What’s it really like being a coach - Navigating the Hockey Highway

In the world of coaching, the road in a season is often paved with unexpected obstacles—construction zones and hail storms instead of rainbows, unicorns and hat tricks. Yet, it's amidst these challenges that the true essence of the journey reveals itself. Join me as I navigate the tumultuous highways of coaching, where every twist and turn leads to moments of triumph and growth. Remember, hockey's more than a game, it's a journey!

A couple of summers back, during dry land training with some athletes, a high school student asked me, "What's it like to be a coach?" I can't recall exactly what I said, but I probably mentioned the rewarding moments of seeing players succeed, the joy of helping others, and the challenge of winning championships. While those points resonate with me, they don't paint the full picture of coaching.

So, what does being a coach really look like?

Picture yourself driving a trusty car, confidently embarking on a journey as an experienced driver. It's the first day of the season, you've picked up your coaching staff, made a quick pit stop at Tim's, and tuned in to your favorite radio station. Punching in your destination on the navigation system, you take a deep breath and hit the road.

As the season unfolds and the drive continues, it feels like you're simultaneously tackling a 10,000-piece puzzle on the car console while guiding your passengers and obeying traffic laws. Your car starts acting up, somethings not right, but you can't stop. The soothing music from your radio now turns into yelling and screaming and no matter what action you take, it won't turn off and you've lost control of the volume. You attempt to sip your coffee, only to hit a pothole, splattering your shirt with that much anticipated sip.  Southern Ontario traffic adds to the chaos, with the navigation system occasionally leading you astray, leaving you anxious about what's around the next bend. You avoid worrying your coaches, who are focused on the puzzle, and offer reassuring comments like "We're doing fine, keep going."

Despite the challenges—coffee spills, radio malfunctions, car troubles—you soldier on with a positive attitude, channeling your inner Ted Lasso. Just when you hit a straight away and think you've got it under control...

...that's when a tornado hits, throwing hail at your car, flooding your back seat, testing you with one more hurdle.

Finally, you arrive at your destination right on time. The gas tank is empty, the puzzle is nearly complete, albeit with a few missing pieces, some bearing coffee stains. But you can see the beautiful image, closely resembling the box and what you imagined. You've fixed the radio volume, drowning out the noise with a faint beat resembling your favorite station. As you and your passengers exchange weary smiles, you chuckle at the coffee stain on your shirt and the hail marks on your car, mere souvenirs from the wild ride.

Stepping out of the car, you're greeted with cheers from players grateful for your guidance and community members thankful for your dedication and efforts. Despite the challenges and messiness, you're reminded of why you coach. Taking these lessons learned, you're ready to improve next time, always believing that the next season will bring new adventures and triumphs.

Start the car, let's get ready for next season!