Embedding a Work Ethic
Beyond Getting My Bell Rung: A Career-Ending Concussion
Concussion in youth sports is an issue that hits close to my heart—for my own children and my campers—as I suffered a concussion that ended my NHL career. As many of you know, my road to the NHL was bumpy at best. During the first 10 years of my pro career, I got a few call-ups with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. When I finally made the Penguins as a regular on the roster with a multi-year contract, I was having the time of my life playing on the power play and even the first line with Jaromir Jagr.
Balancing Hockey & Family Life
With any family it’s a challenge to find balance while engrossed in work, homework, activities and personal lives. Toss in hockey and it can be a true juggling match. One family found a way to bring harmony to their hectic family lives—ironically, through hockey.
Failing in School vs. Playing Sports: A Dilemma for Parents
Should poor grades keep a youngster from playing sports? There is no simple answer to this question, but parents need to consider two varying perspectives.
The Turning Point for a “Yeller”
12 Tips for Successful Sport Parenting
Parents play a huge role in determining whether youth sports are a positive or negative experience for their kids. Although there is no set formula for success, there are some important guidelines for all parents to keep in mind.
12 Tips for Successful Sport Parenting
Parents play a huge role in determining whether youth sports are a positive or negative experience for their kids. Although there is no set formula for success, there are some important guidelines for all parents to keep in mind.
Mouthguard Cleaning
Q. My son just tosses his mouthguard into a front pocket of his bag, which is cleaner than the rest of his bag but still not pristine. My wife says we need to keep it in a baggie or box, but given how many kids pick them up off the floor and put them back in their mouths, I say don’t worry about it. A. Hockey players do tend to act as if cleanliness is next to sissiness (ever heard one brag about how bad his bag smells?). But worrying about the cleanliness of your child’s mouthguard is far from being overprotective. To prevent illnesses that range from minor mouth infections to serious conditions such as meningitis, the mouthguard should be cleaned daily and stored in a container with airflow. (The Cleanguard Ultraviolet Mouthguard Sanitizer shown here eliminates bacteria in 10 minutes.) We recently heard from a parent who spent $61 for a doctor visit and prescription copay to cure a mouth yeast infection that might have been prevented with a mouthguard that starts, and stays, clean. The time, money and hassle might have been saved for the low cost of $10-$20.
Should We Switch Hockey Associations?
Every year you see—and can’t help but hear—parents who think their player is not being treated fairly. He’s not getting a fair look at tryouts. She’s not getting enough ice time. The association is too political. You know the drill. Whatever the issues, many families start to think about switching hockey associations. And some even switch associations in the middle of tryouts, deposits be darned. But is the grass always greener once you make the switch? We asked an experienced hockey director for his take on the situation.
I Hate Sports, Now What?
Not all kids like sports. Don’t be surprised or concerned. I strongly support that all kids should participate in some type of exercise program for their physical fitness and health, whether it be a group sport such as football, baseball, basketball, hockey or soccer or an individual one, like walking, running, dance, gymnastics, swimming, or martial arts. It can be just for fun or more for competition.
