My two sons play travel hockey and have been playing for 9 and 10 years, respectively. After logging that many hours at the rink for practices, lessons and games, I am pretty knowledgeable about the game. There are definitely some similarities to the business world, so I am hopeful my boys will be able to transfer these life skills into the workplace once day.
For starters, hockey requires the ability to multi-task and I don’t mean just talking and walking. This is a challenging sport. Players have to skate on a 2.9mm blade quickly forward and backward. They have to be willing to make adjustments in a split second to do their job. While flying around the ice, they must carry a 3” diameter rubber puck with them and get around others on the ice to reach the goal. They cannot let obstacles stop them, even if the obstacle if 6’2” and 180 pounds. Tenacity and a degree of fearlessness is required as it is all but inevitable that they will get knocked down during a game. You can tell the strong players from the weak ones not by how many times they get knocked down, but how they handle themselves after they get knocked down? The strong players, pop up quick and get back in the game.
Then there is patience; a player must have patience to gauge for the right shot. They have to be able to locate an opening and accurately shoot the puck. This often requires them to be creative and beat the goalie by stickhandling quickly in front of the net or pulling the shot one way and quickly reversing when they shoot to catch the goalie off guard.
I cannot even discuss the word hockey without emphasizing the toughness that is required. Physically when you hit others or get hit, and mental toughness, especially when the scoreboard shows your team is losing. That is when you dig deep and keep fighting until the buzzer sounds and the game is over. It is not just about winning, although that is certainly more fun. It is more about sportsmanship and dealing with losses, especially those you are not expecting and those that statistically should not happen. For example, a team you beat all season beats you in a championship game—there is no logical explanation and it is painful, but you need to let it go. Leave it on the ice. Beat them next time, because there is always a next time.
One thing I love about the game is the teamwork I witness every time my sons hit the ice. Every play requires collaboration, the players skate with the player who has the puck, so they are available for pass and can take a shot. Hockey is an unselfish sport, and strong players score, but they also pass. It is fun to score, but the goal is the overall win and not individual accomplishments. Assists are critical and without them there would be no goals. That is a great lesson—there are many behind the scenes in the workplace that have a key role in the ultimate win. Players celebrate after a goal and you often do not know who scored because they are each as equally excited.
Penalties happen, but there is a consequence. You end up in the box for breaking the rules and that can put your team in a bad position where they are outnumbered. Being disciplined and smart about getting penalties is important. Self-control, something teenage boys can struggle with, is imperative, especially when you are hit from behind or someone is punching you. Not retaliating is often the hardest, but the ref is watching and will always call the penalty on the one retaliating.
The level of class after a game, win or lose, is something you do not see in many sports today. I love that the players from both team shake hands on the ice and say “good game” to their opponent. At the end of the day, you need to have respect for others whether they defeat you or vice versa.
Camaraderie is another benefit of playing the game. Your team is your family with whom you travel around the state and country. You become friends on and off the ice and always have their back. There is a sense of reassurance stepping on the ice knowing you have a bench full of players who will do that for you.
Hockey is just a game, but the hard work training to be your best, quick decision making and thinking outside the box are key traits that would help any employee. I like to think that this combined with the respect, teamwork and collaboration skills my sons have will make them an excellent addition to a corporate team in the future.
If you would like to discuss team hockey…or recruiting the best possible talent for your team, please do not hesitate to contact me at cynthia@mchenryconsulting.net.
