Creating Your Own Politics in Hockey

Creating Your Own Politics in Hockey

You hear it all the time. Players, parents, coaches, after a tough game or when someone isn't getting the ice time they think they deserve, someone inevitably whispers about "politics." Maybe it's true sometimes. Maybe there are coaches who play favorites, or teams where the decisions don't always seem fair. But here's the truth: you can almost always make all of that irrelevant. You can create your own politics.

You can be so good, so undeniable, that no coach, no decision, no perceived 'politics' can hold you back.

I started hockey late, at 13. I was way behind. I went to Bonham AAA with the Junior Kings and knew nothing about the game. I missed opportunities because I had one hand on my stick too often, or wasn't in position correctly. Instead of teaching those things, Coach rightfully would yell. It started out rough and I did sit in the beginning. I remember hearing other players and parents talking about politics and playing time. It's always people who aren't doing their job. I remember saying that to my dad, and him telling me, "We're going to make you so good that you create your own politics." He meant that there is no such thing as politics when you're good. And that's what we did. The next year, I went away and played AAA hockey in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and did really well. The moral of the story is, you can be the player who believes there's nothing you can do because of politics, or you can create your own politics and become the player you want to be.

Think about it. When someone complains about politics, what are they really saying? They're saying someone else got something they didn't, and they're blaming an unfair system. They're externalizing the problem. While unfairness can exist, focusing on "politics" is a distraction. It's a way to avoid looking inward. It lets you off the hook for your own development.

This isn't about manipulating the system or playing mind games. It's about making yourself indispensable. It's about being so skilled, so committed, and so effective that coaches *have* to play you. They *can't* afford not to. Your performance dictates your opportunity, not someone else's opinion.

So, how do you get there? How do you become the player who creates their own politics? It boils down to a few key areas:

Master Your Fundamentals You can't build a mansion on a weak foundation. Skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, these are your building blocks. Work on them relentlessly. Can you skate faster than anyone else in a straight line? Can you pivot and change direction quicker? Is your stickhandling so tight you can maneuver in a phone booth? Is your pass always on the tape, and your shot hard and accurate? Don't just practice them; master them. Hours and hours of repetition, every single day.

Understand the Game It's not just about what you can do with the puck. It's about what you do when you *don't* have it. Hockey IQ is huge. Are you always in the right defensive position? Do you anticipate plays? Can you read the ice and make smart decisions under pressure? Are you tracking back hard? Are you strong on your stick in puck battles? A smart player is an effective player, even when their individual skills aren't flashy.

Outwork Everyone Effort is the great equalizer. You might not be the most talented player on the ice, but you can almost always be the hardest working. Be the first one to the rink, the last one to leave. Take extra shots after practice. Do your off-ice training. Push yourself in every drill. Be relentless on the forecheck and backcheck. When a coach sees a player giving 110% every shift, every practice, every game, it makes a statement.

Be a Team Player and Coachable Attitude matters. Are you a positive influence in the locker room? Do you lift your teammates up? Are you coachable? When a coach gives you feedback, do you listen, absorb, and apply it? Or do you make excuses? Be respectful, be disciplined, and always put the team first. Coaches value players who contribute to the team's success, both on and off the ice.

Stop complaining about politics. Stop looking for reasons why things aren't fair. Take ownership of your development. Put in the work, master your skills, understand the game, and bring an unmatched effort and attitude every single day. Become so good, so undeniable, that no coach, no decision, no perceived 'politics' can hold you back. You won't just earn your spot; you'll demand it.