Changing Hockey Culture: Are We Reaching A Tipping Point?

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Sat, 08/04/2012 - 03:18. | comments

Playing the game of ice hockey within the rules would seem like a simple concept. Yet all efforts to accomplish this objective have thus far proven elusive, from the NHL all the way down to the youngest levels. In a previous post I reported that Minnesota Hockey has retained the much harsher penalties for two of the three most dangerous plays in the game. In fact, Minnesota has the toughest rules in youth and high school hockey in the country. The question is, will this be enough to change the culture of the sport?

Playing the game of hockey within the rules would seems like a simple concept. Yet all efforts to enforce the rules have thus far proven elusive. Will making the rules for dangerous play tougher be enough to change the culture? This coming season may be the tipping point.

Handling Pressure In Sports: Parents Can Help

As a parent, you can help your child learn how to positively deal with pressure and stress during sports events, teaching them a valuable life skill that will benefit them in other areas of their life, too.

Tim Twellman

Parents ...Your Support is Needed NOW

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Fri, 07/20/2012 - 13:32. | comments

I know I speak for your kids when I say "THANK YOU" for everything that you do for them.

These young athletes could never do what they do without the help of their parents and/or guardians.

"THANK YOU" and I know they appreciate it even if they don't say so.

It is that time of year and your son or daughter will be back in school and competing athletically in their sport of choice.

I know I speak for your kids when I say "THANK YOU" for everything that you do for them. No way they could get through all of this without your support, especially as they move on to High School sports.

Tim Twellman

There Is Life After Sport: It's Called Work

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:55. | comments

All athletes, all levels will have to adjust to life after their playing careers are over. This is a very difficult time in most players' lives, and it can happen most unexpectedly.

This is exactly what happened to all three of my kids as well as myself.

My daughter Alexandra broke her nose, which was so dramatic she decided not to play and hasn't played ever since her senior year in college. She is currently working, and has adjusted very well to life after sports.

My son James tore both ACLs in a matter of 12 months, which ended his professional playing career. He is also currently working and doing well. A devastating year for James, but he has poured his energy into working and is very successful.

All athletes, all levels will have to adjust to life after playing. It is a very difficult time in most players' lives and it can happen most unexpectedly.

Poor Nutrition At Summer Tournaments: Is 'Vacation Mindset' To Blame?

With summer tournaments having long since replaced family vacations for many sports parents, it's easy to get in a "vacation mindset" when it comes to nutrition. But, says one sports dietitian and mom, the fact is that kids can't 'out-train' a bad diet, especially if it includes unhealthy food from concession stands every weekend.

Hal Tearse

Minnesota Hockey Retains More Severe Penalties, Aims for Better Enforcement

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 03:19. | comments

Minnesota Hockey, the governing body for 40,000 youth hockey players in the state, has voted to continue with the pilot program begun last Janaury that made checking from behind and boarding 5 minute major and 10 minute misconduct penalties. The program was instituted after high school player Jack Jablonski suffered a spinal cord injury from an unpenalized check from behind. The USA Hockey rule book allows for escalating levels of penaly time depending on the incident. That discretion no longer exists in Minnesota in youth or high school hockey.

Minnesota Hockey, the governing body for 40,000 youth hockey players in the state, has voted to continue rule changes enacted last January which stiffened the penalties for checking from behind and boarding and hope for better enforcement.

Tim Twellman

College Recruiting: How An Expert Can Help

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 20:35. | comments

If you son or daughter wants to play college sports, it is important that you and your student athlete understand the recruiting process and that you are doing what is necessary and and off the field to get noticed. An expert in the college recruiting process can help.

A couple of tips:

If you son or daughter wants to play college sports, it is important that you and your student athlete understand the recruiting process and that you are doing what is necessary and and off the field to get noticed. An expert in the college recruiting process can help.

Tim Twellman

Do College Sports Camps Help An Athlete Get Recruited?

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 21:07. | comments

With summer camp season approaching, student-athletes anxiously await their opportunity to jump-start the college recruiting process. Camps can give athletes the opportunity to compete against other athletes from around the country. They are especially attractive to athletes who are trying to get discovered by college coaches.

But it is important for you as parent to help manage your athlete's expectations about what attending a sports camp can and can't do.

A college camp offers a student-athlete a chance to make an all-important first impression in front of college scouts, so it is important that impression be a good one because it is hard to change.

Tim Twellman

Playing for the Right Team: Less Important Than Committment to Sport and Love Of Game

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Mon, 06/11/2012 - 21:08. | comments

Does playing for the right team, club or high school guarantee getting recruited for college is a question all parents of elite athletes end up facing sometime along the way as their children continue their growth as athletes.

The answer is simply no. An athlete definitely has to play the sport they love with a commitment to being the best they can be. This can be accomplished at all levels of clubs, but the important thing is that the athlete be competitive with other top players. There is no need to jump from club to club.

Playing for the right team, club or high school doesn't guarantee getting recruited for college. It is more important that an athlete enjoy the team and loves to practice and play.

Emily Cohen

Is Your Child's Coach Committing an Athletic Felony?

Submitted by Emily Cohen on Sat, 05/26/2012 - 23:17. | comments

Much has been written lately about the emotional damage coaches can do to youth athletes.

Coaches who selfishly overuse and physically push athletes too far for the benefit of the team's win-loss record or their own ego are committing an athletic felony.

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