One of the biggest changes this year was made when the Cyclones reduced rosters sizes from 20 skaters to 15 skaters per team. Over the course of the year, 5 less players on the ice every time means significantly more repetition in drills and more playing time during games. This also reduces the number of travel opportunities available, going from 80 travel spots to 60. This format recognizes and celebrates the hardest working and hardest playing players. It also drives everyone to do more for the upcoming season to make sure they have the chance to earn a spot. Making a travel team with us now requires a lot more effort than simply filling out a travel registration form and showing up.
This format automatically increases the quality of our House program by having former travel level players involved that did not make travel teams. This year is one of the strongest groups we’ve ever had. Some players choose the House program because they prefer the weekend format at Fox Valley; others just need the time to further develop their skills. Every year we have had House players making our top travel teams, even our CSDHL teams. I’m very happy with the direction of the program at all levels.
Year after year, this one simple decision will have a major impact on the quality of players we have on our travel teams and on our house teams.
For our players that were fortunate to earn a spot on a travel team, the excitement was somewhat dissipated by the seeding round. As a whole, our teams did struggle in the initial start of the season. The thing is, they should. With a few exceptions, essentially every one of our travel players is playing at a higher level than they ever have.
The majority of NIHL clubs we skate against have their first teams playing at the Gold level, for us, we have our second team.
The same goes for our Silver and Bronze teams. Plus the majority of CSDHL teams have had teams for several years; our teams are in their second season and primarily made up of Gold, Silver, Bronze and even House players playing up. This is not something that can be changed over night; it will take time.
In the short run, losing games can be frustrating, if you don’t understand what the long-term goal is. In all sincerity, if our winning percentage is 50% or better at the higher levels we are doing very well. We are the underdogs right now, but not for long.
The thing is, players will migrate to their competition, whether up or down. There are clubs who put their teams down a level so they can win every game. We could do this, but we’re here to help the player’s development, not hurt it. I would rather that our players play up and have to move their feet faster, to shoot quicker and be challenged to do more, not less?
In the short run, it will definitely be tougher. The thing is, even when we are getting outscored in games, in the long run we are winning every time. We are learning the game at a higher level and we are gaining ground with every passing month. The true potential of this club is going to been recognized with our Mites and Squirts moving up through the program with all the established training and playing levels currently in place. The PeeWees, Bantams and Midgets have to work even harder because they did not have the initial training our new players are receiving. Last year alone, our Midget Major team placed more kids into Junior and college than most of the AAA programs, as I said we are well ahead of schedule.
Winning games is not the primary focus, teaching our players to meet challenges head on and work harder together to be successful is. This will help them find success in hockey; it will also help them develop qualities to be successful in life. This is truly why we are here and this is why this program is so successful.
In hockey, as in life, the more you put in is directly proportionate to what you get out. There are no short cuts in athletics, only challenges to face, goals to set and obstacles to overcome. I could not be more proud of the efforts of our coaches, parents and players in our drive for success. We are well on our way.
Have a great holiday season; I’ll see you around the rink!
Yours in sport,
Coach Brad.
[+] Return to Top |
is
