MIKE'S ICE ADVICE

Now that another OHL CUP final is being played this afternoon at the MATTAMY CENTRE, my hat goes off to all the players and coaches involved in another successful year. The Championship should be a rock solid game, with hopefully lots of action.

In these games emotions run very high and I hope that both players and coaches don’t lose their minds during the game. It is the last time of the year for certain players to come to the party , and show off why they think they should be selected by a MAJOR JUNIOR TEAM.

The last thing players should do is ruin their already existing grading by the probably more than 100’s of scouts, and at the same time try to influence a fence sitting scout that I am worthy of being selected in any of the rounds. Body language, tenacity, and level of compete are probably high on those scouts lists in determining if they missed something on the player.

At the end of the day all the players that have played U16 have to realize that it is a privilege to be selected not an entitlement. The world doesn’t end for those not selected. They have to take a step back and listen to words and opinions of smarter people and use those words into trying to become a better player.

For those kids who get selected by Major Junior teams, for heavens sake don’t take anything for granted. You will be going to camps with bigger, stronger, faster versions of yourself, and if a coach asks if you are willing to become a 3-4 liner when you put up huge numbers in the U16 season, PLEASE say ABSOLUTELY. I will do anything to help the success of the team.

That shows the higher ups that you are a character person that is unselfish to the bigger picture. If you are still around as an older player, then that should give you time to change back to the point producing player, or you might just say I am fine in the role they accepted me into

Good Luck in your future endeavors wherever they may lead!!

Mike Tanev

mtanev24@gmail.com