Getting Ready for pre-season tournament

Today there was no practice but I spent time figuring out my lines and special teams for this weekend. My team will play in the Frederick Cup at Skate Frederick in Frederick, Maryland. This is a pre-season tournament for high school teams only. If you are in the area and are a hockey fan you should make time to come watch a couple of games.

Behavior

As I get my team ready for the season one of things I like to go with my team is what I expect of them. I tell the players that when they get a penalty they are to go directly to the penalty box and do not argue with the referee. I warn the players that if they argue with the referee they will get an additional penalty. I then tell them that for every additional penalty they get will be the number of minutes they will sit on the bench and not play.
  For the most part this works with the players and our penalty minutes stay low however, every year at least one player does not follow my directions but high school players need to learn there is consequences for not following direction. We will see what this season holds.

Silence is Wrong

As the season starts a coach has a lot to think but it is important for a coach to tell his players that if they have an injury to speak up. It is not right for a player to stay silent if they are hurt. The days of being a player that toughs it out are over. The increase in concussions makes it important for players and coaches to have  good two-way communication. So, players speak up and coaches listen.

Third Practice

For my third practice I will set the lines I will use for the Frederick Cup. My team manager picked up scrimmage vests for me to use at practice. He got 10 blue and 10 orange. The vests will help the players focus on who is on their line with them.

NHL Network

It is that time of year again when the NHLNetwork is free to watch for the month of October. This gives folks an opportunity to watch a number of games from all over the country and the league. It is fun to listen to Canadian broadcasts because they use different hockey terms and have different insights about teams that you not do always get watching Sports Center.

Second Practice

My second practice was a success because I had everyone at practice. This gave me a chance to work on some  possible forward lines. I  also got confirmation of what I thought after the first practice and that is the weak part of the team will be defense.

Goalies & Second practice

I still do not have a resolution to my goalie situation. I probably will not know how this will pan out until practice Wednesday night. This situation makes my planning for the season kind of difficult. Without a second goalie I will probably have to pull my team out of the preseason tournament.
   For my second practice I will focus on passing, shooting and checking. I will let you know what happens.