Who really is number one?

Who really is number one? Is it the stars in the NHL? Is it the players in your local select team, or is it even someone who plays on the house team? Well, I’ve been around a long time, and have seen a lot as a coach, player, and parent. I’ll tell you who is number one. You are! Why are you in this sport, or any sport? Hopefully it is because you want to. If you’ve been playing for a while you know that someone has been taking you to practice, and all those games. That someone thinks you’re pretty special. Teams come and go, as do coaches, and players. You’ll be with yourself for your whole life, so take care of yourself. What you put into any endeavor will usually determine what you get out. Is any other player out there more important to you or your family than you (or your siblings)? I doubt it. Your life on the ice and off is pretty important. I talk a lot about teamwork because it is a very important lesson to learn on the ice and off, but never forget that this is your life, and you need to realize that you’re someone very special, as is everyone else on the team and off. You should remember this and treat everyone around you the same way you’d like to be treated. Your future is most important to you. It may involve the sport you’re playing now, or it may involve something you don’t even expect. The two most important things I can give you, as advice is this: “Take care of your body and your mind.” In other words, get as much as you can out of your time as a student. Get a good education. It becomes very important in your life. The second is take care of your body. You need to keep active and fit. You also need to steer clear of anything that will harm you such as drugs, and reckless situations that put you in harm’s way. Don’t do anything stupid. It’s your life. As far as I know we only get one, so use your head and take care of yourself. In hockey you learn that practice builds confidence. Confidence and self-esteem are very important. You can’t really fake this very well, but you can learn how to build it. Don’t let anyone give you the impression that you’re not important. People who do this usually have their own issues to deal with. Whether you play hockey or lacrosse or any other sport, you’re probably pretty lucky to have this opportunity. As a coach I know that everyone on the team is pretty special. I also know that if everyone works together we can do great things. Think how lucky I am to have had so many important people on the teams over the years. You may be number one, but we’re still going to play like a team.