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Hockey Chat: Having 5 guys on the ice makes a team. Having 5 guys on the ice that are working together and covering each other makes a winning team. When we say that our position is just on Offense or someone else is a Defenseman, we are cutting away that we are all a team. Whichever color jerseys have the puck determines whether we are all on offense or defense. It’s when we complain or argue that “it’s not my position so it’s not my fault” we all fall down.
It’s the start of practice. Everyone has high hopes, goals, and expectations for the upcoming season. As Christians, the biggest goals are the ones God has for us as coaches and the athletes He has entrusted to our care.
God has created each one of our team members, the coaching staff, parents, and all those connected with our programs. Twice in the verses above we are reminded of Jesus’ work in creating all things. In fact, today’s passage tells us that all things were created not only by Him, but also for Him. He also promises to hold thing—all things—together. This may not mean victory, or lack of challenges, but things will be held together to accomplish His perfect plan and will in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Hockey Chat: Goalie Andrew Raycroft was picked up by the Boston Bruins 135th overall in the 1998 Entry Draft. Although he didn’t get drafted onto the team in the top picks, the coaching staff had faith in him and worked with him through the early years as he played in the minor leagues in order to get him ready for the NHL. He was brought up in the fall of 2003 and won the 2004 Calder Trophy (Most Valuable Rookie of the NHL).
Hockey Chat: What if you were to get to spend a month with Wayne Gretzky (or Martin Brodeur for you goalies) and they spent day and night giving you tips and coaching? That would make you pretty great. But if the month was over and you went back to playing your way and forgetting everything you had been taught, losing your talents you had been just gained. It would seem foolish. Like a waste of a great opportunity.
Hockey Chat: Wayne Gretzky said it best when he was quoted, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take”. To win those scoring titles he had to press on and take those shots, even though not all of them went in. Continually pressing on makes winners
Hockey Chat: A goal on a break away is a sweet play to watch. But even better is when the team works together and through a series of good moves and great passes they get a goal. When all these elements fall into place it makes for a truly good play and tough puck for the goalie to stop. A half-hearted toss at the net is no real challenge for the goaltender.
Hockey Chat: You can feel effects being out on the ice for the first time in a while. You can also feel the effects from working out or keeping active in preparation for game time. Devoting the extra effort helps you be a better skater. That helps the whole team win. Individual dedication leads to team victory.
Hockey Lesson: The Edmonton Oilers were taking a defense-first approach to shutting down Detroit in the battle for the Western Conference.
Hockey Chat: Some guys know just how to get under the skin of their opponent. Sometimes it’s with a discrete cheap shot. Maybe a whack of the stick. All for the purpose of getting the guy to swing back. With retaliation comes consequences. Those couple minutes spent in the box might cost the team a goal. All because they had to get ‘em back.
Hockey Chat: A regulation size hockey goal opening is 24 square feet. A fully armored goalie covers approximately 18 square feet of that space leaving only 6 square feet of open net and that’s with the goalie standing still. It takes practice and determination to get the puck into the mere 25% of the goal that is uncovered while that padded guy it hopping around in front to stop it.
Hockey Chat: For many folks, the greatest hockey player they know was Wayne Gretzky. Even his old coach knew that. While playing for the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA in the 1978-79 season he was sold to Peter Pocklington owner of the Edmonton Oilers for a painting and a million dollars. He went on to win the scoring title 10 times in his career and blasted through the goal scoring record like he blasted pucks into the net. Nine Hart Tropheys, 4 Stanley Cups, 2 Con Smythes. He made the highlight clips nightly but the one clip that has not been talked about as a great feat was a great blunder (I just happen to still have it on VHS tape). As he was racing back to get in between a 2-on-1 break on his own goal, he stuck his stick out to block the p
Hockey Chat: We’ve seen it at every level. From the pee-wee’s up through the professionals. As much as skaters on the same team try to move fluently and work together, there is always some moment in some games where two guys on the same team cross paths and trip each other up. The lack of proper communication or the way they communicated caused them to run into each other. One misjudged the other and they both wound up in the same space and down on the ice.
Hockey Chat: Hockey takes a lot of strength. There are all kinds of ways to build muscle and work on our cardio. Everything from weights to treadmills. They all help prepare us physically. But to win the game you have to not only be able to play it, you have to know it. NHLr’s get head strong by watching hours of film and studying the game to learn the game with their mind to go along with their body. They strengthen both.
Hockey Chat: Regardless of who your favorite team is throughout the year, if you’re a hockey fan you’ll tune into the excitement of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s the one time when hockey fans come together and follow the games that have become the icon of the ice hockey.
Hockey Chat: We wear all kinds of gear when we’re on the ice. We put our trust into engineered plastic and padding to be our shield. Knowing that it’s there, we feel stronger and braver. When we get hit with a puck or stick in that area, we are so thankful that we have that protection!
Hockey Chat: With each earnest effort on the ice, we get better. Skating gets you down the ice. Stick handling helps you get the puck down the ice. Shooting helps you get the puck in the goal. One builds on the other. A good work ethic in each area will build you up for the next skill to keep you playing good all around.
Hockey Chat: On April 10th 1982, the Edmonton Oilers were proud of their 5-0 lead in late in the third period. Then the LA Kings remained humble and hard working and their efforts lifted the team to an OT victory.
Hockey Chat: Have you ever listen to an interview with a hockey player when they are questioned about their opponent. It could be the last place team but they always find a way to say something nice and honorable about them. They give the respect to them even though they are the adversary. Then of course they add their strategy on how they are going to beat them. They are courteous but confident.
Hockey Chat: In the Stanley Cup Finals 2004, Calgary’s Ville Nieminen's hit on Tampa BayVincent Lecavalier in Game 4 of the was definitely a cheap shot, taking a run at him from behind and smashing his head into the glass. As a result the Flames’ top defenseman had to sit the next game out on suspension, hurting his team this time and not the opposition. Many would say that ugly hit deserved revenge. Rather than take a cheap shot in return, the biggest retaliation a team can have is winning the game by playing hard-nosed, fair hockey. That is exactly what the Lightning did by taking the series and winning the Stanley Cup.
Hockey Chat: A few years back, the Chicago Blackhawks started a post game tradition at home. When they won they would gather at center ice, raise their sticks, and wave to the fans as a salute to those who supported them. It was their way of giving acknowledgement and thanks back to the those who cheered them on throughout the game.
One of the most damaging aspects of sports today doesn’t happen on the field. The media, team members, and many others all take part in this meaningless act. It is called gossip. People love to tear something or someone apart with their words. They would rather say what they heard about others than search for the truth. I have seen more teams ruined by gossip than by performance.
Eye-catching, customizable FCA posters to use on campus or other locations to communicate huddle meetings and other events.
Each poster is 8.5" x 11"
You can type in your event information in the text box provided, print from the color copier, and post where appropriate. There are three styles to choose from with many versions of each.
*Please note all posters are in .doc format and require Microsoft Word or a compatable software to open.
I will never forget watching Reggie Miller score eight points in the last thirty-two seconds of a 1995 Eastern Conference NBA playoff game in Madison Square Garden. Miller’s “never say die” heroics in the closing seconds gave the Indiana Pacers a thrilling two-point victory over the New York Knicks. Throughout his eighteen-year career with the Pacers, Miller was the picture of persistence. He didn’t make every clutch shot he took, but he never stopped shooting them. In an interview following his final NBA game, he summed up his career by saying, “I tried. I showed up for every game and I tried.”
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