Keeping the Fun Between the Pipes

P.K. Subban's overtime winner leads to a big celebration with teammate Carey Price.

After watching this video, this leads into the discussion about what type of actions are accepted in hockey. Better yet, how should players represent themselves on and off the ice?

Picture back to when Theo Fleury celebrated his game winning goal in game 6 overtime in the 1991 playoffs. Taking things to the extreme, this is a player that leaves it all out on the ice. Similar to Subban's overtime winner, this emotion and excitement left on the ice illustrates what the game of hockey is all about. Different from other sports where game scores can reach double digits for teams, "our game" has teams and fans on the edge of their seats waiting for their team to take the lead, tie the game up, or in this case with Montreal to score the game winner.

Many hockey "experts" will proclaim that hockey should be represented as a game of class, and for players to want more and show less on the ice. At the same time, there are many players in the dressing room that do just this. When this happens the game starts to become "less fun" and more stressful.

At times throughout the year there are many distractions that can cause pressure, along with situations around the game that can create stressors. It is important to find ways around this, and to find ways that can maintain the "fun" and enjoyable aspects of the sport.

When relating to goaltenders, here are a couple keys:

1. When times are tough, remember WHY you love the game.
   
   
2. When training and putting in all the time on and off the ice, remember WHAT you are doing it for.
   
   
3. In practice, rather than thinking to stop every puck, have objectives set aside for improvement and daily goals for what you would like to maintain. Ex) Controlling all low shots to corners for the whole hour to improve on ice rebound control.
   
   
4. Show emotion. There are various times in the game when teams do need that spark from their goaltender to help ignite a flame and instill motivation. At times, that big save and flash of the leather does help. Other instances, in the dressing room those words of disgust or encouragement also go a long way to giving your team a boost.
   
   
5. Keep practices entertaining. When playing small area games against teammates try throwing in a pad stack or a diving poke check. Do something you wouldn't normally do to get outside of your technical mindset. Technique can always be instilled, but your competitive side is more instinctive. Build your instincts by competing!
   
   
6. Keep things simple. Beyond all the tactics and technique that goes into the position, your job goes down to stopping the puck. Heading into a big game don't over complicate things and think about more than you need to. Control what you can control within the game.
   
   
7. Organize your time. People work 8 hours for 5 days a week. The other 128 hours are open for ones own leisure. An athlete has no reason to be at the rink or on the ice day in and day out for hours on end. Allow yourself to have time with family and friends, school, and time to relax.
   

Ultimately, the game of hockey is about fun! Ask anyone involved in the sport and that will be one of the main reasons why they started playing. Next time your on the ice and you make that big save don't be afraid to show some excitement. Competing on the ice, playing the sport you love, is all about the rush and the celebration.

Keeping the Fun Between the Pipes