Tucker Hockey

Development Thoughts

Part 2 – Player Education

For Better Development

Published June 28, 2023

The purpose of this article is to help educate players about their hockey development and to maximize a player’s future improvements / results within our Tucker Hockey Programs.

Player Education:

  • Love the game of hockey. It’s a great sport!
  • If you love hockey, you will put in the many hours of development required to see noticeable skill improvement. It’s not work but play! Pure joy!!
  • If others see improvement in your skills this definitely means you have put the work in! This is the best testimonial to certify your improvements and development.
  • Do the reps – “good reps” / lots of sweat is required for improvements.
  • You will get out of it what you put into it – there are no shortcuts.
  • Hard work will outperform talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
  • 10,000 hours to “master” skills.
  • Players should not get discouraged with failure and quit on a drill or skill.
  • Failure is a part of development to be successful in the long term.
  • If you are having difficulty with a skill, slow things down so you will have a better chance to perform the skill correctly. Remember it’s not a speed drill unless we ask you to go fast!
  • You are not competing against another player in the program. It’s you and the drill! Only if there’s a puck race, battles or compete drill or scrimmage, then you are competing against other players. So focus on what you are doing not others!
  • Don’t worry or be concerned about players bigger or smaller than you or less skilled or more skilled than you.
  • Be coachable – welcome feedback / constructive criticism from the on ice instructors.
  • Have a growth mindset – be eager to learn & improve on your hockey knowledge and skills.
  • Always be a student of the game – hockey and life are both continuous learning.
  • Progressive learning – be open minded and want to learn. As previously mentioned, life is continuous learning no matter what you are doing, or how many years doing it or your age.
  • Ask the on ice instructors questions – be curious. Why? What are the benefits of the drill?
  • Be a well rounded / good athlete in your youth before committing to one sport in your mid to late teens.
  • Skating is the most important hockey skill. Continuously keep working on your skating. For example: Just because you are one of the better skaters at the U11 level doesn’t guarantee you will be one of the top skaters at the U13 level and beyond.
  • Two very important development rules on the ice – “watch & listen” to your coaches / on ice instructors. They want to help you improve your skills but they definitely need your cooperation!
  • Above all – keep the “FUN” in the game. Enjoy the journey!!

The Tucker Hockey Mission Statement:

Through The Tucker Hockey Way:

  • Instilling the love and passion for hockey
  • Being inclusive to all ages, background & skill levels
  • Improving hockey and life skills in a positive learning environment
  • Making a difference!

This is our Legacy of Values.

See you at the rink soon!!

Check out Part 1 Parent Education!