Resources

The Ladder
by J.M. Hannon
Summer 2003

The small town I grew up in arguably produced the greatest number of Division I hockey players per capita in the
nation while I was in high school and college in the late 70's and early 80's. This small upstate town of 2,000 people
was routinely sending one to two players per year off to the top college hockey programs in the country. John Hullar
to Yale, Kert Gennings to Northeastern, Ted Fauss to Clarkson, Dan Kane to Bowling Green, and Brian Hannon to
Michigan Tech. Each was a member of a graduating class of about 200 students at Clinton High School.

Why?

I'd have to say there were two reasons.

First, these kids, their parents, their teammates, and the community as a whole saw this as an attainable goal and,
therefore, they pursued everything relating to the game of hockey with passion (not just playing at the assigned ice
times - but playing in the street or on backyard rinks, going to the high school games together on Friday nights, and
hanging out at Hamilton College to watch Division III games.).

Second, the players, their parents, their teammates, and the community as a whole had a different view of what I call
the ladder than we tend to see around here these days. In the here and now, the main objective of many people
seems to be centered on grabbing the guy or guys ahead of you on the ladder, and holding them down, or, even,
pulling them back. By doing so, you will close the gap between you and them; or, at worst, keep it the same.
However, it is rare that those trying to hold the climbers back will go and pursue additional development. Seldom is
the act of cutting someone else down accompanied with the grabber taking the next step to move up. The grabber
seems to forget that you can't get something for nothing.

Given the two scenarios outlined above, where does that leave the hockey ladder here?

Broken and ineffective.

For the thousands of kids playing travel hockey in Western New York, and the millions of dollars being spent, what
excellence is there to show for it all?

(You want to see a parent get testy and defensive -- just ask them how much they spent on hockey this year. If you
want a real reaction, ask the parent of a 16-18 year old who is a member of the 5,000 club; that's $5,000 and 5,000
miles - for a split season!)

Western New York is certainly no high school basketball or high school football hotbed, but in each of these sports
there are more athletes playing at the Division I college level than there are Division I hockey players.

Though there are several other reasons for this (the subject of future essays), one big one is the clogged, stagnent
ladder filled with grabbers trying to hold each other back.

Another is the defeatist attitude of some of the most prominent coaches in the area who are on record as saying,
"nobody from here is gonna go anyplace anyway." Sadly, this has turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Our hope with the Buffalo Prospects Program is that you will set high goals, really high goals. Surely the guys I
mentioned at the start of this essay would never have played college hockey if they didn't have hope, hope that was
further fueled by optimistic, determined people around them.

Our objective for the 2003 and future summers is that you will push yourself and your teammates up the ladder. We
have put the program together to accelerate this. Within five years our area will be known in the hockey circles as a
place to find well trained and high character hockey players.

As has been said, a rising tide lifts all boats. Likewise, a pushing ladder will benefit every one of our players.

In hockey and in life.

Fun versus Satisfaction
by John Hannon
Fall 2003

Youth hockey players often hear the directive to "have fun" out there.

This is, of course, a noble and idealistic goal. It reinforces the thought that childhood should be enjoyable and
carefree.

What is having fun? Goofing around? Laughing? Play-acting?

Is working to the point of exhaustion having fun?

Is toiling and sweating having fun?

Is developing a passion for studying and learning having fun?

Is playing through pain having fun?

Is giving up other social activities to play or practice having fun?

Around the time players move past the age of 10, the "game" of hockey turns to the "competitive sport" of hockey;
especially for those pursuing excellence and aspiring to play at the college, junior, or pro level.

This is when such players can no longer simplistically be urged to "have fun." Why? Because working to the point of
exhaustion, toiling and sweating, studying and learning, playing through pain, and giving up other social activities are
not fun.

This is when satisfaction must replace fun as the driving force for self-motivation and player development.

What is satisfaction?

#1 Satisfaction must begin with a commitment to make the most of one's God given abilities. As has been said, "To
those that are given more, more is expected."

# 2 Satisfaction needs to continue with a relentless dedication to the pursuit of excellence. This means seizing upon
every learning opportunity, never settling for a second-rate teacher/coach, and never putting up with the antics of
uninformed or improperly influential parents.

Satisfaction is getting a little bit better every day.

Satisfaction is coming from behind to steal a victory.

Satisfaction is beating an opponent you were believed to have no chance against.

Satisfaction is backchecking to save a goal.

Satisfaction is sticking up for a teammate.

Satisfaction is passing to your teammate so they can score on an empty net.

Satisfaction is being physically and mentally exhausted, even in defeat.

Satisfaction is having a tear in your eye when the final game of the season ends.

Satisfaction is seeing a player on the verge of quitting the game having their spirit rekindled.

Satisfaction is seeing a player you coached become a coach.

There is nothing wrong with fun. But fun is not the same thing as satisfaction. It is critical for the development of elite
young athletes that the two not be confused.