sharks before moving to the Penguins.He has been with the Pittsburgh organization for eight years. It wasn't always easy. Craig Patrick - the man who had started Grillo in the business and subsequently became the Penguins' GM - was relieved of his duties in 2006.
Pittsburgh brought in Ray Shero to lead the show.Shero called Grillo in for a meeting after the 2006 amateur draft in Vancouver. He told the veteran scout that he was free to look around for another job because there were no guarantees that he would be asked back."I will not be looking around," Grillo said pointedly. "I want to be part of this stable for the same reason that you want to be general manager of this stable. Every general manager would love to have your job. You are starting with a stable that has few, if any, equals in the NHL. I want to be part of this stable winning a Cup."That was all Shero had to hear. And it's the reason that Grillo survived the housecleaning and why he is now Pittsburgh's longest tenured scout.
"There's a bit of a guilt feeling for me," Grillo said. "Because I'm the only scout left. I'm the only scout left that was there to draft the last eight or nine guys in the starting lineup. All of the guys that were with me, they all have jobs. They were good. Yet, I am the guy that gets to enjoy the fruits of their labor."In his time with the Penguins, Grillo has been part of staffs that have drafted Sydney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Whitney, Maxime Talbot, Kristopher Letang, Tyler Kennedy and Alex Goligoski; amongst many others, including Brainerd High School graduate Carl Sneep.
Dominic Grillo died a year and a half ago. Doris Grillo was moved into assisted living during the latter stages of the NHL playoffs. Her house in Hibbing - the house that Chuck grew up in - was sold. Chuck was with the Penguins and couldn't help with the moving, so he told his son Dino to get his childhood bed and various other household items for the Minnesota Hockey Camps dorms. Otherwise they would be given away.
After the Penguins won the Cup, Chuck began ruminating on his life and his childhood. He called his mom in a panic."Mom I made a mistake. I got the bed but I didn't get the pillow."The pillow was heavy and uncomfortable and stained from years of use. But it was on this pillow that Chuck Grillo dreamed of winning the Cup when he was a boy."
I would tell every kid: Make sure you keep that pillow you dreamed on," Grillo said. "Because someday, somewhere, you are going to realize that dream, and it's going to be good to have that pillow. I'd encourage every parent to encourage their kids to think big, dream big. Because when that happens, they can realize their dreams. And at that point, you are going to want that pillow."
-Ole Gringo-
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Age
AGE
Al Neuharth, USA Today Founder says, "After 65 you should retire, relax, help others and enjoy it."
I say I will do that after age 65 but don't know what year. He says, "Too old and crotchety are risky, but so is young and cocksure."
I like this approach. Ask questions, sort out all the responses and make a decision. Recent observations carry more weight, because what you see is what you get. I say and write a lot. I'm hoping you have the willingness and wisdom to sort out the good from the bad. That way I can survive another year in this business. I only do it to create awareness before problems happen, and expose problems when they happen. We have to solve them, because they never just go away.
Al says, under 35 - We should listen and learn.
I say, "We should listen, learn and show up on time for work regardless of age. Listening is an ongoing process. Listening is a lost art and a difference maker in winning and losing. Promptness costs the world billions, people their jobs and determines company success."
Al says, 35 - 65 Help run things and look for opportunities to run them yourself.
I say, "Be a detail person, and care about others, before any personal gains. Do this and opportunities fall in your lap. Good people take care of good people, regardless of the situation.
Personal gains come from sharing, even if it's a puck. Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney, Kris Letang, Maxime Talbot, Alex Goligoski, Tyler Kennedy, Brooks Orpik (members of “The Stable” and Sergei Gonchar are standard bearers and raise the bar. Sharing stops and losing starts, when greed enters in to the equation. We have to guard against it. The way to guard against it is by creating awareness this can happen, exposing problems and solving them.
Bottom line, age doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Passion for life, work, people and play does. Some of us just get grey doing it.
–Ole Gringo-
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Al Neuharth, USA Today Founder says, "After 65 you should retire, relax, help others and enjoy it."
I say I will do that after age 65 but don't know what year. He says, "Too old and crotchety are risky, but so is young and cocksure."
I like this approach. Ask questions, sort out all the responses and make a decision. Recent observations carry more weight, because what you see is what you get. I say and write a lot. I'm hoping you have the willingness and wisdom to sort out the good from the bad. That way I can survive another year in this business. I only do it to create awareness before problems happen, and expose problems when they happen. We have to solve them, because they never just go away.
Al says, under 35 - We should listen and learn.
I say, "We should listen, learn and show up on time for work regardless of age. Listening is an ongoing process. Listening is a lost art and a difference maker in winning and losing. Promptness costs the world billions, people their jobs and determines company success."
Al says, 35 - 65 Help run things and look for opportunities to run them yourself.
I say, "Be a detail person, and care about others, before any personal gains. Do this and opportunities fall in your lap. Good people take care of good people, regardless of the situation.
Personal gains come from sharing, even if it's a puck. Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney, Kris Letang, Maxime Talbot, Alex Goligoski, Tyler Kennedy, Brooks Orpik (members of “The Stable” and Sergei Gonchar are standard bearers and raise the bar. Sharing stops and losing starts, when greed enters in to the equation. We have to guard against it. The way to guard against it is by creating awareness this can happen, exposing problems and solving them.
Bottom line, age doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Passion for life, work, people and play does. Some of us just get grey doing it.
–Ole Gringo-
ã copyright 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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Minnesota Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame
Chuck Grillo inducted in to Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame
I do not have the longevity, as a high school coach that qualifies some for this honor. This a very humbling experience. I've had the unique opportunity of participating in eleven state tournaments in Hockey and Baseball as an assistant and head coach at Bemidji High School.
These, along with serving my country in the Marine Corps, are some of the most memorable moments in my life. I was one of the builders of two programs in Bemidji and Rosemount High Schools with countless hours spent in the youth programs and building rinks. I am equally proud of building the Greenhaven outdoor rink in Hibbing, MN with my father, Dominic Grillo and neighbor, Matt Berklich in 1954. This rink continues to be the foundation and cornerstone for young players to develop, providing that basic psychological need for young people having a quality place to hang out and have fun.
We've had the opportunity to rub elbows with people who have an unbelievable net worth. We're convinced that they have no more net worth than Dominic and Doris Grillo. All the money in the world would never replace their old fashion value system. Their "quiet gift of giving" has provided opportunities for countless young men and women to form relationships create memories and develop their philosophy of life at the Greenhaven Rink. We can't think of a healthier atmosphere. "This environment is why I am doing what I do. Ironically the formal education my parents thought I needed so badly had less to do with my present position in life than their old fashioned value system and that warming shack with the pot belly stove. The education opened some doors and I am grateful for that.
"My parents epitomize the foundation of our country. They are two very special human beings who feel they were put on this earth to serve others and they have been exceptional in devoting their lives to that cause. Unfortunately there aren't many like them around anymore. This is why our country and so many communities are going to suffer." I dedicate this award to them.
My career in high school was cut short because of my aspirations to be part of the NHL, a life long dream. I chose to have what now amounts to a twenty-seven year NHL career in management, scouting and development. We forever remind our players to set their aspirations high, so our players understood when I chased my dream in the same manner I asked them to chase their dreams. Personal and professional growth has always out weighed winning and losing.
Like so many others, I have been blessed with a wife, (Clairene) and children (Rob, Chas, Tracy, Denise, Rachel and Dino) who empowered me to chase my dreams. I am forever grateful to my coaching partners, players and parents I had the opportunity to work with. I am indebted to people like Red Wilson, Jim Smalley, Horace May, Con Murphy, Des Sagedahl, Jim Lundbohm, Charlie Brown and Bryan Grand as my partners in high school sports.
People like Craig Patrick, Larry Ross, Herb Brooks, Gordon Christian, George Perpich, George Gund, Greg Malone, Jack Blatherwick and Dan Summers went out of their way to help me advance in the game. Players have a way of "making your career" and that is exactly what happened to me. I had memorable experiences with the likes of Gary Sargent, Earl Sargent, Bill Israelson, Bill Himmelright, Keith Hanson, Andy Kannenberg, Tom Reise, Mike Langley, Ernie Blackburn, Richie Glas, Ralph Lovering, Steve Donahue, Charlie Meyers, Jon Quistgaard, Mark Manney, the Howe brothers, Eigner brothers, Granato family (yes, Cammi), John Buckanaga, Jim Conway, E.J. Demery, Tom Forsythe, Rob Grillo, Dino Grillo, Derrick Plante (1st dishwasher @ Minnewawa Lodge to score a hat trick in the NHL) and so many others.
Doc Delcastillo joined us in his sophomore year and remains a loyal friend and colleague after all these years. My memories also include the countless number of coaches, most still active in the game today, that I've had the opportunity to work with during the summer months. It has been gratifying to see them move on and up in the game. Then there are all the draft picks over the years that remain a part of my life. There are all those with longevity at our Minnesota Hockey Camps. Chuck Whalen, Pat Funk, Doc, Roby and Dino devoted over twenty five summers to kids and enjoy doing it, while others continue to return for short periods. Greg Malone, more than a friend, continues to make an impact as Chief Scout of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ty Eigner is back now that he coaches Brainerd High School. Carl Sneep is our most recent success story. Carl has no doubt set a record for training at our facility, is on his way to Boston College and is the standard bearer for all the core groups coming through.
Mark Manney and Jon Quistgaard are two conspicuous names. They are living proof that we must continually believe in a life after hockey. Being a pilot of Air Force One and President of Bemidji State College are just two examples of thousands of success stories. They are a reminder that developing a productive citizen is the ultimate goal. When I think of the Miracle on Ice team, I think of Bill Baker's accomplishments in the field of Dentistry and the desire of Mark Pavelich to live a simple life.
While working with the NHL over the past twenty-five (25) years, we have maintained my obligation and responsibility to Minnesota players from Mites to the Professional levels. "We have been able to play a significant role in many lives though our friendship, teaching, guidance, discipline, uniqueness, unbiased beliefs and unconditional love and respect for the players we come in contact with." Our Minnesota Hockey Camps resort and training center, founded with Coach Herbie Brooks, continues to be one of the most widely recognized training camps in the hockey world. We are an extension of amateur and professional programs world wide, with our grass roots in Minnesota.
Starting with the early years, we have never been involved in the game for personal recognition. We continue to believe that every student/athlete needs three (3) to six (6) mentors outside of their immediate family and we have filled that void for thousands of young people and support staff. Our passion and love for the game, and development, has not wavered over the past forty (40) years. We have been involved in summer development for nine (9) or ten (10) weeks during every one of those years.
Those early years at summer camp had some unique and talented individuals like Herb Brooks (we still have his hand written manuals), Pops Ross, Ron Novak, Wes Bolin, Bruce Plante, Al Rice, Don Brose, Frank Serratore, Tom Serratore, Bob Gernander, Mike Antonovich, Whitey Aus, Craig Sarner, Brad Bestow, Kevin Hartzell, Dave Morninville, John Sumner, J P Parise, Lefty Curran, Gilles Meloche, Larry Pleau, Marshall Johnston, Craig Patrick, Mike Sertich, John Perpich, Bob Motzko, Craig Dahl, Dean Blais, Dick Emhiser, Jack Blatherwick, Mike Polich, Tom Saterdalen, Tom Osiecki, Jim Pohl, Dan Germundson, Lyle Miller, Bob O'Connor, Bill Halbrehder, Terry Skrypek, Ted Brill, Kevin Constantine, Brad Shelstad, Jeff Shelstad, and Mark Kaufman. The different staffs, at different times in our 38 yrs of working summer camp, learned a lot from each other and they are very well recognized in the hockey world. I have to believe our camp helped them help themselves because the camp tests your passion for the game and life now we have a new group of coaches on our web site that you will hear about in the near future.
Living away from home provides an element of growth that all people need as they develop both professionally and socially. Summer camps offer the unique opportunity to make lasting memories while fostering lifelong friendships, self-reliance and leadership skills.
Young people need to nurture outgoing skills to express their talents, and our camp is committed to meeting that goal while emphasizing the development of better hockey players and better people.
All families need resources to reinforce values learned at home, and it’s vital for young people to broaden their circle of friends beyond their neighborhoods and schools. Camps are where young people learn to discover, develop and critique their skills and abilities and are an important step towards a well-rounded adulthood.
The percentage of young people attending residence camps is far too low considering the unparalleled values gained through such an experience. Our camp is looking for corporations and/or individuals that are generously willing to provide that chance for those who cannot afford to do so.
Success happens to those who are willing and able to prepare for opportunity. Everyone has one or more unique skills. Cultivate them!
Working in the game and owning a camp gives me a reason to celebrate an imperfect life, one where I know in my own mind I could have been a lot better person and a lot better player. I know that this award gives me a reason to celebrate my life and our contribution to society. We celebrate every success story where we played a small to significant role in a person's success.
I have an internal wealth I can take with me forever. This gives me (and us) Peace of Mind.
We measure our success in the 8 x 10's we could hang on the walls of our camp. If we had a picture of every success story in hockey and in life, the walls at MHC would be richly enhanced. We have been able to play a significant role in many lives though our friendship, teaching, guidance, discipline, uniqueness, unbiased beliefs and unconditional love and respect for the players we come in contact with.
I worked at being a good mentor capable of creating awareness, exposing blind spots and showing players what it takes to go to another level and be a pro. Telling players what they don't want to hear is my way of telling them I care about them. When you work with a player, they become a part of your life forever. Love and respect is a two way street. There are two winners or no winners. Nurturing young people makes life worth living and it is also a privilege that we do not take for granted.
We believe every young player should dream of playing in the NHL. Take a sampling of 100 players whose goal is to be an NHL player. Take another sampling of 100 whose goals are to play college. I believe you will have more people make the college team out of the NHL sampling group than the college-sampling group if the talent levels are similar. "Dare to dream while thinking big! While determination ultimately determines the fate of your dream, you can always become more realistic as time evolves."
The great mentors deal with life. Young people relate to people with a passion for the game. My passion for the game has giving me the opportunity to make a life out of hockey. Winning is the end result of developing a foundation about life, the person and bottom line qualities that make a difference. Why is it that people remember the coach more than the teacher? Is it because the teacher spends less time in settings where there is hard work, adversity, winning, losing, laughing, crying and emotional roller coasters? We believe it is. We believe that these situations create more bonding and have much to do with scoring big intellectually over the long haul.
Winning an award as a coach means we took the time to "think and believe big things could happen" and we worked hard to make it happen. With that, comes the reminder of our responsibility and obligation to encourage young people to continue to do the same. When we broke in to the game, Minnesota was one of three suppliers of players who had a dream of playing in the NHL. They took the college route to refine their skills. Things have changed because the world becomes smaller while the player pool became bigger. This is all the more reason for us to continue to recognize that we need to do more so our players in the future have a level playing surface when it comes to advancing in the game of hockey and ultimately the game of life.
Watching Ty Eigner break down because three sets of equipment at a young age translated in to three Division I careers brings back the meaning why we do what we do. My son Dino's presence meant so much because of all the adversity he faced in the game as a youth player on up through pro. He is where he is today because of his hockey experiences and those experiences should be told to the world. Tim Oshie's presence brought back all the memories of working with outstanding Native American athletes.
As I looked down from the podium at Willard Ikola, Lou Cotroneo and Tom Saterdalen while thinking about Pops, Herb and Maroosh, no doubt the most revered in the group for their winning and teaching, I was reminded that we all share one basic psychological need; "We want to be recognized and liked for our effort and things we do well."
Coaches, players, parents and fans share this common bond of feeling good about the success of others. I thank the coaching fraternity for recognizing me in time for my parents to enjoy one better thing in life and I thank the same group for helping me help myself. To think that one day I would be still enjoying this game long enough to have Willard's grand children now attending our camp, makes me a lucky guy who has been blessed by the game I love.
-ole gringo-
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 blog, book OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps
Working with us Grey Hairs
Grey Hairs – Generation gaps working together
Relationships young people have with their parents and coaches mirror age diversity happing in the work place. There are lessons for all to learn. Children are born in to a, “World of Grey.” Young workers are entering a, “World of Grey.”
“Older people don’t Twitter, they don’t like a good challenge and they definitely don’t warm to change.” This is the easiest way to under estimate your parents and older colleagues.
The work place is aging. People are pushing off retirement during tough economic times. The growth of generational diversity in the workplace is @ an all time high in our society, so it will take patience and understanding; no different than the growth of a child. The economic downturn and people taking better care of their bodies are the reasons. Energy levels along with zest for life and work causes people to want to contribute beyond the magic age of sixty-five (65).
Young people entering a World of Grey learn quickly that all of our lives are a work in progress; a never-ending search for Peace of Mind. Whether work or life, we should mine the wisdom and build ties in a respectful, genuine manner. Older people with a passion for people, work and life are still yearning to learn and willing to change. Young people tend to think they don’t. The new breed of Grey says, “My brain isn’t turned off; I’m not an old dog that can’t learn new tricks. We never arrive in life.” Parents get wiser as kids get older; thus the reason why grand parents seem so wise and smart.
Assumptions aside, younger people shouldn’t focus on the fact their parents and colleagues are much older. The attention should be on what they have in common that will help them grow and get the job done. Keep relationships @ home focused on growth and relationships @ work focused on growing together through work.
One is thinking, “You are older than my Dad.” The other is thinking, “I have kids older than you.” This is awkward, but what you do have in common is work and the end result. Many older workers are miffed when younger people take on the job of boss and aren’t seen as having paid their dues; no different than young children spreading their wings while moving in to the age of independence. Older people need to keep contributing their body of knowledge while tapping in to the young person’s motivation for trying new things. People can benefit by being more open-minded by realizing that there is another process for reaching a goal more quickly.
“It’s great to be open minded, but not to the point where your brain falls out of your head.”
There is a sequence of events that govern growth in children and work force. The three levels of experience are Dependence, Independence and Inter-dependence.
“Success happens to those capable of graduating from Dependence to Independence to Inter-dependence. People and teams succeed when they reach the level of Inter-dependence.”
You don’t have to like what people believe and say, but you have to respect their intelligence, experience levels and right to believe and say it. Reach decisions in a way that respects and leverages the experiences of the really smart minds regardless of age. At the end of the day, whatever side of the gap you’re on, the bridge is always built with caring, love and respect that translate in to loyalty.
This is the way life; teams, work force, organizations and companies are built. This is how life works.
–ole gringo-
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 blog, book 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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