While I was playing competitive ice hockey, I lacked awareness about the mental side of sports. My definition of sport success relied entirely on training only the physical elements needed to play, without any thought or time dedicated to working on my mental game. When I finished my playing career and began coaching youth ice hockey, I quickly learned that only teaching physical practice was limiting my athletes potential for high performance, both in and out of their sport.

 

Now, I believe that leading athletes to success in sport requires more than skills and drills, extra practice, and conditioning in the off-season. I want my coaching to include education and training for mental performance, and for this piece to be viewed as important as physical practice.