Vol 3_No 1 Guts.indd - Rubber Magazine

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Interview from Page 22
will have a lasting impact for
some time. It’s my understanding
that several of those players have
joined Valley programs and attempts
are being made to continue
with the program using the
Tucson Convention Center.
It’s my goal that we, as a board,
learn from it and do our best to
assist in building a new program
and ensure that it doesn’t happen
again.
I’ve also been concerned with
the declining registration numbers
in Flagstaff because they have a
great facility and a growing population
base.
It should be a priority of the
AAHA to reach out and do whatever
is possible
to help them; we do not want to see
another facility close.
CHALK TALK:
Many coaches like
to debate on what
type of practice best
suits a hockey player’s
development.
Some want to have
ice sessions that are
solely based on basic
skill work and skating,
while others will argue
that small area games
are the key to rapid improvement.
I think it’s nice to
have a nice mix of both,
but I feel there’s something
even more critical
to player’s development.
Most of us fail to recognize
that the biggest
determining factor in
progress in any athlete
may be what goes on
in their heads out on
the ice. I’m convinced a
AZR: What’s your assessment of
the talent level across the state?
RVF: I’ve seen a tremendous increase
in the upper levels of skill
development over the past few
years and a large part of that can
be attributed to the strong Coaches
Education Program that we are
lucky to have here thanks to Jim
Rogers and Larry Gibson, who have
done a fantastic job.
We’ve recently had a couple
of teams reach the fi nals of the
national championships and even
had a bantam team win a national
championship (the VOSHA Mustangs
in 2005). Not bad for a bunch
of desert dwellers. Another
judge is the number of players
- both male and female - who have
progressed to the national camps.
AZR: It appears that the different
associations are working closer
together for the betterment of the
Fun a key element to development
young athlete
needs to want
to get better
and needs to be
willing to make
the commitment
necessary for
progress.
It’s human
nature to participate
more
passionately in activities
that you have fun doing.
I’m sometimes surprised
during practices at the
rink the lack of emotion
some players exhibit and
the absence of noise and
smiles out on the ice. We
need to make sure these
kids are having fun and
enjoying the work in trying
to get better.
The lack of ice available
for non-structured
De Angelis
“shinny” games
and open ice
may play role
into this equation.Sometimes
players
just need to get
out on the ice
and improvise.
It doesn’t
matter how
good the coach is or
how great his drills are.
Hockey players need to
be mentally challenged
and properly motivated
in order to reach their
potential.
Many experts say
athletic performance is
90 percent mental and
10 percent physical - and
hockey is no exception.
I’m convinced that positive
emotional and men-
game.
RVF: Yes, we have come a long
way on that front during the past
few years. All of the associations
are doing a much better job of participating
and the results are clear.
Jon Brooks, the president of the
AAHA, should also be given a lot of
credit for seeing us through those
diffi cult times. The future does
look bright, but there is still work
to be done.
AZR: Long-term, what’s most important
to you in terms of growing
the game?
RVF: A lot of people talk about
growth which obviously is a good
thing in the long run, but I think it
needs to be controlled growth. It’s
also important that our coaches
continue to develop and that the
various programs keep the focus on
skill development at a reasonable
cost for all. ❂
tal fi tness of a player can
trigger rapid development
in their skill base.
In the end, players
having fun and enjoying
their hockey experience
will develop quicker
than others who loath
having to go to practice.
Let’s make sure that
the pure enjoyment of
playing the game still
remains the No. 1 priority.
The challenge for us
coaches is to make sure
it happens on a daily
basis. ❂
Mike De Angelis is
CAHA’s director of youth
hockey and the head
coach at Arizona State
University