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View Supporting Videos - Martin St. Louis & Jayna Hefford

1. Let your kid talk first 
2. Ask Questions
3. Focus on the Effort and Enjoyment, not the Execution and Excuses
4. Don’t play the blame game
5. Slow things down - allow the kids to focus on the long term.

1.  If the kids want to talk hockey -  do so.  If they do not, respect their wishes. Do not badger them. Let them open the door for the conversation 1st. 

2. Ask questions rather than telling them what they did right or wrong on the ice -  Asking Q’s allows you to see what they see. The view from the stands is a lot different than the ice. 

3. Focus on what you can control -  like effort, good body language, enjoyment of the game. It’s the coaches job to focus on execution. Don’t provide them with any excuses or support their excuses. Focus on “team” plays.

4. Ownership is such an important part of hockey/life development - Playing or supporting the blame game takes “Ownership” off of your kid. Rather focus on the things they can control or improve on. 

5. Give your kids a big picture view of what their hockey career will be - Players shouldn’t live and die by 1 game -  it doesn’t define your son/daughter. Whether they play well or not -  support them but let them know that they are only as good as their next game and they’ll play many, many, more.