Original photo by “In the Game” Action Photography
Recently, one of my children participated in some pre-tryout skates through Game Ready Hockey Development. Game Ready Hockey Development was founded by Jake Grimes, current Assistant Coach of the Peterborough Petes in the OHL, and supported by several other skilled coaches, including Chris Longo, who had a long career in the AHL, ICL and ECHL.
I thought it worthwhile to share the email they shared following the final skate as it’s filled with positive messages and some simple yet helpful tips for tryouts. This is what they sent.
Chris and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing us to help prepare you for your respective tryouts and wish you all good luck!
You should feel sharp and ready and a sense of confidence going into your training camps knowing you have committed to preparing yourself.
If I have some pieces of advice…
-relax
-listen well
-get to the front of the lines
-spend yourself to win races and battles all over the ice
-make passes when it is the right thing to do
-realize that you have prepared well for your tryouts to there is no reason to feel over nervous…feeling over nervous usually doesn’t help us be the best we can be
-have fun…yes you can have fun in tryouts…the better mood you are in the better you will play and the more confidence you will play with.
Jake
Tryouts can be an excessively stressful time for players (and their families!). Promoting positive messages, and yes, fun, could make it more manageable for all.
What is your advice for players during tryouts? Comments or questions? Email contactus@canadianhockeymoms.ca or leave a message on our Facebook page.