Little Johnny's best game

Coaching young boys and girls hockey introduces you to a whole range of budding characters and unique personalities. In the formative early years, many kids and their parents are experimenting with sports, hobbies and other activities as they try to identify what activities fit; what will these developing minds and individuals develop a burning passion for.

For example, when she was young, we thought the Devil might enjoy taking dance classes. Other girls her age in school seemed to enjoy dance, so why wouldn't she. We signed her up for dance and diligently escorted her to a couple of months worth of lessons, which culminated in a spectacular recital with a fantastic theme that not surprisingly slips my mind. The one unexpected aspect of the whole dance experience was the costume, which for this particular recital, was pink, purple and excessively frilly. For the Devil, learning to dance was one thing; having to wear something pink, purple and excessively frilly was quite another. And so, post-recital our adorable little girl raced out to the parking lot of the auditorium, tore off the pink crinoline beneath her purple skirt and sternly announced she was through with dance.

She has also tried gymnastics (far too much stretching). Then another round of Tap & Jazz dancing (because we somehow forgot about the whole costume thing and were again thoroughly underwhelmed by the frilly Scarecrow getup required for a new age production of The Wiz). Horseback riding was suggested and contemplated, but the lack of one critical component, namely a horse, proved to be a showstopper.

So far, hockey has been the preferred pastime; even with its cold early morning practices, dad's yelling "skate, skate, skate" from the stands and the occasional disappointment of a personal or team loss. Last week she spent a few hours brooding over having put a shot over the crossbar on a breakaway - a shot that would have tied a critical tournament game. So far she keeps coming back for more.

Such was not the case for one of my favourite young personalities from the Devil's minor tyke (4/5 year old) house league team. Little Johnny's parents diligently brought him to practices and games each week, but it was readily obvious that Little Johnny didn't really want to be there. Maybe it was his preferred prone position on the ice for the majority of practice or his general lack of effort/interest prior to, during and after games. I actually spoke to his father about it on one occasion, but Dad rightfully wanted to see Little Johnny at least fulfill his commitment to the team for the current season. According to Dad, playing hockey was actually Little Johnny's idea in the first place. But now, in short, hockey had quite obviously become Little Johnny's frilly dance costume.

In perhaps one of my all-time favourite moments in hockey thus far, Little Johnny came to the bench after a shift one game part way through the season and we engaged in the following conversation:

Little Johnny: Coach Jeff?
Me: Yes Johnny.
Little Johnny: You know what?
Me: What?
Little Johnny: I really suck at hockey.
Me: No you don't Johnny. You're getting better and just need to keep working at it.
Little Johnny: Nope, I suck. I can't score a goal and I don't want to play anymore.
Me: Oh, Johnny, I'm sure you'll get a goal sooner or later.

It took some convincing and cajoling, but I did finally get Little Johnny to go back out of the ice a few shifts later. On that shift, as it turned out, Little Johnny found himself fortuitously at the side of the net with the puck close by. In a moment of pure brilliance, Little Johnny quickly picked up the frozen black disc in his little gloved hand and threw it into the open net behind a bewildered goaltender. That wasn't Little Johnny's last game, but I'm guessing at some point he discovered another passion; perhaps shot put, javelin or pitching.

I've encountered a few other kids like Little Johnny who were there because their parents wanted them to be; perhaps to realize some unfulfilled dream from their own youth. But many others who seem to have a real passion and love for the game. I've certainly learned a lot from both. Most of all I think I've come to realize that kids need to be given the freedom and permission to discover what they feel fits them and to rip off the crinoline if it doesn't.

#imahockeydad