Certainly a riveting topic of conversation. Why are kids so quick to quit Junior A Hockey? As far as I'm concerned, kids are quitting for a number of reasons. Granted each kid is different, and each kid's cicumstances are different too. However when you look closely at some of the possibilities, here are some reasons why I feel kids are quitting:
1) A Lack of Ice Time.
2) A Clash with Fellow Players.
3) A Clash with Coaching Staff.
4) Off-ice struggles/incidents.
5) Parental involvement.
6) Losing one's passion.
Pver the next few days, I'm going to go a little deeper into these six variables and throw out some food for thought and my overall critique of each reason. I'm going to preface these answers with the fact that I never did play Junior A hockey, but I did play competitively for 11 years and I have spent more than enough time behind the scenes in Junior Hockey to feel like my opinion actually stands for something. I'm not saying that I'm right, or I'm wrong. You asked for my take, so here it is. Your comments are always appreciated so long as they are appropriate.
1) When a kid quits due to a lack of ice-time there are a few factors that first need to be considered. Is the kid being sat based on performance, numbers or due to off-ice problems? If a player performs poorly by taking a bad penalty, turning the puck over often or simply not putting forth the neccessary effort consistently, I have ZERO problem with the coach sitting him or her, no matter their age or reputation. It's a coaches job to win, and if he feels like he needs to bench player X in favor of player Y, then who am I or who are we to question it. The only people who can legitimately question the decision of the coaching staff are the coaches themselves, and the Board of Directors who ultimately write the checks for coaches. Call me 'old school' but if when I see a player get benched or scratched, my immediate response is:
"Next time out (either at practice or in a game) show the coaches why you deserve to draw back in."
Too many kids seem to have a strange sense of entitlement and for some reason they feel that they are exempt from the same rules as everybody else. Put it this way, if the New Jersey Devils can sit Ilya Kovalchuk for poor play, then why should a junior hockey player in the SJHL feel like he's entitled to different treatment?
If a player is being benched because of a rotation, then my answer remains the same. When you get your opportunity, you need to prove that you belong in the lineup. Most coaches aren't going to ignore a players skill and effort if it's helping the team win.
Normally when a goaltender wins a game, he'll receive some strong consideration to start the next game. Being a 'bubble' forward or defenceman is no different. If you draw into the lineup and you help the team win - Then you'll likely find yourself playing the next night too. If not, why wouldn't the coach switch it up?
If the kid is being benched becaues of breaking curfew or other off-ice issues like school, showing up late for team functions etc. Again I have no sympathy for the player in question. Junior Hockey players have a responsibility to their teammates, coaches and community to be on time, and to represent the organization as best as possible.
Again, coaches aren't in the business of benching kids because of personal vendettas and grudges. They are in the business of winning hockey games, and they're going to use the best 23 hockey players at their disposal at a given time to get the job done. If a player objects to the coach's decision they have every right to be frustrated, but instead of pouting and complaining, why not focus that energy on getting back into the lineup? Why not calmly talk to the coach after a practice and ask, "What do I need to do to get back into the lineup?" You listen to what the coach says, and then you do your damndest to get there.
In the end, if a player quits a team due to a lack of ice-time or opportunity, I can't really sympathize because those are the decisions that coaches are paid to make, and having never coached a meaningful game of hockey in my life - I will at least give them the benefit of the doubt.
Tomorrow I'll discuss clashes with fellow players and how that may impact a player's desire to quit a team.
What do you think?
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11 comments:
Dan I think you forgot the biggest factor of all. Coaches and organizations should be in the business of developing hockey players and young adults first and foremost! This also includes teaching the players respect, dignity and morality. Winning is secondary. If they are only in the business of winning, not too many teams including the stars have been very successful. Some of the best and most successful players may not have been on the winningest teams. Unfortunately, coaches have to focus on keeping their jobs and some of the other stuff gets left out in the process. When a player feels he is no longer wanted or a part of the team, because he is never in the lineup or getting ice time, why not go somewhere else or move on with life?
You raise several good points. I have no objection to a player wanting to move on and play elsewhere if thye're not getting the ice-time. But surely you'll agree that there's a difference between quietly asking a coach for that opportunity and staying the course rather than publically leaving a team and saying, "trade me, I'm done here!"
I agree that winning isn't everything, but tell that to a patient fan-base and a coach who's livelihood depends on fielding the best team that gives him a chance to WIN. Thanks for weighing in!
Well put Anonymous. interesting take Dan. These guys dont quit lightly. They want to play as much as the next guy. you cant always take the high road if you truly want an objective answer Dan.I am not sure if this pertains to our team or not, deep down the fans know...but when you constantly see lazy floaters who dont back check, dont take a hit to make plays, and seem to get away with more rule infractions that seem to go unpunished, rewarded with roster spots and off season guarantees, it becomes a question of who does get the entitlement? In some cases, a player can only take a back seat to this so long. Who wouldnt feel snuffed out. Where does hard work reward these guys? From what I have seen almost every game this season, it isnt here. Players are always being told to work hard, you will play..yet guess what..in some organizations, thats not the case.What type of club are we becoming? Are our players hard workers? A few are for sure, but there are 3 or 4 for sure that have been given a very fair chance and despite having cheated the back two zones of the ice, they are still playing...? Now we have our roster down to manageable numbers, but we still lack the main ingredient. A core of hard working players. NOT one or two. It seems in the past few years, our hardest working players have had to leave to play.
Any person who has been around midget and junior hockey for a few years knows that now more than ever, there are deals cut with certain players before they are even signed.
Deals that guarantee ice time, first line privileges, goaltending time etc.
These deals are extremely tough and bewildering to the kid who works his butt off, and who may be better than the player that cut the deal.
This is a fact.
"Deals that guarantee ice time, first line privileges, goaltending time etc.
These deals are extremely tough and bewildering to the kid who works his butt off, and who may be better than the player that cut the deal"
Ken Pearson isn't a coach who guarantee's kids they will play on the top line. He tells parents straight up that his lines change on a game to game basis and we have seen that here in NB this year.
Age ultimately is a factor as well, as part of the learning curve. A coach may sit a kid out after a bad game to show him had bad a feeling it can be. I did play Jr. A hockey and while I was by no means a top line player I felt sick having to sit out and watch games.
As a rookie in life in general you pay your dues, whether it be teams, at work or in many organizations.
Like Dan mentions, you need the attitude to show the coaches why they can rely on you and why you should be dressing you. The same can be said for ice time on the power play and penalty kill. Kids need to earn their time.
Also this is high level hockey. Hockey is played to be won. There is a winner and a loser, its not a business of developing young adults at this level. That comes with the part of being on a team and winning together and losing together and the team atmosphere.
If you do not care about winning they can go play local midget or club league hockey.
No Jr. A coach is going to think to themselves " I have to dress player X tonight, or else he wont be developing as a young adult"
He thinks, who will I dress tonight to give my team the best chance to win a game.
Players feel they have a sense of entitlement like Dan mentions, when in reality they should be happy the Stars are given them an opportunity to play hockey. There are thousands of kids in this country who would love a chance to play on a junior team.
As the first poster mentioned
"why not go somewhere else or move on with life?"
I think that's exactly whats happening and what should happen. If you are going to whine and complain then your going to be a cancer to the team. The players that go home are always borderline players. If you are that good someone will trade for you and a coach will usually try to accommodate.
If your borderline getting ice time on a junior A team maybe its time to hang them up and get yourself in school full time and move on with life. Some of these kids are 19 years old and just out there to have fun and live the life of a hockey player.
Let's face it, in all likelihood none of these guys are going to make the NHL or a living out of hockey.
C'mon Dan - face it, you have NO problem really with anything the coach does. I guess that makes you a good fan? But, from another perspective, do you, do we, ever stop and think that this is all supposed to be about the kids? And YES, it is supposed to be a developmental league. These players have given a lot to be there, and very often it simply is not recognized. Coaches are paid to be there. Players are not. Really, who is making the bigger sacrifices? When kids get traded by the coaches doing, it is posted and talked about and there are very few secrets. Yet when players CHOOSE to leave, there is some kind of expectation to keep it quiet and not publicize that they are not happy. Really?? And to top it off "fans" try to pass it off as bad attitude, problems with players, off ice issues, or losing passion. Why does it have to be a negative reflection on the player? What about this - they are not getting anything out of it, they are being treated poorly, lied to or at least misled, not getting any real support and quite frankly - they see it is simply not worth the time and sacrifice they have put up throughout the years. Maybe, just maybe the sport and the "system" fails them and NOT the other way around.
it's not just some of the fans that try and pass it off as a "bad attitude" or "cancer" to the team. Too many times in the past few years players have left various teams, and individuals who "speak for the organization" have gone out of their way to spread false rumors aimed at ruining that players reputation. I am not saying this necessarily applies to the STARS, but in general, players know where good environments are. The other issue is today's players have more options, and they recognize smoke up there butt, and they will only tolerate it so long. That's not a bad thing. Reputation as a club and as an honest up front coaching staff, board, and management go a long way in recruitment and retaining of players. As one comment stated, these guys do not quit easily.I agree with that. Dan, you will never really find out why players leave, all you will find is finger pointing and blame. I can tell you that by the time they leave, there is usually hard feelings. It is really unfortunate, because really all they want to do is to play hockey. Also, if no "deals" are being struck, how do you explain certain players still playing? I've played at this level in recent years, and i can tell you for a fact, there are significant problems that continue to be tolerated at this level. Who is accountable for the players well being? If you ask for a trade, they may tell you no one is interested, or blemish your character, or ship you to Sioux lookout somewhere...if you quit, someone tells everyone you were a "cancer". One last point, why is the SJ recuiting more and more players form Quebec, East Coast and USA? Are you kidding me? We dont have equal players in our own province?? This is Tier II hockey!! Nothing personal against any of out players here, it is just a point worthy of consideration...look at the rosters throughout the league.
I've dealt with these issues on many occasions. One big issues is also homesick. You'd be surprised how many players come home because they miss their girlfriends or they just miss what they are used to doing on a day to day basis. I moved away from a small city to the big city of Toronto after university and I hated it. I lasted 2 years however it felt like so much wait off my shoulders to return home to a slower paced life in surroundings I grew up with.
The SJHL is no different from any other junior leagues. I know 3 kids right now who came home from the Maritime League and two from Ontario. Also it happens at other levels as well I know two CIS players whom quit after playing 1 year of CIS. These are 5 players from one city in one season.
Most time's it is the players choice. Teams rarely send kids home unless they problematic.
I've been close to some strange situations. A few years an 18 year hockey star, whom played prep school hockey and could have basically had his choice to play on a major junior team. The parents were extremely high on Education. Anyway to make a long story short he played CIS as an 18 year old which is very rare. Usually it is Major junior kids going on to the CIS ranks. Anyway this player's parents were so involved he ended up quitting hockey and not playing his last year of eligibility. Rather than go to school on a scholarship he fortified the money and worked at a minimum wage job all summer to save enough money to go to school when he could have played hockey and has his tuition paid for.
I also know another player who played major junior, was getting plenty of ice time, scored 15 goals as an 18 year old and then just decided to quit hockey because he had no desire.
In both these player's cases they had grown up there whole life with strict parents with regards to hockey. I mean things like having to go in the basement and shoot 100 pucks a night. Borderline abuse in my opinion forcing kids to do that. Anyway once they got to certain points they just had enough it was not fun.
The one who quit CIS now works as a successful engineer and the one who quit major junior is nearing completion of med school.
So maybe it was the best decision to quit hockey. Even the average NHL career is only 5 years long. You need something to do and to be able to survive for the rest of your life.
So every case is different. As much as anyone does not want to admit it Hockey is a business and no one is going to change that. At this level it is about winning. Coaches usually don't have anything personal against a player they simply want to ice the best lineup they feel gives them the best opportunity to win a game.
I deal more so with pro teams but to be honest all the coaches at the junior level have the same ideology as the pro ones and that is to win hockey games.
Ken Pearson is a coach in particularly whom is know for moving players on somewhere. Each year Ken generally has a place for all of his graduating players whether it be pro, NCAA or CIS. Look at his team's in the past and last year with Malek,Filteau, Peake, Lebreton, Wall etc.
Some coaches will tell parents/players they looking for places for kids to play when they are done but Ken is a guy who actually does it instead of just saying it. He seems to take pride in knowing he can move players on to other levels.
My previous statement was too large so I needed two posts.
I also know another player who played major junior, was getting plenty of ice time, scored 15 goals as an 18 year old and then just decided to quit hockey because he had no desire.
In both these player's cases they had grown up there whole life with strict parents with regards to hockey. I mean things like having to go in the basement and shoot 100 pucks a night. Borderline abuse in my opinion forcing kids to do that. Anyway once they got to certain points they just had enough it was not fun.
The one who quit CIS now works as a successful engineer and the one who quit major junior is nearing completion of med school.
So maybe it was the best decision to quit hockey. Even the average NHL career is only 5 years long. You need something to do and to be able to survive for the rest of your life.
So every case is different. As much as anyone does not want to admit it Hockey is a business and no one is going to change that. At this level it is about winning. Coaches usually don't have anything personal against a player they simply want to ice the best lineup they feel gives them the best opportunity to win a game.
I deal more so with pro teams but to be honest all the coaches at the junior level have the same ideology as the pro ones and that is to win hockey games.
Ken Pearson is a coach in particularly whom is know for moving players on somewhere. Each year Ken generally has a place for all of his graduating players whether it be pro, NCAA or CIS. Look at his team's in the past and last year with Malek,Filteau, Peake, Lebreton, Wall etc. I know some of these guys played elsewhere as well but it is still relevant.
Some coaches will tell parents/players they looking for places for kids to play when they are done but Ken is a guy who actually does it instead of just saying it. He seems to take pride in knowing he can move players on to other levels.
Dan,
You have now achieved a new level with your blog. I'm pretty sure you are the only Sports Director/Journalist who is brave enough and confident enough to moderate a discussion like this one. Kudos to you. I see a very bright future for you. Keep up the good work.
From one of the many "shut-ins" who enjoys your radio broadcasted games. Good Luck to the Stars tonight in Melfort.
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