Posts in category Hockey

Phoenix Coyotes Moving?

May28
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Steve

 

This has been in the news for quite awhile. Are the Coyotes moving from Phoenix, are they staying put? The other day, I was approached by some folks at lunch that asked – what is my opinion on the subject. Not to be short on any opinion about hockey,  so I gave my dollars worth of thoughts.

 On staying or going: I really will be disappointed if we lose the Coyotes. I truly understand if it happens. Business is just that business. There is no way that any team can continue to survive when you lose money every season.

 On some of the shortcomings that will likely lead to leaving (or maybe some thoughts on how to improve if the stay put). This economy is definitely going to have some impact, that is a fact that is not going away anytime soon. So, how do you do better.

  1. First, the Coyotes really need to market their product! Since they have come to Phoenix, the ownership has changed hands. The team has done little to drive up fan base. The players are largely unknown. If you are going to market the team and its players – then do it. Don’t just put up billboards, some fancy slogan commercials or update the website. Get out and be with the consumer! Not just go to the rinks and interact with the youth hockey players – you already have them. Get out and market this great game.
  2. Put a winner on the ice! Frankly, Phoenix is a bandwagon area, if you are winning the fans will come. You do not need to go far to see that when the Suns were winning the stands were full, struggle and empty seats start to show. The Dbacks win the World Series and they break attendance records, watching them on TV today – is like watching 10 rows of fans in each section. Now, let’s talk Cardinals football – a few years back every game was a home game for the visiting team. The past two years things are turning around on the winning side and the fans are coming out for the Cardinals. Another reason for strong support – they only play 10 home games, including pre-season (and if they are in the playoffs – maybe one or two more).  You can not keep building on a slow pace, the average Phoenix fan will not wait. I don’t think you can afford to wait for them to pay you.
  3. Convince Wayne Gretzky to decide if he is an owner, managing partner, front man for the Coyotes or the coach. Too many hats just do not work. Stretch anyone that thin and the focus on all of the roles just gets peanut buttered across.
  4. Teach the game.. Get coaches and players out and really teach the potential spectators what to know, how to watch the game, some potential strategy, situations – anything to get the fans to really see why this game is great.

 

To the league… 

  1. Make changes in the length of the season. Right now the regular season is too long (hey, I like as many games as possible) but you are competing for limited funds. A season as long as basketball is too much. Less regular season… Finish up your playoffs during the break between March madness and NBA playoffs.
  2. Commissioner – come out from underneath the rock and realize that this great game needs some help. To keep saying that everything is good, there are some struggles but all is fine. That is way old, there needs to be some definite help. Either step up or get out of the way.

 

I  have played hockey in my youth and as an adult, refereed for a few years and coached youth sports for quite a bit – there is no better sport.

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True Team Players

May07
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Steve

The other day I was lucky enough to caught up with a few of my old hockey players I coached in high school. They are all out of college now, so I felt pretty old. We were talking about the year, in their minds, was the best season in the four years that they played for me. If you are looking for the year that they won the state title, that is not it. This team only made it to the semi-finals and lost to the state champions. I had to ask, “why that year?” Their response was simple. We were a true team.

They shared their stories about the season. How, they grown as young men and finally figured out what it meant to be on a team. They shared stories of the locker room, the times the coaches were in the hallway preparing for the game. If you ever wondered what goes on in there, don’t. High school teenage boys and the locker room, should just be left to your imagination. It was a very good 30 minutes before I asked them, “who do you think was the most valuable team mate?” The answer shocked me. I would have guessed the leading scorer or maybe the captain of the team. Nope, not even close.

The person that they felt was the backbone of the team, was just one of the guys. I went back to my old stats (amazing what not throwing anything out can do). His stat line was 3 goals, 6 assists and 24 penalty minutes (in 22 games). Not who I would have expected those players to pick.

Why did they think he was the MVP? As the coach I know why. He is and was a coaches dream player. He is the one that will do whatever it takes for the team. He was a pretty good skater, had an average shot, but he would do the things that don’t show up on the stats sheet. He would play against some of the better players from the other team to shut down them. He would be a physical presence on the ice. There were many times he would hurt himself (black and blue bruises were common).

To have a successful team (in sports or at work), you must have team members who are willing to sacrifice individual recognition for the good of the team. I started to wonder, if I asked the team at the end of the season, who was the MVP would I get the same answer. I think not. I think those players now understand this concept better, since they have some experiences in life and at work.

Does your team having any of those unheralded, unnoticed folks that are willing to do the dirty work, without getting the recognition for it?

Any stories come to your mind?

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Hockey Playoffs Set – Your Prediction?

Apr13
2009 1 Comment Written by Steve

The second season is just about ready to start! Now, the right fun begins!

Eastern Conference First Round:

  • Boston v. Montreal: Tough call, loyalty v. what is the right pick. So, I am going with the Bruins. If the Havs win I will be happier. Boston is too tough.
  • Washington v. New York Rangers: Time for an upset pick – I’m going with the Rangers!
  • New Jersey v. Carolina: Have to give the nod to the Devils.
  • Pittsburgh v. Philly: Toss up, but I am going with the Penguins.

Western Conference First Round:

  • San Jose v. Anaheim: Sharks have looked good all season, very dangerous match up. I am going with the Sharks.
  • Detriot v. Columbus: Hockey town in a sweep.
  • Vancouver v. St. Louis: Looking at this one as a good series, but the Canucks should win.
  • Chicago v. Calgary: Another 4/5 series that is a toss up. I like the Chicago feel good story. Have to go with the Blackhawks in a 7 gamer.

Round 2 and semi-finals – Eastern Conference

  • Boston v. NY Rangers – got to go with NY Rangers. My heart winning out!
  • NJ Devils v. Pittsburgh – Devils should win this one. Defense is too tough.
  • Devils v. Rangers – Winner of the Eastern Conference will be the NJ Devils.

Round 2 and semi-finals – Western Conference

  • San Jose v. Chicago – staying with the favorite – Sharks!
  • Detriot v. Vancouver – again staying with the favorite – Red Wings.
  • Sharks v. Red Wings – now this is the match up that most want to see. The number 1 and 2 teams going at it. I have to give the Sharks a slight edge.

Finals:

  • New Jersey v. San Jose – definitely an interesting match up. I predict the Devils winning in 6 games.

Your thoughts?

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Hockey 2008/09 Season Closes

Apr02
2009 2 Comments Written by Steve

This season was somewhat of a difficult season for me. Last January, I had my left hip totally replaced. My doctor made it clear to me that I should stay off the ice for awhile. Sitting from a far was painful, extremely painful (but the hip is fine).

My reflections on the year:

  • I turned the program over to one of my assistants and he did a good job.
  • Playing Booster Club President is not a position cut out for me.
  • After so many years of coaching, sitting in the stands as a spectator is not the life for me. When I did yell out stuff the players recognized the voice and looked up in the stands. Even the goalie!
  • The team played well, when I did show up. I went to 3 games (they only saw me one time) and they won all 3 games. I was as proud as if I was involved. Some of those players, I have coached for 3 years.
  • The overall record of the team was 10-12. Success is measured in different ways. Could the team have won more games – sure. Did they have an overall successful season – I think so. There is always room for improvement. What I saw most of all, was that some of the younger players developed – and to me that is what it is all about.

The most difficult thing for me now is what am I going to do next season. There is no way, I can sit on the sidelines and be passive. There is no way, that I can take the ice and skate with the team all out. I have to decide what am I going to do – and how can I be involved. Really involved.

Most people never truly get to understand how much you can miss something – till it is taken away. For me, I now know.  The good thing is I have all summer to figure it out, talk it over with the family and spend sometime with the high school league officials.

Look for a Hockey post in the June/July timeframe…

Welcome to Spin-O-Rama

Mar24
2009 Leave a Comment Written by Steve

After many years of publishing an internal corporate blog, I thought it was time to branch out and take a risk. So, here I am.

This blog will be a place for me to share my opinions, my thoughts and my experiences in the areas of leadership, leading teams and hockey. What makes me a novice or expert in these subjects? I have over 27 years of experience working in the corporate world managing and leading. I have had a passion for these subjects and have done well for myself. I want to offer my insights, learnings, failures and successes to help others that are leading today.

Why hockey? I am a sports nut. I grew up in upstate New York and played many sports. Hockey was always the one that I filled my time with. Moving to Arizona, I figured that I would only be watching hockey on TV. Luck would have it there are many rinks now in the Phoenix metro area. My son at age 5 wanted to play and I was fired up again. He played for well over 15 years, of which I coached many of them. My last 7 years has been coaching high school ice hockey in Arizona.

I believe that many of the experiences I have had in coaching sports (hockey for my son, softball for my daughter) applies to leading teams. With coaching both softball and hockey – I got plenty of experience in diversity of coaching men and women in sports. Motivation, teaching techniques and just interaction are different and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Over the coming weeks, the website will be getting a make-over, fine tuning or whatever you want to call it. I am learning how to do this as I go! So, please be patient. I will get better at the website stuff. Already know I have a few issues to work out!

The content in the blog post will be from my heart, experience and learnings. That is the real stuff.If you have any ideas, please share them.

I am looking forward to sharing and learning with you all.

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