By Lorne Starko /
Work hard and have fun.
That was the focus of the Novice Recreation Tournament in Red Deer in mid-January.
It included the six Red Deer teams plus eight out-of-town teams from places like St. Albert, Calgary, Airdrie, Edson, Brooks and Leduc.
Each team played four games, but the tournament organizers didn’t keep a master list of results.
“It was just about participating rather than winning or losing,” says Ted Hutchings, head coach of Kindopp’s Printing, which had three wins and one loss in the tournament. Hutchings believes every team won at least one game.
“The kids know whether they win or lose,” explains Hutchings. “But they were playing different teams and having a good time. It was a great experience. The majority of the teams in the tournament were equally matched. When we went to other tournaments, it wasn’t like that. Many of our kids (seven- and eight-year-olds) are just starting out. For many of the kids, this is their first year of organized hockey.”
Hutchings rates the Red Deer tournament as one of the best of the year for Novice hockey. He says the Red Deer teams played different clubs that they had no idea about.
“The games were back and forth,” Hutchings states. “There was an exciting environment. There were lots of grandparents, aunts and uncles in the crowd. The fans were cheering loud. Everything was a celebration. There was one Calgary team that hadn’t appeared to have won a game, but they ended up winning. The kids were absolutely thrilled.”
As for his team, Hutchings says they learned how to compete and how to not quit. He says the one game they lost, the team was down by five goals and made it close to within two goals by the end of it.
“We came out of the tournament as a better team. We were more confident and more experienced in tough situations and close games. It has carried on in our league games and practices. The kids know what it takes to be successful. It was a tremendous experience for us.”
Hutchings says there is a wide range of skill level in novice hockey. It goes from kids just learning to skate to kids who have been playing for three to four years.
He says his coaching approach to the game isn’t too complicated.
“I want every kid to have the love of the game and want to come to the rink,” says Hutchings. “I use the example of myself. I still play and also coach. I want the kids to try their hardest every time and work hard. They won’t improve if they don’t work hard. It’s equally possible to have a good game and you lose 3-2 compared to when you win 3-2.”
In practices, Hutchings focuses on skating, both forward and backward, turning and stopping, basic skills. He says the play has improved immensely across the novice recreation league.
Hutchings says the coaches of the other Red Deer teams have the same approach to the game. |