Advice from a Junior Hockey Coach

Simon Watson is a true leader in the game of hockey. I have known Simon since 2006 when we shared a meal at an All-Star Game we were both playing in back in the Central Hockey League, a minor league in professional hockey that is now part of the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League). I feel lucky to have met Simon. We hit it off right away. We were both from Ontario and found ourselves in Texas in the minors. Little did I know that I would only play a few more games before being forced into retirement after 8 seasons as a pro. Simon was new into his journey having recently graduated from NCAA's St. Lawrence university. He was having a stellar rookie season amassing 15 goals in his first 26 games as a pro.

A few years later when I was named the head coach of the expansion Missouri Mavericks in the CHL Simon was at the top of my recruiting list because of his play, his leadership potential and his iron clad character. Not only did Simon end up playing for me but he become a team captain and upon his retirement I was able to convince him to stay and be my assistant coach. He helped grow youth hockey in the KC area and spend countless hours with the youth and tier one (travel hockey) programs in KC. He has been a coach in professional hockey and has spent the last two season as the head coach and General Manger of the Topeka Pilots in the NAHL. I asked Simon Watson, head coach of the new North American Hockey League's Kansas City Scouts to write an article about anything he wanted and here is what he came up with... I am not surprised that is advice to the youth! He is so passionate about helping young players achieve their goals and pursue their passions.

MY LAST YEAR OF JUNIOR HOCKEY: CRUNCH TIME

by Simon Watson

During the 2000-2001 hockey season, I faced a situation that thousands of hockey players face every year – not having a college commitment entering the final year of Junior Hockey.

Just like every other Canadian kid, my dream was to play in the NHL.  However, after being overlooked in the OHL draft, I shifted my goal to playing NCAA Division 1 hockey.  Going into my final year of junior (age-out season), I had little interest from schools south of the border.  I had talked to a couple of Canadian Universities, but if I was to somehow go and play in the US, I needed to have a stellar year.  The pressure to perform was high.  I set my personal goals before the season and reached many of them.  I had a great year.  However, entering the playoffs, I still had little interest. 

In the first round, we faced the Cambridge Winterhawks, a well-coached team that had some dangerous players.  Our team was solid, but we lacked the depth that Cambridge had.  They took a 3-1 lead as the series came back to our home barn in Waterloo.  I had failed to register a point in the first four games.  I was frustrated.  We were down in the series and I couldn’t seem to breathe when I was on the ice.  Cambridge had a checking line made up of some veteran guys that I got to know very well the first four games.  Every shift my line was out there, so were they.  The Hawks were getting their match and had me, and my line-mates neutralized.  Prior to game five, I went to find Coach as soon as I got to the rink.  We sat down and talked as we usually did.  Most times, we talked about other guys on the team and how we could try and get them going.  As team captain, I took pride in trying to help our younger guys find confidence and develop their games.  But this time, I wanted to talk about me.  I asked coach if he would consider playing me and my line more.  He regularly rolled four lines and didn’t mix up the rotation.  I mean, why not?  He listened to my idea and nodded in approval.  “Sure” he said.  Game five was the most ice time I had seen the entire year.  I was LOVING it.  Ultimately, we were outplayed and lost in overtime.  My junior career was done.  Panic mode was setting in.  Fortunately, or at least some silver lining was that game five was one of the best games I played in my entire life.  We lost 5-4 and I scored three and assisted on another. A little while after the game, my coach pulled me aside and said that there was a Division 1 coach that liked the way I played and would be in touch with me.  WOW. Here I was, junior career just ended and out of nowhere there is a glimmer of hope for me to realize my dream. 

The 24 hours after my last junior game was a huge turning point in my life and hockey career.  After going through the post season hugs and well wishes in the locker room with the boys, I headed out through the lobby of the arena.  Not knowing that the D1 coach was still in the building, I spotted him and approached him.  I introduced myself and we talked briefly.  He congratulated me on how well I played and gave me some nice compliments on my overall game.  He did mention that he was in town to watch another game in our league the following night.  Excited about the conversation, but dejected about the outcome of the game, I drove home to my parents’ house in Waterloo.  My dad and my oldest brother were in the kitchen waiting for me.  They asked if I had talked to the D1 coach after the game.  I asked them how they knew he was there.  Their response was “the entire crowd knew he was there!”.  I told them about our conversation.  Both my brother and dad stopped me when I told them that he would be at another one of our league’s games the next night. Almost in unison, they said “You need to go and talk to him again and tell him how much you want to go play there”.  They were right.  So I did.

The next day was a big day for me.  The game wasn’t until 7pm so I had all day to think about what I was going to say to the coach.  My plan was to introduce myself again give him a little bit of an idea of what type of person I was.  Our conversation the night before was brief and I certainly wasn’t overly chatty or outgoing. I wanted to be respectful of his duty of scouting the game, so I planned on tracking him down during the first intermission.  I couldn’t let the nerves stick around for another period! During the intermission I found him standing up above the bleachers by himself and approached him.  Thankfully, he remembered me (phew!).  We shook hands and talked for quite a while.  He told me he mentioned my name to his Head Coach and that they were looking for another forward for the following season.  My heart was racing and couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  At the end of the conversation, he shook my hand and told me he would be calling me in the next few days with an update on their interest level.  Considering how limited my options were, this was incredible to hear.  His phone call could not come fast enough.  He finally called me a few days later and invited me on a visit the following weekend.  I toured campus, spoke with Coach and watched them in action during playoffs.  My dad and oldest brother came along with me.  On the drive home, there was absolutely no question or any shadow of a doubt that I was going to be attending that school in the fall.  I had a place to go to school and play hockey.  A dream and goal of mine for quite some time.  It felt like all the hard work finally paid off, but in the back of my mind I knew there was more work to be done.

I ended up playing four years of Division 1 hockey, after red-shirting my freshman year. I was extremely fortunate to play for such an amazing program and incredible coach.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.  After college, I played five years of pro hockey in the CHL.  I then retired and pursued a coaching career in the CHL/ECHL as an Assistant.  My current role is Head Coach/GM of a team in the North American Hockey League. My story has a few things I hope hockey players of all ages will take away from it. 

1)      Believe in yourself

Believing in yourself and being your biggest advocate is hard for many, including me.  It was something that I struggled with and still do at times; self-doubt and fear of failure are hurdles that I needed to overcome.  What was important for me, was the support of my family and those close to me.  They pushed me.  They believed in me.  They loved me.  If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have asked my Junior coach for more playing time and certainly wouldn’t have gone to talk to the D1 coach the night after my junior career ended.  Believe in yourself and listen to those close to you. 

2)      Focus on what you can control

Tuning out distractions is not easy.  For me, I tried to stay focused on my play on the ice.  I wasn’t always perfect in this approach by any means but made sure to stick to my routine both on the ice and in the gym.  Take control of your routine and practice good daily habits. Chase your dreams with laser focus.

3)      Set goals

I set personal goals for my last season of junior and it helped me tremendously.  Goal setting has become a huge part of my coaching philosophy and something I try to help my players with.  While it important to “dream big”, setting small goals along the way always helps to show incremental improvement and build confidence. Be a goal-setter and goal-crusher.

    4)      Do what you love

Hockey is my passion.  I am fortunate to be able to continue to work in hockey and learn and grow from my experiences.  When I was a player, I loved competing in practices and games.  I loved the experiences I shared with my teammates.  I loved going to the gym and making myself better.  Loving the game of hockey was what pushed me forward and it continues to this day.  If you can do what you love, consider yourself lucky.  Let your love fuel you every day.

5)      Have urgency

My father was my biggest fan.  He passed away last year, and I miss him every day.  He was hard on me when I needed it and taught me to never settle for mediocrity.  One thing he always said to me while growing up and watching me play hockey was “MAKE AN IMPACT AND DO SOMETHING OUT THERE! Because before you know it, the shift, the period, the game and the season will be over”.  I look back and think of all the games my dad watched.  A lot of those games went by without me doing much out there and I regret that.  For those looking to make a name for themselves, I would suggest not making the same mistake I did.  Don’t waste a shift.  You never know who will be in the stands watching you.

Simon Watson

St. Lawrence '06