Game On Magazine - April 2017 GameOn-Apr2017-P001-144-ONLINE

OPINION A BILLY KEANE • Hockey Dad, Hockey Coach • Winnipeg Blues Head Coach, MJHL (2016-17) • Coach Mentor APHA “AA” Rangers 2007-present) • Instructor, St.James School Division Hockey Academy (2014-present) s we move into the final segment of the 2016-17 hockey season, coaches have been preparing their teams for the play-offs and all the ex- citement that surrounds playing their best hockey of the season. Coaches have been trying to prepare their players individually in terms of improving their hockey skills. Coaches have also been working on trying to improve their indi- vidual players mentality about consistently working hard to stay focused on their own improvement in areas that include sports- manship, respect and remaining a good teammate. Coaches have been planning on the all of the individual players working to- gether as having a well-polished unit head- ing into the play-offs. This is every coach’s goal, regardless of the outcomes. So, just when a coach feels he/she has made some real progress in form- ing his/her team into a play-off ready group full of young eager players – BOOM! An explosion goes off in the dressing room, blowing up all of the coaching staff’s hard work and energy to prepare this group for a March play-off run. The explosion I’m referring to is the un- sanctioned “AAA” Spring Hockey letters and invitations that are mailed to thousands of young hockey players coast to coast. These “AAA” rackets will be recruiting 7-12-year-old players to play highly com- petitive hockey throughout the Spring and into early summer. The Spring “AAA” organizers will tell all who will lis- ten that the goal of these spring hockey out- fits will be to provide a structured environ- ment where skill development and fun are the priorities. That may very well be the case with some teams, but often, with others, it is not the case. Simply stated: Some of these Spring “AAA” outfits are run as a business Let’s Talk About Spring Hockey 50 GAME ON 2017 PLAYOFF EDITION

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