I have spent close to 40 years around the rink playing, coaching, and reffing.  I have around 70 hockey related stitiches and 3 broken noses from playing the game that I love so much.  I remember playing the game when I could barely walk from injuries, it's what makes the Game so GREAT, not only do you need special talents but you also need that ability to play through injuries... be TOUGH. It's what separates the Game of Hockey from all other sports.
   I thought of the Hockey Shots Game when I was trying to get my 2 year old son interested in shooting a hockey ball around...he just wasn't having any fun shooting at an empty net, so I set up a few targets on the ground and he liked the way he could knock them down.   Next I just happened to come across some old camper cushions.  I cut them up and placed them in some 2*4's and had a new game for us to play.  We have been playing games with it ever since.  We have one in the basement play room.  In the same room we have 2 tv's so every night we will be watching hockey (2 different games if they are on) and playing the hockey shots game.
   It's funny how the game gets in your blood and you just can't get it out.  I would rather play ice or road hockey than any other sport still even at my age.  I would rather shoot a ball around with my kids than play pool, ping pong or even watch movies.  I will teach and help my kids as much as I can as they start what I hope is a long and enjoyable hockey career.
   Having played on many winning teams and in many different leagues I have Seen and done it all but still learn something new every year.  The game has allowed me to play all over the place and to meet a lot of great people as a result.  I hope to give the same opportunity to my kids and anybody else that wants some help.

Issues:
    I think that kids need to be taught correct hitting techniques at the squirt level.  At this age these kids are still all about the same size (haven't hit that growth spurt yet).  I think that the sooner they learn proper hitting techniques and how to protect themselves against the boards and open ice the better.  The kids have not developed bad habits yet that become unbreakable as they get older (like facing the boards).  The kids still have some respect for opposing players (I find this is allowed to decrease as the kids get older because of bad coaching).  When the kids get in PeeWees the size difference of 2nd year and 1st year player becomes an issue when kids don't know how to give and take a hit, I see more kids getting crushed in open ice and along the boards only because kids don't know how to handle a hit when it comes at them.  I will be teaching my players proper hitting techniques next year not so that my players can can run other kids over but so that they learn how to protect themselves from a kid that may accidently hit them or from that kid that is skating out of control and almost hits them head first into the boards.  March 23
 
   Get rid of all the politics in hockey programs, it should be about the kids.  When I coach  an A or traveling team I always pick the kids that are going to do their best to win games for me through talent or hard work.  It's called making the coach look good.  I don't care if your dads a plumber or your moms a brain surgeon.  I always picked the kids that deseve to be there on my team.  I know first hand the pressures a hockey board can put on a coach to pick certain kids but picking these kids that don't deserve to be at this level will only undermine your credibilty and integrity as a coach.  Everybody knows this or will know this sooner or later. The bubble kids that don't get picked for the A team should use this as motivation to prove people wrong and instead of crying about it work harder to improve their game.  Bubble kids on the A team should not gripe about playing time in certain games or situations but should have realized their own talent levels and should have asked to play at the B level before the season started.  More later...March 29

My kids and I spent the weekend in Minot at the Maysa Arena, what a beautiful rink.  My son played in a hockey tournament with 8 other Canadian teams.  The games were fast paced and the reffing was great.  No one handed trips or hooks were called, no accidental body contact was called even if one kid was bigger than the other and this made for some very enjoyable games.  There was also tag up off sides which really sped up the game (US hockey should take note).   My thanks to Brian for inviting our team and if he expands like he wants I would highly recommend this tourny to every competitive ND traveling team that can get in.  April 16

Watching the NHL playoffs is always a great time of year for me.  It is hard to explain about what these players have to go through unless you have been through a 7 games series or 2 yourself.  Injuries never heal and the bruises just get bigger it's what separates this game from all others.  This year there have been a few incidents that really piss me off.  The first and foremost is when the Ottawa fans booed Sidney Crobsy, what a bunch of hockey stupid people.  Sidney Crosby is a Canadian Kid, who has done nothing but put excitement and heart back into a bleeding and broken Pittsburg Penguins organization , very disrespectful, you people would be better off keeping your mouths shut.  You are an embarassment to all Canadian hockey fans.   Nothing ruins a good game faster than when the ref blows a call,  Stop calling one handed hooks and trips and make players stay on their feet, heres a hint when a player carrying the puck looks like he gets shot when a player touches him with a stick and falls down raise your arm and give him a "2 minute for not being able to skate penalty.  Stop calling boarding penalities when the puck carrier turns towards the boards to avoid a check.  The checker is committed to the check and can't slow down, if you turn towards the boards be prepared to your head planted in them.

I have to comment on Brett Hull's job on NBC during the playoffs.  I think he did a really good job and would like him to become the new commissioner or more involved in the way the NHL is run.  His comments about getting rid of diving, making players take off the face shield and fighting were all right on and I could not believe how much we think alike.  Making players accountable for diving with a penalty of 2 minutes for "not being able to skate" and 10 minute sit in the box embarrassment misconduct would get rid of the problem and do not call the original hook or trip. Let the players police themselves.   Players who shoot the puck at other players, stick other players or punch other players in the face during a scrum must be prepared to face the consequences.  The NHL is going the way of college hockey ...way to much sticking, punching in the face and yapping, its like watching lacrosse on ice.  I can't stand to watch it.  This leads right to my next point which is get rid of all face mask and visors.  Players will play cleaner with less yapping if they know they will get a punch in the mouth.  All players will have to respect others and learn to keep their sticks on the ice.  Every year every player should have to watch the footage of Marian Hossa knocking out Bryan Berards eye with a careless use of his stick. This should get their attention you would hope.   Right now you can knock out a players teeth and only get a double minor it's stupid.  All high stick penalties should be a 5 minute major, any blood drawn is an automaitc 5 and a game.   You can't tell me that players can't control their sticks.  Players can play the most intense hockey in overtime in the playoffs and they all keep their sticks down because they know the importance of not taking a penalty.  The same would be true in regular games if you get rid of face masks and impose stiffer penalties.  An accidental high stick is usually caused by the careless use of your stick.  ALSO  Get rid of all video replay, you have 2 referees and 2 goals judges, let them make the decision and lets get on with the game. Way too many video replays, get rid of them or get rid if the refs and goal judges.  This wouldn't make NHL Referee Kevin "Shorty" Pollock happy but I don't think it will ever happen,  I played with Shorty at Georgian College.  Let goalies play the puck anywhere they want as long as they understand that they might be hit with a LEGAL CHECK.  Get rid of all TV timeouts, find sponsers that will sponser for whole periods.  I wonder what Brett might think of these suggestions.  He would get my vote for the NHLPA's leader or the NHL's commish.

Recently I reffed a high school summer tournament and was surprised (not really)  that kids at this level playing summer hockey had not mastered the basic skills needed to play hockey beyond their high school years.   You would have thought that most were headed to the pros if you listened closely to many of the parents.   Here's some advice if you want to stand out from the other kids you have to do something on the ice that will get you noticed... nice goal, nice pass, nice hit, nice one on one move etc.   Why are you playing summer hockey if you do not want to work on your skills?  The lack of hockey knowledge and dedication is what really amazes me.

The last paragraph has a lot to do with kids nowadays not playing and practicing hockey away from the rink and the excuses that they come up with for not doing so.  I can count on both hands the number of road hockey games I have witnessed in this town and throughout North Dakota in the last 15 years.  It just does not happen .  There are  more distractions and no kids in our neighborhood who play because of the expense are a few excuses I can use.  That being said my kid wants to learn the game so I try and help him practice whenever I can.  He has hockey  drills and shooting drills he does everyday before he gets to play his video games.   I think this encourages work ethic and will/has improved his hockey skills, it also lets him understand that I don't mind shelling out all the money required to play this game but he will be required to shell out a 100% effort.  I don't think it is too much to ask.   With direction and support from me my kids will be as GOOD as THEY WANT to be.  I can supply the time, knowledge  and money but I cannot supply the dedication or effort.