Game that ended 41-0 didn’t reflect ‘hockey for life’ pathway

Re: When is enough, enough? — Oct. 30

Have you ever seen that infectious smile that stretches from ear to ear in anticipation of being part of something you love? It’s the smile a player has when they pull their city’s jersey over their head for the first time.

It’s the smile that you have when you see your teammates on the ice for the fifth time that week. It’s the smile a parent gets when your child looks up to see their cheering squad in the stands. When you are eight, being part of a team isn’t about the score, it’s about learning to play the game.

Hockey Canada’s long-term player development model involves nine stages that focus on physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development of children. Under this model, an eight-year-old on a novice team would develop physical literacy that focuses on motor skills and co-ordination, fitness and the required skills to play hockey. It isn’t until the age of 16 that Hockey Canada expects players to “train to compete.”

Does a game that ends in a score of 41-0 follow the “hockey for life” player development pathway? No. Regardless of the outcome of this game, the outstanding volunteer coaches of the Cambridge Hawks Red continue to do a great job of focusing on long-term player development. Because of this dedication, team spirit is strong. Before you look at the score of the next game, stop to notice the infectious smiles of our determined players.

Stewart Loker

Cambridge