COACHES CORNER

October 20th, 2007

This segment of coach's corner is a message that needs to be addressed to our entire society in every walk of life, let alone which was once perceived as the greatest game on earth by our country.

Please keep in mind; this is my personal view from how I have seen the game of hockey change on and off the ice. We have witnessed a lot of incidents in the game that have impacted how we see it today differently than in past 10 years.

Some of these changes are very much better for the game and its growth. I believe today's coaches have information available to them thru hockey Canada etc that offers a great teaching tool for our players, if used under the right context. Today's technology in training for athletes on and off ice today is amazing. The game is seeing another change right now in smaller skilled players is more recognized today than we've seen in the past.

The players train 11months a year on and off ice. The equipment that these players have for protection is almost too good if that is possible. From my perspective the biggest change has been the Respect factor for the game, the players, and how it's played and taught. We hear the pros say often that we do not have enough of this today for each other. Look at some of the disrespectful incidents in our society today? Are we so selfish that we do not even stop to think of end result of our actions? Have we put so much focus on winning that everything else is second?

I am as competitive as any one I know in being successful. This is my profession and like all coaches, losing hockey games could eventually cost me my job.

The thing that is important to me is to see our players represent the game with the respect it deserves. There is an element of competitiveness that comes with this game that is second to none in sports because of the speed and hitting involved, and I love that about the game. The fights in hockey will always be there maybe for that same reason. We need to make players aware of the difference between being competitive and being disrespectful.

We are the teachers; for the most part we know the fine line. As coaches we are seen as the role model to what is and is not acceptable for behaviour on and off the ice at the higher levels and I except that responsibility , but at some point these players have to be accountable for common sense. That being said, if there is act of pure lack of respect for another player (or anybody for that matter) while under your guidance then I have always believed you must hold them accountable. I have always relayed the message to our players that you must treat people how you would like to be treated.

The potential to make money at any sport can be huge and along the way it can also make people insensitive to others.

There is an old saying when things get heated; React to the situation, not to the moment. We need to be humbled on how fortunate we really are to be able to play this game, but we have taken the privilege for granted to some extent. Many great coaches have often made the statement that nobody is bigger than the game. Of all the messages we send players everyday in our teaching process, the sooner we move the word and meaning of respect the top of the list, the sooner we will carry it with us on and off the ice.

Truly, Brad Fox

P.S. Leadership is about what you do versus what you say your going to do!

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