THE VAULT: DANGEROUS CYCLE OF UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS It’s that time of the year… Parents are scurrying around the continent in search of the perfect opportunity for their prodigy hockey player. For some, attention is naturally acquired because the player’s ability matches both his work ethic and char

It’s that time of the year…

Parents are scurrying around the continent in search of the perfect opportunity for their prodigy hockey player. For some, attention is naturally acquired because the player’s ability matches both his work ethic and character. For most, one of those three keys falls short of the parents’ unrealistic expectations.

Aside from being eight-figure wealthy with the ability to just buy opportunities (teams) for their prodigy, most people learn to manage expectations at some point. Much of that happens at pre-draft and main camps at almost every level of play.

As a player advisory company, one of the most difficult jobs is trying to keep the concept of reality as the base of every conversation. No, just because a player was invited to a United States Hockey League team’s prospect camp, that does not mean he’s now too good for the North American Hockey League. It’s unfortunate because parents are very quick to make the accusation that I don’t have confidence in their prodigy’s level of ability.

There’s a place on hockey’s ladder of development for just about every player. The reality is that very few players are going to be able to skip a few rungs on that ladder without compromising expectations.

“My son is not playing in the United States Premier Hockey League after attending an USHL camp, there’s no way,” was a reaction after one of the events. “No, I can’t afford to pay $15,000 for a season of hockey either!” This is from the same dad that spent $45,000+ a school year on some academy program for the last three years. “He’s just coming back home to play AAA for his eighteen year.” Clearly dad has not done the math.

Then there are all the “I’m better than that winger, I smoked him in bantams, how is he playing in the NAHL?” When item one (talent) is not the issue, it may be number two (work ethic) or three (character). Clearly there is something that particular player is doing that you are not. Reality can be a nasty pill to swallow.

Maturation falls squarely into the character section as well. Same goes for body language and presentation. Players with exceptional characters have those bases covered.

Then there’s this one: A player has been given numerous opportunities at his targeted level of play, this includes in-season visits, high-level prospects event, and now back to camp with one of teams he visited during the last season. The player did not do well over the weekend and now Dad is saying “no more camps,” and “I can’t afford your company’s services,” 27 days past the renewal.

Now we know why my wife has me wheeling that big black car around town as a chauffeur.

Here’s what I know. Opening the doors of opportunity is easy for me. There’s not a league on the continent where those doors can’t be opened. I’m never going to open one of those doors for a player that has absolutely no chance of being able to take advantage of that opportunity. Doing so only limits those same opportunities for others while damaging the relationship we have with that coach.

That is the reality of the business. I can’t guarantee anything but an opportunity to step onto that ladder of development and the presentation of numerous options while the climb is underway. Sometimes the hockey dream resides in the hearts of the parents more than the player. That’s when we see the concepts of work ethic and character take a back seat to having a good time and enjoying the lifestyle of the game.

I want to work with players on the way UP the ladder of development. Players with a passion for the game and are willing to do the hard work when nobody is looking. Players that can lead by example on and off the ice. Most of all, players want it even more than their parents do.

Are you and your player ready to elevate their hockey journey? Schedule a call with the Victorious Hockey Company, where we’ll discuss their performance on the ice and in school, explain our process, and start building a personalized plan to guide them through junior hockey and into college—all in a no-pressure conversation, Schedule your call today:
https://go.oncehub.com/victorioushockeyco