Scientific knowledge indicates that the greatest window of opportunity for the development of physical skills exists between the ages of 6 and 13 years old.  It is vital that during these ages young players are physically active, mentally stimulated and having fun during youth practices.

I am asked the question “What are the scouts really looking for?” fairly often not only by high school players, but also high school coaches and even youth coaches.  “Scouts” can include high school coaches looking at bantam players and the myriad of scouts and coaches watching high school players (Triple A Midget, several Jr. A leagues, the Elite League, USA Hockey, DIII colleges, DI colleges, NHL).

When next season means another sport, and not the start of club, the multi-sport message is getting through. But how do you do it? The keys are offering incentives to athletes and convincing arguments to parents.

The difference between Wayne Gretzky and less productive wannabe’s was clearly his unparalleled rink sense.  This was demonstrated every game of his life in two ways: his ability to anticipate the next play before it even started and his creative decision making.

I want to take this time to point out what it means to be part of an athletic team, and there is one letter to start that conversation – the letter “P”.

As we approach the half-way point of the 2008/09 ice hockey season, it might benefit all involved (Coaches, Parents, and Players) to reflect on where we’ve been, and where we’re going.

Hockey is a team game and youth hockey is for the enjoyment and development of all the players. At the college and professional ranks teams play 3 lines regularly and often times use the fourth line. In youth hockey the holy grail of “winning” is often to relegate the third line to the bench in many games.

Phil Grady recently retired as Head Coach of Hamilton College. In his 24 years at the helm, Coach Grady's Continentals made the post season 18 times. He finishes with 304 wins, 260 losses and 34 ties. He recently took a position working with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Unselfish philosophy should be taught to our young student-athletes, and they should learn it at home at a young age. Thousands of dollars spent on lessons and physical development neither guarantee nor entitle stardom.

I’ve been coaching for many years, and I recently found a book, Seven Secrets of Successful Coaches (pub. by Winning the Mental Game, 2006) by Jeff Janssen and Greg Dale, that I wish I had read at the beginning of my coaching career.

Ed Gosek has been the head coach of the Oswego State Lakers since 2003, and has a career record of 96-31-13 in five seasons and most recently led Oswego State to the NCAA Division III men's ice hockey championship in 2007. It was the first team national championship in the school's athletics history, and Gosek was honored with the Edward Jeremiah Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association as the Men's Division III Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. He was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2005 and his Lakers have finished atop the SUNYAC standings in the last three regular seasons, 1^st in 20006 and 2007, and 2^nd in 2008.

We thought we would take this opportunity to introduce you to the ACE Program through the first Coaches Clipboard.