There are a decent number of my articles that will showcase every season. Why? Because there are new players and families that filter into the site every year. Today’s article is one of those days.
This is my version of the Ten Commandments of Junior Hockey. Hopefully most of you are going to like what is seen.
1- Hockey is the #1 Sport. Don’t take part in any other sport that puts the ability to play hockey at risk.
2- No single person or entity is larger than the game. Even Wayne Gretzky, at the peak of his game, was not more important than the game itself.
3- Respect the game. If we all love the game so much, why do so many do whatever it takes to get around the rules?
4- Respect Game Day. Every ounce of energy should be left on the ice. Give it 100% on every shift, every game, and every season.
5- Respect the history of the game. There are a lot of great people that broke the ground for the game of hockey. We need to all know the history of the sport before trying to write some of our own.
6- Attempting to inflict Injury should result in an expulsion from the game. Outside of mutual combat fighting, any player that intentionally attempts to cause an injury to another should be banned from the sport.
7- Don’t tamper with another team’s players. This is a little nasty problem that a lot of teams make a habit of doing.
8- Don’t steal players. Easy enough, if you want a player on another team’s roster, make a trade offer. If you do something just because you can, it does not necessarily make it right.
9- Be Honest. Lies are terribly difficult to keep up with, so it is easier to just not bother with it. Be honest about yourself, your accomplishments, and your game. Nothing is worse than hearing from a player how good he is, than have to witness a gong show on the ice.
10- Stick with the team. The best way to destroy a team is by playing with the pieces. Junior hockey is about development and this is a season long process.
Stephen Heisler 