Keeping it fun is one key to success
Tom Handfield has been coaching hockey in the West Island for nearly a decade. This year he is guiding the Lac St-Louis peewee Selects, which include his twin daughters. When did you start coaching?
Handfield: I started coaching my oldest son, who is now in midget. Now, I’m coaching a peewee girls’ team that includes my twin daughters, Nicole and Madison.
Any difference between coaching girls and boys?
Handfield: Girls are easier to coach because they listen more. The group I have this year is really easy. Last year was a little tougher; I was with the peewee Selects as an assistant coach to Mike McGrath. We had some girls who created cliques, and not having (assistant coach) Alexandra Robertson in the room meant we had no women in the dressing room, which is an issue.
Does having a female coach in the dressing room help that much?
Handfield: Oh yeah. I was so happy when Alexandra stepped up. She warms them up before games and then goes in the room with them to make sure they’re prepared.
Last year, we couldn’t go in the room, all kinds of stuff would happen. With Alexandra is in the room, none of that hap-
pens. The player chemistry on the team this year is as good as it could be.
Why is there such a shortage in female hockey coaches?
Handfield: I’m not sure. There are so many female hockey players who played at Concordia or McGill, you’d think they come out to coach actually.
Where did you play your minor hockey?
Handfield: I’m from Dollard. I moved to Kirkland about three years ago. But most of my playing and coaching was in Dollard.
Do you notice a big difference between Lakeshore and Dollard minor hockey?
Handfield: Generally, it’s the same. Dollard gets its ice really cheap. They seem to have more money in the organization over there, where they have
an equipment room for goalie equipment, coaches jackets and pucks and all that. You don’t find that in Lakeshore because the ice is so expensive. … In Dollard it’s $160 to join because the ice is so cheap. Everywhere else it’s pretty well $400.
How is your season going so far?
Handfield: Great. Last year, we won only two games all season. We’ve already matched that. (Laughs.) In our first three games, we have two wins and a tie
Why were the Lac St-Louis peewee teams so uneven last year?
Handfield: I think it was the way they separated the two teams. This year it goes by where you live, which makes more sense and there are less arguments. It’s based on where you come from.
Did you like coaching with McGrath last year?
Handfield: I learned a lot from Mike last year. He knows so many drills off the top of his head and he knows how to run a practice.
What is your coaching philosophy?
Handfield: Keep it fun and make sure every player knows they are important to the team’s success. Always have a positive attitude and get them to play with heart and determination.