I Remember What It’s Like to Be the New Player on the Ice
I Remember What It’s Like to Be the New Player on the Ice
I Remember What It’s Like to Be the New Player on the Ice
I didn’t grow up on skates. ⛸️I started playing ice hockey 🏒 at 17 — long after most players had been skating for years. I was determined to catch up, so I left home and moved to a preparatory boarding school, Shattuck St. Mary’s, to train alongside elite players and professional-level coaches.
It was one of the hardest years of my life. 💥Every day, I was surrounded by players younger than me who were faster, stronger, and more skilled. I was learning the basics — skating, stickhandling, shooting — while also trying to understand the strategy of the game at a high level. I remember feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and driven all at once.
That experience shaped me. It gave me a deep empathy for every player who’s ever felt “behind” or unsure where to start. I know what it’s like to want to improve quickly — to chase that feeling of finally keeping up — and I also know that real progress comes from a balanced approach. ⚖️
It’s not just about skating faster or shooting harder. Those are important, but they only take you so far. To truly grow as a player, you need to develop both your physical skillsand your mental game 🧠— understanding positioning, anticipation, and confidence under pressure. Because being able to keep up on the ice doesn’t help much if you’re always out of position or unsure where to go next. 🫤
Now, after playing professionally and coaching players of every level, I focus on helping others accelerate 🏃➡️ their development the right way — with patience, purpose, and perspective. Whether you’re a beginner adult learning the game for the first time or a parent helping your child take their next steps, I’ve been there — and I can help you or your player find success and joy in the journey.
Beyond Skating, Shooting, and Strength:
The Missing Pieces of Hockey Development
Beyond Skating, Shooting, and Strength:
The Missing Pieces of Hockey Development
When most players start out, they focus on what the physical "tools" that you can see — skating faster, shooting harder, and passing better. Those skills are important, but they’re only half the game.
The other half is what happens in your mind. 🧠
Hockey IQ and mindset skills allow players to use the physical "tools" to make in-game decisions that can be used to create scoring opportunities, defend against opponents, and control the puck in all areas of the ice. These mental "tools" are what turn you from someone who just reacts 😮into someone who reads the game 🤓 and makes great decisions. It’s what helps you feel calm when the puck is on your stick, confident when you make mistakes, and ready for whatever happens next.
The earlier you start developing these skills, the faster everything else comes together. You’ll learn how to think the game, not just play it — and that’s when hockey starts to feel fun, natural, and exciting.
That’s where my coaching focuses — building smart, confident players who understand why things happen on the ice, not just how to do them.
Hockey Is More Than a Game — It’s a Mindset
Every great hockey player eventually realizes that the game isn’t just physical — it’s mental.
The same focus, resilience, and confidence that make you better on the ice are the same traits that help you succeed in life.
If you’re ready to go deeper — to work on the mindset, habits, and motivation that drive your growth as both a player and a person — visit my other site, Lifelete Training.
That’s where I help athletes and everyday people develop the 5 C’s of being a Lifelete — the foundation of long-term success in sports and in life:
🏒 Confidence – Building belief in your abilities, no matter the challenge
🏒 Composure – Staying calm, focused, and adaptable under pressure
🏒 Commitment – Doing the daily work that leads to real progress
🏒 Character – Leading with integrity, respect, and humility
🏒 Connection – Strengthening relationships with teammates, coaches, and yourself
If you want to elevate more than just your game — if you want to build the mindset of a Lifelete — this is your next step.