Hockey Tournaments - A Time to Connect

A piece of American history is slowly fading away, traveling together. Now, before you go saying that “I always travel with someone”, just because two people are next to each other, does not always mean they are truly together. Now more than ever, once players and parents who may be passengers enter the car after the game, a quick conversation ends, and the screen entertainment begins. For as easy as it is to pop on your phone or tablet to kill the time in the car home, many families are missing out on some quality time together.

               We all know a person or two who may be on the other end of this spectrum. It does not matter if it is a home game or traveling home from the last Elite Amateur Sports hockey tournament in Michigan, that car ride is for the parent to proclaim their infinite wisdom of the game as if they were Scotty Bowman themselves. Moderation is always key, especially when it comes to the mentality of children in this day in age. There are many ways to approach your young athlete, positivity and support is especially important, as well as keeping critiques constructive. You do not need to be an expert in the game to help kids understand situations, but it must also be noted that the kids coach usually has been hired for a reason.

               Something more parents and coaches need to start doing to help with this new wave of players, is to ask them questions, and allow them to learn from themselves. Players like the Tkachuck boys likely did not get to the level that they are, without positive guidance from a role model who has been there before. On the flip side, a phenomenal support system is what helped Patrick Kane move from his native Buffalo to Detroit at 14 and succeed, even without a NHL pedigree behind it. The next time you load up your car for one of our AAU hockey tournaments from out of state or decide to head up from the mitten to the UP for our amazing Boo in the Soo girls hockey tournament, allow some time for family conversation, and leave the post-game iPads to the professionals.