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April 26
by Jeff Lynt
As the selection process for the upcoming hockey season begins, coaches and scouts face a difficult task. While the lure of big scorers and flashy players can be tempting, it is essential to remember that a player's character is just as important as their on-ice abilities. Most of these players demonstrate positive attributes such as humility, teamwork, and leadership that can be invaluable assets to their team. On the other hand, some of these players don't and they exhibit negative traits such as arrogance, poor sportsmanship, and selfishness that can be a cancer in the locker room, damaging team dynamics and negatively impacting performance. With the stakes high and the pressure on, it is crucial that coaches and scouts choose wisely when building their team, prioritizing character as well as skill in their selection process. One bad apple can spoil the batch, so the selections are critical for a successful year. If a coach doesn't do their homework and one of these poor character kids makes it on their squad it may be too late to deal with by the time all the symptoms show, and the damage is done.
The Team Player
Hockey is a team sport, and the success of a team relies on each player's ability to work together towards a common goal. While individual talent and skill are certainly important, it's the players who put the team first, ahead of their own personal glory, who truly make a difference on the ice.
These selfless players are often referred to as "team players". They understand that winning is a team effort, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to the success of the team. This means putting the needs of the team above their own individual needs, whether that means sacrificing personal statistics or taking on a role that may not be glamorous but is essential to the team's success.
In the photo above is one great example of a team player in the NHL, it is Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins. Bergeron is known for his selflessness and dedication to his team. He has won four Selke Trophies (awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL) and has been nominated for the award nine times. Despite his individual success, he always puts the team first. As he once said, "At the end of the day, it's all about winning as a team. That's what matters."
Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is another example of a team player. Crosby is a two-time Hart Trophy winner (awarded to the most valuable player in the NHL) and a three-time Stanley Cup champion. He is known for his work ethic and his commitment to his team. Crosby once said, "You want to be a part of a team that wins, and that's what drives you. It's not about individual success, it's about being a part of something bigger than yourself."
These players are just a few examples of the many team players in the NHL. They understand that individual success is fleeting, but the success of the team can last a lifetime. As Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Black Hawks once said, "There's no better feeling than winning as a team, and that's what we play for." By emphasizing the importance of teamwork and encouraging a team-first mentality, coaches and team leaders can build a winning culture that celebrates the achievements of the team as a whole, rather than individual players.
The Keys to Being a Team Player
In addition to talent and skill, coaches look for players who are unselfish, hardworking, and committed to the success of the team. These players are often referred to as "team players," and they can be instrumental in building a winning culture. Good coaches will prioritize players with these qualities, even if they may not be the most skilled or flashy players on the ice. By building a team of character players who are dedicated to the success of the team, coaches can create a winning culture that is built on trust, teamwork, and mutual respect.
When looking for players with strong team-first mentalities, good coaches are on the lookout for these attributes that are indicative of a player's commitment to the team's success. These 4 attributes are very important:
Unselfish play: Players who are willing to make sacrifices for the success of the team, such as passing the puck instead of taking a shot, are highly valued by coaches and scouts. TEAM FIRST!
Hard work: Players who are willing to put in the time and effort to improve their game and help the team are highly valued. This may include players who are committed to their training regimen, as well as those who are willing to work hard on the ice.
Positive attitude: Players who maintain a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity, are highly valued by coaches and scouts. This may include players who are supportive of their teammates, and who are willing to encourage and motivate others to succeed.
Leadership: Players who are natural leaders and who are willing to take charge on and off the ice are highly valued by coaches and scouts. This may include players who are vocal and assertive, as well as those who lead by example through their actions.
Overall, good coaches are on the lookout for players who are committed to the success of the team, and who are willing to put in the effort to help the team achieve its goals. By prioritizing these attributes, coaches can build a winning team culture that celebrates the achievements of the team as a whole.
Selfish 'Prima Donnas' or 'Big Timers'
On the contrary to 'team players', there are players who are more concerned about their individual statistics and personal glory than they are about the success of the team. These players are often referred to as "big timers", "prima donnas" or "glory hounds" and their attitude can be detrimental to the dynamics and culture of the team. They may be talented players, but their focus on their own success can create tension and division within the team.
Players who think they are "big time" always seek the spotlight and crave recognition for their individual accomplishments can be harmful to team dynamics and may negatively impact team performance. Such players may exhibit some of the following negative attributes:
Selfish play and self-centredness: Players who are primarily focused on their own individual statistics and personal success, rather than the success of the team, can be harmful to team dynamics and may negatively impact team performance.
Arrogance: Players who are overly confident in their own abilities and dismissive of the contributions of their teammates. Players who consistently maintain a negative attitude and are critical of their teammates can create a toxic team culture that undermines trust, motivation, and performance.
Lack of effort: Players who coast on their natural talent and fail to put in the work required to improve their game and contribute to the team's success. These players won't go into the dirty areas and fight for the puck. They wait for the puck to come to them in the sweet scoring areas.
Self-promotion: Players who constantly promote themselves and their individual achievements over the success of the team as a whole.
Ego-driven behavior: Players who are overly concerned with their own reputation and image, and who prioritize personal accolades over the team's success.
Lack of humility: Players who are unable or unwilling to acknowledge their mistakes or weaknesses, and who refuse to take responsibility for their own shortcomings.
Divisive behavior: Players who create divisions within the team by singling out certain individuals for praise or criticism, or by creating a culture of favoritism or cliques.
Poor sportsmanship: Players who are poor sports and who may become disruptive or even abusive if they feel they are not receiving enough recognition or attention.
Overall, players who exhibit these "big time" attributes always seek the spotlight and crave individual recognition can be harmful to team dynamics and may negatively impact team performance. Coaches and scouts should be aware of these negative attributes and work to build a team culture that prioritizes positive attributes like unselfishness, hard work, positive attitude, and leadership. By promoting a team-first mentality, coaches and scouts can help to create a strong, cohesive team that is capable of achieving success both on and off the ice.
How to Root Them Out
It's important to root out this poor mentality and cultivate a team-first mentality instead. As Bergeron once said, "It's not about the individual, it's about the team." Coaches and team leaders can encourage this mentality by rewarding players for their contributions to the team, whether that's a hardworking defensive play or an unselfish pass that leads to a goal. By recognizing and valuing these contributions, players will be more likely to adopt a team-first mentality.
Ultimately, rooting out poor character players can be a challenge, but there are additional steps coaches can take to identify and avoid players who may be a bad fit for the team. One approach is to conduct background checks on potential players, including speaking with former coaches, teammates, and other contacts who may have insights into their character and behavior. This can provide valuable information about a player's work ethic, attitude, and overall demeanor, helping coaches to identify potential red flags early on.
Additionally, coaches can observe a player's behavior during tryouts and practices, paying attention to how they interact with their teammates and how they respond to instruction and criticism. Players who consistently exhibit negative behaviors, such as complaining, blaming others, or acting in a self-centered manner, should be approached with caution.
Some Things Can't Be Fixed
The offensive production can be tempting for coaches to believe that they can "fix" a player with poor character or bad habits, but it's essential to recognize the amount of effort and resources that may be required to effect lasting change. Addressing character issues can be a long and difficult process, and it may not always be successful.
Good coaches know from the beginning and going into the season, they are aware that focusing too much on one player's character issues can take valuable time and attention away from the rest of the team. In some cases, it may be more effective to prioritize players who already exhibit positive character traits and are committed to the team's success.
Ultimately, coaches must be realistic about their ability to impact players' characters and recognize when it may be necessary to move on from a player who is not a good fit for the team. This can be a difficult decision, but it is essential to maintain team dynamics and prioritize the success of the team as a whole.
In addition to being better for the team, a team-first mentality can also benefit individual players in the long run. As Crosby once said, "The ultimate goal is to win, and if you can contribute to that, then everything else will take care of itself." By focusing on the success of the team, players can build a reputation as reliable and dedicated teammates, which can open up opportunities for future success.
Studies
There have been several studies that have highlighted the importance of team-first mentalities in successful hockey teams. For example, a study published in the International Journal of Sport Psychology found that team cohesion, or the degree to which players work together as a unit, is a critical factor in team success in hockey. Another study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that individual player performance was positively related to team performance, but only when players demonstrated a team-first mentality and prioritized the success of the team over their individual statistics.
Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that successful hockey teams were characterized by high levels of communication and cooperation among players, and a shared commitment to the success of the team. These findings suggest that cultivating a team-first mentality is essential to success in hockey, and that coaches and team leaders should prioritize building strong team cohesion and a shared commitment to the team's success.
Overall, these studies demonstrate that team-first mentalities are critical to success in hockey, and that coaches and team leaders should prioritize building a culture that celebrates the achievements of the team as a whole. By valuing unselfish play, hard work, and commitment to the team's success, coaches and team leaders can build a winning culture that is built on trust, teamwork, and mutual respect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a team player is essential to success in hockey. While individual talent and skill are certainly important, it's the players who put the needs of the team first who truly make a difference on the ice. By rooting out the "big timer" mentality during the selection process might be the most important decision all season. One bad apple can spoil the bunch!
By cultivating a team-first mentality, coaches and team leaders can build a winning culture that celebrates the achievements of the team as a whole. And by embracing this mentality, individual players can build a reputation as reliable and dedicated teammates, which can open up opportunities for future success.
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Jeff Lynt
Is a Head Scout with Elite Hockey Canada. He is a certified hockey scout with SMWW - Sports Management Worldwide. jeff.lynt@elitehockeycanada.com or jlynt@smww.com
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