13A2 Northwood Norsemen - Hockey

Team wake up call!!!

To all team members.

As you may notice the link for player stats is no longer available. Due to parental feedback it was determined that this was causing lack of team play as players seemed to want to pad their stats as opposed to playing solid team hockey. I will only put them back up if the team truely plays as a team.

As you were made aware after last nights game against Norberry-Glenlee I was dissapointed in the teams showing. As mentioned, this is a team with no points and we had to battle back to earn a tie with them. I have often said its not about winning but rather about playing like you want to win. Its the effort that counts. The effort I witnessed last night was not up the abilities of this team. Comments made to me by some friends (other coaches) who watched our game are as follows: No passing, to much individual play, weak backchecking, trying to shoot the puck to close to the goalie and always hitting the goalie with the shot. (need to shoot from the slot and not the crease). I have mentioned numerous times that I and others believe that this team has alot of poetential to be among the top teams in the league. I don't say this lightly. Your efforts in the later part of the first half of the season proved this. Many of you (9 to be exact) played at the A1 level last year and were dissapointed that you did not make it this year. I understand your dissapointment but that is in the past. In order to make your way back up to the next level you will need to prove that you belong there. Playing like we did in last nights game and in the last few games only proves that the A1 coaches got it right when they did not take you for A1. I do have a higher expectation of players who have played at a higher level. This means that you should dominate or at least be at the top of the A2 level with your play. This does not excuse the players who played A2 or A3 last year. You to must bring the level of play up to compete in games. We have 5 games left prior to the playoffs. None of these will be easy. All players need to prepare themselves to give all they have for the team. This means you must be ready mentally and physically. Be prepared to play is what this means.
Practice - be ready to go on the ice ON TIME!!! This does not mean 5 or 10 min late.
Games - the rule book says we must be ready to play 15 min prior to starting time. The Referee can start the game early. We need to be dressed and focused on the game 15 min prior to the start of the game. As all the players were told recently, if you are not dressed and focused on playing you could end up missing the first few shifts until you are prepared mentally. Is it fair to your teammates when you do not come prepared to play?
All players play for different reasons. Some will play just so they can hang out with friends. Some play because they love the sport of hockey. Others play sports for the competition and to win. All of these reasons for playing are good. Losing in sport or anything else in itself is not bad. Losing because of lack of effort or preperation is. Playing as an individual in a TEAM sport is not acceptable.
We are a team and must play as such. I have said it before and I will say it again. You do have the ability to be the best in the league. Rise up to the challenge and show that you in fact are. If John or myself have not communicated clearly to you on what is expected or if you do not understand what it is we want you to do on the ice PLEASE ASK. My only desire for you the team is for you to be the best you can be. I do not feel that my expectations of the team are beyond what you can give. All I ask is that the team refocus for the remainder of the season and give all they have for the team. If we do this we will be successful.
This letter to the team is only meant to challenge players to be the best they can be and to buy in to the team concept.
There are some positives this year as well. In games where we skated, passed and played strong in our own zone we met all expectations. You have shown me that you are able to do this. We just need to be consistant with this in every game. This is what makes champions.
Any questions please ask!!
Coach Steve

Updated by Stephen Wiebe, Fri Jan 25, 2008 @ 1:49 PM 0 Comments

Results

Sidney Crosby

Alexander Oveckin

Jerome Iginla

Joe Sakic

Matts Sundin

Jaromir Jagr

Haven't Voted Yet


	Site hosting by Teamopolis Inc. \| Teams \| Leagues \| iPhone App \| Sports Directory \| Sports Games \| Tools \| Contact \| Privacy \| Terms and Conditions \| Feedback \| Tell a Friend \| Help \| Print © 2025 Teamopolis Inc. All Rights Reserved.