Navigating The Tryout Process

Lets talk about the elephant in the room, “tryouts”. First and foremost, embrace the process, and do your best to think big picture. No single season will ever dictate the trajectory of your child’s career. If your child makes the team, Great Job! If they fall short, encourage the principal that they’re fortunate to be learning such a quality lesson at a young age! Moving out of disappointment, set your goals – develop a game plan – and lets get to work! “Things will always turn out best for those who make the best out of the way things turn out.”

After a career of living in the land of uncertainty at the National and American Hockey League levels where literally everyday is a tryout. I believe the following qualities must be exemplified to ensure a positive tryout.

1. Compete Level

• Your child has to want it, and more importantly EARN it! With every opportunity they’re granted, their effort level has to be relentless.

2. Ability Level & Versatility

• No question supreme skill ability jumps off the page. However, every player in the world has deficiencies; and no player is great at everything. Players that are good at a lot of skills only help their overall odds. Be a Swiss Army knife of versatility. Every coach needs one of those.

3. Timing

• Unbelievably under-rated and under-appreciated. Do you ever wonder why or how “so and so made it…?” Timing. Being at the right opportunity and playing well at the right time, and finding the right team that needed what you offered.

Good luck to everyone in your upcoming tryouts!