Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern
It would be interesting to see the percentage of NHL players who had fanatic parents vs. those who were just out there to 'have fun'.
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In my experience it is seasy to tell the parents/coaches that played at a higher level. Generally, they are less crazy, while still holding kids accountable.
My boy has had a coach two years in a row that played some pro-hockey in the AHL/ACHL/Europe. He is focused on player development (do the players get better) and fun. He has said to parents that he doesn't care if we win a game or not. If he is developing players then the results look after themselves. A mate of mine has a boy playing for a coach that was drafted 36 or 39 overall in the 90's. He said the guy is an enjoyment focused coach, while still holding the players accountable. As an aside this is how he described professional hockey:
getting to the CHL is like winning the lottery
getting to the AHL is like winning the lottery
getting to the NHL is like winning the lottery
staying in the NHL is like winning the lottery
In short my experience is that the parents/coaches that played a hight level of sport are generally less crazy. Those parents/coaches that didn't play a high level are worse.
Also, last night my daughter's team took a bus to play a play-off game in another town. Her team lost the game, but won the series based on 2 game total goal. After the game the subsitute coach for the other team (the original coach is suspended for punching someone in another town) was calling on myself and the other coaches to fight in the hallway outside the dressingroom.
Over all minor hockey is great. I have two kids playing in it, so obviously I think it is great. But, I will say that as in most things the vocal minority is louder than the silent majority. I decided this year to be a vocal majority.
I dislike Ray as a "talking head", but his points are valid. He, IMO, is qualified to comment on them, and it is always useful to be reminded that this is a game, and that they should be plyaing because they enjoy it.