THE Most Important Hockey Season Is Coming Up?
March 29, 2012 by Dennis Chighisola
I’m hoping my hockey friends noticed the “THE” in my title, because I truly meant to type it that way. Yes, I feel that in the overall picture of being a hockey coach or hockey dad — or even if I was an adult rec player, the coming days, weeks and months are as important as any in the entire year! In a way, what we do over that span is going to determine how we (or our player/s) will perform next fall.
Oh, by the way… It’s very possible that I’ll leave this particular article available to the general public. In a small way, perhaps, I’m at least alerting as many hockey people as possible as to the importance of the coming weeks. As always, though, I’ll save the meaty stuff — or my exact recommendations — for my members only.
– Dennis Chighisola
THE Most Important Hockey Season Is Coming Up?
I’ve covered this topic — in depth and in many ways — elsewhere within CoachChic.com. To save you the time in chasing one important view of the spring months, however, let me at least outline the way most advanced level organizations and trainers break down an entire year…
In-season – your regular playing season
Post-season – the period immediately following the playing season
Off-season – something like the middle of that time away from your regular season
Pre-season - the weeks leading into your regular playing season
We all (including yours truly) tend to paint the entire time away from our regular schedule as the “off-season”. However, advanced level hockey types know that each of those four separate parts of our year should be treated very, very differently.
There should be little doubt that most amateur leagues have completed their regular seasons by now, and we’re currently in what the above shows as our “Post-season”.
Okay, so why is it I suggested we’re now into “THE Most Important” hockey season? Well, in a nutshell, it’s because I see it as our one chance to make corrections in what we’re doing, so we can get it even closer to right by next fall!
If you’re a hockey coach, I’ll suggest the first thing you do is perform some really serious soul-searching…
How about communication? Did the team (or team parents) conform to set team rules? Could those rules need expanding upon, or some slight altering or updating? Dealing with the players, might there be better ways to get our idea across — say, with added media or teaching tools?
And, how about the way your team came along… Even after coaching all the years I have, I know I’ve already recognized a few areas of play that could have been treated differently. (Yes, even I constantly re-evaluate my coaching, mainly because I intend to keep getting better and better at what I do.)
If you’re a hockey parent — and you truly want your youngster to enter the next season even better than the last, I’ll suggest the following…
Be honest in an evaluation of his or her weaknesses. If the player is old enough, see if he or she agrees with what you’re saying, and if he or she is willing to do a little work to overcome those shortcomings.
Also be honest in seeking your youngster’s strengths (or more likely, a main strength). That could be speed, aggressiveness, size, puckhandling, shooting, whatever. For, as I’ve written elsewhere here, future coaches (and even scouts) most often get attracted by strengths before they start to look for weaknesses. So, for example, if a player has a hard shot, it probably wouldn’t hurt that his or her shot be brought to the point of being absolutely frightening to opposition goalies.
I honestly believe adult rec players could do a similar self evaluation… I don’t know if dwelling on a strength would be my main priority but, I wouldn’t discount it. Mostly, though, I notice that a great many recreational skaters would benefit lots by eliminating their weaknesses. Ya, you’ve got to “accentuate the positive”, as the old song goes.
Those who know me probably realize how much I value time — as in the amount of time I have to accomplish a given task. So, just take a look at the coming Post-, Off-, and Pre- seasons through my eyes for a sec, and appreciate that we now have the luxury of 5-months to ready for next fall. Yup, count ‘em: April, May, June, July and August, IF we don’t piddle that precious time away!
Oh, by the way… I can almost bet that half the non-members reading this are going to revert to what they’ve always done — like chasing tournaments all over the countryside, attending the most popular hockey school, or enrolling for the usual spring and/or summer league. Oh, one of those might not kill a player, but I doubt any of them will help solve the things you consider as playing weaknesses or strengths. In fact, if one keeps doing what he or she has always done in the past, it’s very doubtful any significant results can be achieved.
All the above gives you a hint of what I have in store (for members) over the coming months. A lot of it is going to involve ideas for off-ice training (and training at home), because I’ve found that these types of overlapping activities not only help a player’s hockey game, but they also expand his or her physical — and even mental — abilities quite a bit. That said, I promise that I’ll still be adding some on-ice ideas to help all my friends reach their goals for when the puck drops again in earnest next fall.
Then, this final tip… Most elite level programs and instructors (as well as wise hockey parents) know that a player takes quite a physical and mental pounding over a long winter In-season. So, while those in the know never allow those in their charge to suddenly become couch potatoes, they do back-off on the heavy training for a short time. In elite circles, the kind of physical stuff done during this period is known as “passive activity”. And, in my mind, this is the one time during an entire year when — if things are done right — a player’s love of the game can be greatly renewed. Tournaments, camps and off-season leagues don’t do that, but I’ll be telling you soon just what will.
Love this article. I am not fond of the local “Spring League” because it is just 13 games with 1 or 2 practices. However, we let our 7 year old decide – it was a tough decision but he made the right one (in my opinion). He is going to spend time swimming, roller blading biking and learning to golf. June/July/early August(off-season) he wants to get back to the ice weekly and do 1 week of half day camp (2 hours on ice 2 hours off). Late August he wants to do a week of camp (4 hours daily on the ice with 2 hours off ice in the middle). House league evaluation skate will be in September and teams will be assigned for an October start.
This was his plan, put together with some direction and help from Dad of course. But I gave him several options and I think he chose well.
Man, Matt, I’m with you on all of that! You may have read elsewhere here about scientific types calling the era of specialization a failed experiment, and that forms much of the basis for the things I now suggest — to my players, and to CoachChic.com members.
Those other sports your son will be playing will actually expand both his physical and mental capabilities, and hopefully turn him into a more well rounded athlete. And, as we’re all likely noticing nowadays, the best in nearly any sport is usually a great athlete.
Good luck this off-season, and be sure to let me know how things go over the next few months.
Hi Coach, here is Stefano from Italy. It has been a long time since the last time I wrote, but today I checked the site to find some inspiration and when I read this article I’ve tought I found what I was looking for! My season ended halfway March and I was mentally burnt at that time, but now the will for playing and further developing has come back (besides, thank you very much for the suggestions you gave to me about skating, they helped me tremendously! Our team had a winning season and I had a helluva fun!). We don’t have summer leagues here in Italy, and even to find open skating rinks is difficult. Add to this that I really don’t like roller blades (in my humble opinion the feeling is too much different than the ice feeling), and, well, I don’t know what to do to become a better player. I’ve tought about doing weight lifting to add some muscles and go running to keep up the condition (maybe stickhandling drills too?). Any suggestion Coach? Everything will be welcome. Thank you again and I wish you all the best!
Great to hear from you again, Stefano, and I’m pleased to know that I was able to help you in some ways.
I would suggest that you re-think your feelings on in-line skating during the off-season. What you might have failed to realize is that — as an older player — you can (and should) use that mode of training to work on specifics. I mean, you could do short sprints up slight inclines, practice your skating form at a moderate pace, or work on certain footwork skills that still need more improvement. With some care, you can also use in-lines for conditioning.
As for other ideas, there are really thousands of things you can do, and they would be too many to list here. However, many awesome ideas are shown withing the 500+ pages here in CoachChic.com. Just browse away to take your game to a new level.
Whatever you do, don’t squander the coming months, because they are going to dictate how much fun and success you’ll have starting next fall.
PS: I just discovered that I’ll be coaching two American based adult teams to travel and play in Northern Italy next spring. I’ll know more about actual cities we’ll visit within a few months.
Thanks a lot Coach! I’m gonna re-try the in-line skating, since there’s an outdoor rink near my home. I’m really happy you’re coming to Italy next spring! I don’t know if it’s your first time in your ancestors’ country, but anyway, I’m sure you’re gonna love it here! Could be a great opportunity for me as well to know you personally. Don’t hesitate to ask me for whatever you’ll need (translations, guidance, informations) here in Italy! Hope to hear you soon, Ciao!
Coach, this is heart-touching… I think it’s highly possible for us to meet each other, since the only towns where hockey is played in Italy are in the northern part of the country. I live in Bolzano, (really north!) which is the hotbed of hockey here, the place where hockey began in Italy in the 20′s. As I said in my prevoius e-mail, I’m ready (and I would be happy to do that) to support you and your teams in every possible way. Can’t wait to meet you, Coach. I don’t know you personally yet, but I feel you as a great human being!
Wow, that is really nice, Stefano. And, I know we are going to the northern part of Italy, and into Austria, I believe. I’d truly like to meet you, too! So, let’s stay in touch, huh?
By the way… If anyone is wondering about that trip, years ago I was hired to coach a women’s team for the White Nights Tournament in Russia, and I so much enjoyed working with adult players that I’ve begun working with a company that arranges such trips. So, I am going to form two teams — one of men, the other for women, and we’re doing that tour sometime next April.
Coach, thanks for your appraisal! I guess if you’ll travel into Austria with your teams, then you will be forced to pass through Bolzano, since this is the most direct and comfortable way to Austria. Besides, we got the best arena in Italy (Cap. 7.200 – the name of the arena is “Palaonda”), and I can proudly say I regurarly practice there!
. Did you know the 1994 World Championships were played in Bolzano? (Canada won). Could be that our arena will be scheduled for one of your games…A question: how can you manage and coach the two teams in the same trip? Do you own superpowers? 
)
In reality, I will do the “coaching” back home before we go. With that, I should be able to manage both the men’s and women’s benches without a problem.
By the way… My grandson has been doing a family tree, and he’s traced my grandmother (or his great, great grandmother) to a small town in Northern Italy. I can’t remember the name of that town right now, but I’ll have to ask you about it when I can. That kind of stuff fascinates me.
Hi Coach, I got some news for you: After extensive research by our “Araldic Office”
I discovered that: Your last name was originally written as “Chighizola”. It was an ancient and illustrious ligurian (from the region Liguria, Northern Italy) family of navigators, and they owned a fleet of ships in mid ’500. The name has a meaning in ligurian dialect and the translation would be: “Those who stay on the beach”. In Genova ( I guess it is Genua in english) exist a Place Chighizola and a Chighizola Street. Last but not least: one of the family members crossed the pond and established shipment offices in New York and New Orleans! You may discover you are kinda Baron, Duke or Earl or somewhat someday! 
Stefano, I appreciate that more than you will know. Actually, I immediately copied it and sent it along to family members, including my grandson who is working on a family tree.
We have always wrestled with the “z” versus “s” in our last name, because there are few around the world who spell their name like mine (with the “s”).
Realizing you might not be aware of US history, let me share this story… When the US port of New Orleans was under siege by the British, pirates came to the citizens’ rescue, including one Louis Chighizola, aka “Nez Coupe” (his nose was cut off in a duel). He and the other pirates became heroes, and there is now a monument to Nez Coupe in New Orleans, and a Chighizola Lane. Also, if anyone has seen the 1950′s movie, “The Buccaneers”, the film’s star, Errol Flynn, calls out, “Chighizola, burn that ship!” There are countless Chighizolas now living across the Southern United States.
Of course, we have always wondered if we were related to the famous pirate, but your story seems to fit perfectly. So, thanks so much. I hope we do get to meet next spring!
Coach, I’m happy I could help you. I can ensure you the “Z” versus “S” problem depends on the way the officiers of immigration wrongly wrote the names of the italian immigrants when they first arrived in the States. Tons of italians had their names changed because of that. The right pronounce and writing in italian is with the “Z”! I didn’t know about the story of Mr. Nez Coupé, but I always loved to study U.S. history since I was in High School. You may not believing it, but I was doing it right last night, while I dived deeply in my U.S. geographical encyclopedia! I’ve never been in the States yet, but someday… Always a great pleasure to hear from you Coach
I know that to be true, Stefano — about names being changed as immigrants arrived in the States. Thanks so much for taking an interest in this for me. I look forward to hopefully meeting you in your country next spring.
You can bet it on, Coach! As I said, for everything regarding Italy, just ask! There’s a remote possibility I will come to visit the States between Autumn and Winter this year (about November, I guess) . I’m negotiating for a new job and if the things are going to settle in the right way I should quit my actual job toward the end of this year and begin the new one in January 2013. This would allow me to have the money and the time to finally come to U.S. I’m planning to visit the most holy hockey spots (Hall of Fame and Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Matthews Arena in Boston, MSG in New York and many others) and attend some NCAA and NHL games. Obviously, one of my first stops will be Withman, MA! I’ll let you know.
For sure, Stefano, let’s stay in touch!