When was the last time you watched a game and saw one of the teams execute a perfect breakout or score a tic-tac-toe powerplay goal? There is a reason that when you see it happen on TV, the announcers get so excited about it…because those “perfect” plays happen so infrequently.
A coach of mine used to always say, “The ice is slippery. Take advantage of it.”

Mistakes are going to happen and it is those teams and players who recover quickly that are going to excel. You can be focused and confident before you head out of the dressing room - but how do you react when those mistakes happen on the ice? You have to regroup quickly and refocus on the task at hand. It is the ability to regain your composure quickly that separates the “great” teams and players from the “good” ones.

Let It Go

The most critical thing to do after you have made a mistake during a game is letting it go and to forget about it as quickly as possible. This is often “easier said than done” - especially when you score on your own net or miss a sure goal on an open net. No matter how big you think the mistake was, there is absolutely nothing that you can do to change it. It is now in the past and you can't go back in time and make it go away.

But you do have control over how you react after a mistake.

When you react negatively to a mistake, whether outwardly (like slamming your stick against the boards) or inwardly (by telling yourself that you can't do anything right), you let that mistake take control of you. And you need to stay focused on what you can control. You can't control what happened in the past. You have the choice to either let the mistake get to you or to move on. Since there is absolutely no benefit to dwelling on the mistake, the choice is clear: you have let it go.

One tool that has always worked well for many players is to think about “flushing” their mistakes down the toilet. I know, it sounds a little strange -
but trust me, it works. When you get back to the bench after a tough shift, just take your mistake and “flush it”. Once you “flush it”, it is gone forever - or at least until after the game when you want to take the time to re?ect on both the positive and negative aspects of your performance.

The most important thing is that you move on immediately. Because in hockey, a few seconds can change everything. And your ability to control your mental game can completely transform your physical game.

Until next time,
~Coach Kim

Originally published on Total Female Hockey Club.

In 1986 the Canadian Government paid for a large hockey stick (207 feet long to be exact) to be put into place in Vancouver for our world fair, Expo 86. When it was all over, the town of Duncan, BC over on Vancouver Island, won a contest and became the permanent home of the stick.

It's been deemed the "World's Largest Hockey Stick" although there is a city in Minnesota that has the "World's Largest Freestanding Hockey Stick" outside the US Hockey Hall of Fame. This other stick is 110 feet long and weighs over 10,000 pounds.

Some say that Duncan's stick shouldn't count since it's just a "sculpture" and the one in Eleveth, Minnesota is actually a "real stick". No matter the dispute, it's just kind of fun to see hockey commemorated this way.

There are also others, such as Tim Schmalz, who actually think that there should be something more commemorative and permanent for all of Canada to enjoy. He's on a mission to make a 50-foot sculpture in the name of Canadian hockey, giving us all a national monument for the sport.

He started out on the East coast earlier this year and by this time next year he should reach BC. He's crossing the country, sculpting, and adding to the piece bit by bit, while collecting donations from Canadians to keep it going; this way it will be our monument and not something built by a corporate sponsor. By the end he hopes it will reach the goal height and then it will be cast in bronze. It also hasn't been decided where it will be placed, but several cities have already expressed an interest.

Hockey evolved in Canada and to many it's more than simply our national (winter) sport. It's a lifestyle, a community-builder and something to be proud of. Any structure, sculpture, or giant puck (or maybe even net) in honor of this dedication and camaraderie is a good thing in my books.

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I love children's hockey titles. Not only do these books introduce kids to the great sport of hockey, they also, and far more importantly, get kids hooked on reading. I consider it a great duty to pass on information about kid's hockey books because of this.

Reviewing kids hockey books is not easy though, because different stories are better for some kids than others. I really encourage all parents to thoroughly screen each title before buying, as no one knows their kid better.

I completely admit that I can often have trouble reviewing kids books because a) I'm not a kid and b) the kids that came into my life are teenagers, not little ones. There are no shortage of kid's titles to choose from in 2008, but I could never really suggest a book that would be perfect for every kid.

Until now.

I was recently introduced into a series of books called Brady Brady. The kid in me was instantly taken by the cartoonish illustrations and the brilliant use of colour. It is sure to catch anyone's eye. And better yet I was then wowed by the fun story telling complete with strong moral messages. Fun plus a good message is the necessary equation for any kid's title that I am going to endorse, and Brady Brady tops the list!

Aimed at boys and girls ages 4 through 8, Brady Brady is about a boy named Brady and his love of hockey. With his family, his friends, and his dog Hat Trick, Brady Brady goes on all sorts of adventures and learns great lessons on and off the ice.

Each 32-page book makes reading a fun experience, and promotes common themes such as sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play. That is the biggest reason why school boards across Canada and the United States recognize the series and include it in libraries and curriculum.

To top it all off all the books are extremely reasonably priced, with the jacket price at $7 Canadian! All titles are available at Amazon.ca and Chapters. You can also order copies individually or in multiples at www.BradyBrady.com. Of course, the books are available in any of Indigo/Chapters stores, as well as independent book sellers and select sporting goods stores.

The best selling Canadian children's series is written by Mary Shaw, who began writing when she was dismayed with the lack of engaging reading material for her son, Brady. Co-created with illustrator Chuck Temple, the two have created a growing Brady Brady empire, complete with their own publishing company, spinoff deals and, coming soon, animated media projects.

Brady Brady has also been recognized by big league hockey. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets have created customized Brady Brady programs to promote grassroots hockey in their communities. And several stars endorse the books, including Bobby Orr, Steve Yzerman, Scott Stevens, Haley Wickenheiser and Cassie Campbell. USA Hockey has also signed on with a licensing agreement.

Here's a complete listing of Brady Brady books. You can't go wrong with any one title, but you will soon be hooked and looking for more. My personal favorite has to be The Great Rink.

Brady Brady And the Great Rink

When Brady tries to build the greatest backyard rink ever, he finds out it’s harder than he thought. But his hard work is about to pay off in a way he never imagined!

Brady Brady And the Most Important Game

When Brady Brady and the Icehogs lose a big game to a rival team, they think it's the end of the world - until they realize what is really important on the ice.

Brady Brady and The MVP

Brady's friend, Kev, learns that it's not only the goal scorers who are valuable members of a team.

Brady Brady and the B Team

Chester's loyalty to the Icehogs is questioned when he misses games and is overheard talking about joining the B Team.

Brady Brady And the Puck on the Pond

Just when Brady thought he had all of the makings for a fun game of shinny on his great rink, his friends are invited to play on an even greater rink! Friendships are tested - will the Icehogs stay together?

Brady Brady: And the Super Skater

When the newest member of the Icehogs encounters some bad luck, Brady helps his teammate see that it will take more than "super-skating" to improve her game.

Brady Brady And the Runaway Goalie

When the Icehogs’ goalie goes missing before the big game, Brady Brady saves the day!

Brady Brady And the Twirlin' Torpedo

Tes is a great player who loves hockey almost as much as Brady. So, when she is teased for being a girl, Brady and the other Icehogs back her up with a picture-perfect plan!

Brady Brady And the Singing Tree

Brady comes to the rescue when his friend Elwood almost quits hockey because of his dad.

Brady Brady And the Big Mistake

Brady's friends are coming to play shinny, and everything has to be perfect - more than perfect. If only he had something he could impress them with. Then it hits. The great idea the turns out to be a big mistake!

Brady Brady And the Great Exchange

When his friend has growing pains, Brady decides to help, and in the end everyone is a winner.

All hockey titles are also available in French, courtesy of Scholastic Canada.

The Brady Brady franchise has also begun to branch out and tackle football with Brady Brady and the Cranky Kicker, and hit home runs with baseball with Brady Brady and the Ballpark Bark and Brady Brady and the Cleanup Hitters

If you're looking for a fun book with great moral lessons to help you pass on the joys of both sports and reading to your little boy or girl, look no further than the Brady Brady series.

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Originally published November 19, 2008 on on HockeyBookReviews.com

Are you looking for a quality gift for the hockey-loving boy or girl in your life? Look no further!

Just One Goal

by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

Perhaps the world's most prolific children's author has dreamed up an amazing story about a little girl who loves hockey. She builds the community a rink on the frozen river, but her team never wins. She's determined to score her team a victory, even as the thawing rink presents great danger. It does not get better than this - Hockey and Robert Munsch!

This highly acclaimed book from 2006 makes it's paperback debut in 2008. The Hockey Tree is a great story about a father, son and daughter enjoying Canada's great game on a frozen lake. But they run into a problem when their puck falls into an ice fisherman's hole.Have no fear, dad has a plan to keep the hockey going, but he needs the kids to help him find the perfect tree - The Hockey Tree

It's a great story folks, but the illustrations really make this book perfect. Using soft tones illustrator Brian Deines perfectly captures the great Canadian dream of hockey in it's purest form.

The Hockey Tree

by David Ward, Illustrated by Brian Deines

This highly acclaimed book from 2006 makes it's paperback debut in 2008. The Hockey Tree is a great story about a father, son and daughter enjoying Canada's great game on a frozen lake. But they run into a problem when their puck falls into an ice fisherman's hole. Have no fear, dad has a plan to keep the hockey going, but he needs the kids to help him find the perfect tree - The Hockey Tree

It's a great story folks, but the illustrations really make this book perfect. Using soft tones illustrator Brian Deines perfectly captures the great Canadian dream of hockey in it's purest form.

Wendel and The Great One

by Mike Leonetti, Illustrated by Greg Banning

After misfiring in 2007, Mike Leonetti returns in 2008 with his annual children's hockey history title. In Wendel and The Great One he mixes hockey history with the story of a boy who is trying to figure out what it means to be a leader. He turns to his heroes, Wendel Clark and Wayne Gretzky, to discover how to be the best captain he can be.

It's a good book and it teaches great values.

Xtreme Hockey

by Stephen Cole

A flashy and colorful title aimed at 6-12 year olds. Inside this book, which features the thickest pages you'll ever find in a book, is a collection of amazing stories presented in flashy presentation reminiscent of those Ripley's Believe It Or Not titles.

There's some great pictures in here too. It's the kind of book you will enjoy flipping through with your children, especially if you are a trivia buff or passing along that trait to your children.

Peril at the World's Biggest Hockey Tournament

by Roy MacGregor

The long-awaited addition to a series that has sold one million copies.

The Screech Owls have come to Ottawa, the capital of Canada, to play in the world’s biggest minor league hockey tournament — more than 500 teams gathering from all over the world! Little does Nish realize, as he befriends the hilarious, daring mascot, that he is about to embark on the most terrifying adventure of his lifetime.

The Bell Capital Cup is a tournament that brings together 25,000 kids and more than 510 teams. Published to coincide with the next Cup over the 2007/2008 winter holiday, this new Screech Owls book is a grand re-entry for this outstanding series.

Hockey Trivia for Kids 2

by Eric Zweig

A spin off from 2006's Hockey Trivia for Kids, Eric Zweig offers another pocket book packed full of hockey stories, pictures and cartoons. If you have a seriously hockey infatuated youngster on your Christmas list, this book will keep them entertained and educated with fascinating factoids that will make them the hockey expert of their school!

Either of Zweig's juvenile trivia offerings would make for a perfect stocking stuffer.

Hockey Now

by Mike Leonetti

Veteran hockey author Mike Leonetti returns with the fifth edition of the popular Hockey Now! franchise.

A book for all hockey fans with richly illustrated two page biographies of 74 of the greatest players today. Beautiful layout and high quality production.

The fifth edition is fully updated. Profiles include Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jarome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier, Dion Phaneuf, Zdeno Chara, Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur.

Hockey Superstars 2008-2009

by Paul Romanuk

For 20 years now broadcaster Paul Romanuk and Scholastic have been churning out his Hockey Superstars series. It must be a big hit with the kids to have run this long. I know the books drew my attention 20 years ago when the series first started.

Romanuk has not really changed his successful formula. He profiles 15-20 of today's top NHLers with a color photograph and the briefest of biographies. He throws in the same usual interactive pages where you can keep track of the unfolding NHL season or learn the referee's hand signals.

This is a solid choice for someone aged 6 through 10. The books a little thin for a fan much older than that.

Slapshots: The Complete Series: Books #1-4

by Gordon Korman

Gordon Korman is another prolific children's author, penning dozens of books. Wikipedia lists over 60 titles.

One of his most popular series of books is the hockey-themed Slapshots. There are four titles in all, starting with Slapshots #1: The Stars from Mars and progressing through Slapshots #2: All-Mars All-Stars, Slapshots #3: The Face-Off Phoney, and Slapshots #4: Cup Crazy.

Instead of buying all the books individually, you can now buy all the books in one volume: Slapshots: The Complete Series: Books #1-4

The series is hardly breaking new ground. In fact, it is downright formulaic, a la the Bad News Bears. It's about a bunch of misfits put together trying to become a team. Korman does a nice job of creating interesting characters and his passion for hockey shines through brightly.

SpongeBob's Slap Shot

by David Lewman

SpongeBob amazes an ice-hockey scout with his skills while sweeping up the Krusty Krab, and he soon finds himself playing professional hockey! But when he realizes whose team he is playing for, and who he must play against, SpongeBob starts having second thoughts. Does he really have what it takes to be an ice-hockey superstar? Hockey enthusiasts and SpongeBob fans alike will delight in this full-color, sports-themed story, ideal for young readers between the ages of 4 and 8.

Inside Hockey!: The Legends, Facts, and Feats That Made the Game

by Keltie Thomas

Keltie Thomas is an experienced children's author, also authoring How Hockey Works. In this book Thomas introduces lots of hockey history to the newest generation of puck fans. Good job!

The Farm Team

by Linda Bailey

For fifty years the animals on Stolski's farm have played their hearts out for the Stolski Cup -- the dream of every hockey team all over the northland. And every year the Farm Team has lost to the nastiest, smelliest, snarlingest bunch of varmints ever to don skates -- the Bush League Bandits. As soon as the puck drops for this year's playoff game, the Bandits, playing as dirty as ever, take an early lead. A Bandit porcupine named Needles starts ramming Farm Team players, while the weasels slash and spear. But the Farm Team's goalie Big George blocks some tough shots, while Billy the goat and Vera the goose net three goals to tie things up. Then the Bandits bring in a bruiser of a substitute player so big and mean that these plucky underdogs could be in for a serious mauling. From the award-winning team of Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin and packed with on-ice action and laughs, this is the picture book hockey fans of every age have been waiting for.

HockeySticker Stories

by Sean Tiffany

We shoot We score! Hockey Sticker Stories on ice Kids will love learning all about hockey positions, rules, penalties, game food, and other fun hockey facts as they add stickers to every spread.








Originally published September 30, 2008 on on HockeyBookReviews.com

Last October, Canadian Women’s National team goalie, Kim St. Pierre, got that opportunity when she joined the Montreal Canadiens on the ice for practice. And she took it all in stride.

Kim described her experience at practice as being, “Priceless”. A pretty clever play on words, since she not only got to realize her dream of testing her skills against NHL players, but she was also filling in for the Canadiens No. 1 goalie, Carey Price, who missed practice with the flu.

Can you imagine what getting that phone call would be like? First you would think it was a prank call from one of your friends, and if you didn’t hang up the phone immediately, your brain would all of sudden start going a million miles an hour thinking about how fun/hard/scary/amazing that couple hours on the ice would be.

You would hang up the phone, pick it up again and call every single person you know and try to explain to them that an NHL team just drafted you for practice. After spending the next hour trying to convince them that you weren’t lying, you would grab your gear and rush out the door.

At some point on the way to the rink, reality would set in. You would realize that you were going to be spending the next couple of hours having Alexei Kovalev and other NHL superstars fire shots at you and your head. If you are a skater, think about playing the same game, but doubling or tripling the speed and size of the players you were on the ice with. Yikes.

You would be excited, scared, nervous, terrified, and in awe all at the same time. But I can guarantee that you would rise to the challenge.

When awesome opportunities like this arise, you’ve got no time to think - you just react. At some point during the long hockey season, every girls hockey player gets mentally lazy. As you settle into your routine for the season, you might find yourself starting to go through the motions mentally. Your excitement for playing dies just a little bit, until the next big game or tournament comes along, and you get to rise to the challenge again.

When asked about how she felt at this once-in-a-lifetime practice, St. Pierre said, “I wasn’t scared, because I was so into it. I don’t get to practice with the Montreal Canadiens every day.”

You don’t get the chance to practice with NHLers every day, but you need to do everything you can to get as excited as possible for every practice and game you play. Sure, you may be in your dingy local rink at 10pm on a Tuesday night, instead of under the bright lights of the Bell Centre, but both of those practices will give you an amazing opportunity to learn.

Every time you hit the ice, you have to find a way to rise to the challenge on both a physical and mental level. How do you get yourself ready for the biggest game of the season and for the late-night run-of-the-mill team practice? Is your preparation different? Do you think it should be?

~ Coach Kim

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Originally published September 22, 2008 on Total Female Hockey