99 Torspo coach

[canadahockeyrules]

First time I've posted here on this forum, but I've been reading this site for years to keep up on MN hockey issues and the last several days I've been blown away. I'm originally from MN and played youth hockey there, and moved on and been playing juniors up in Canada. I don't know the coach of this team or have I ever heard of his team, but I'd like to add my two cents. I wasn't at the rink, so I didn't witness the coach's antics behind the bench during the game in question, but if he did what was reported, he needs to find a better way to motivate his hockey players. Yelling or throwing sticks is no way to coach a hockey team. Coaches are always upset during a game, either at the refs or his players, but the best coaches I have ever played for always kept their cool and stuck to managing his bench, yelling and calling the player out in front of fans and his fellow teammates only makes for a disfunctional team. A stern look or missing a shift or two will always get a player's attention. Most coaches will take out their frustration on how the team is playing, not during the game, but at the next practice. You want to get your team skating harder in a game that's not going your way, tell them they won't see a puck at the next practice. Trust me, a no puck practice sucks! Parents always beware of youth coaches who make the game more about them, and not the kids. If I had a coach who yelled at me everytime I made a mistake (I made a lot, and still do), I don't know if I could keep coming to the rink, no matter how much my parents paid for me to play. Coaches and parents just need to chill out, it's not the end of the world! As far as this guy being the best coach in the world, I doubt it, it that was the case what is he doing coaching a major squirt team?

[Ugottobekiddingme]

A brave and knowledgeable post towards this subject...let me add that this event isn't unusual regarding conduct from coaches towards children. What is un-nerving is that it is being exemplified politically because it is a MM team. This behavior happens within associations on a regular basis and like the people defending this coach, they try to bury information to protect one's own interest as they move back to their winter association and expect the same coach to carry them along on "upper" teams. I have witnessed coach's breaking sticks over the helmut, using whatever language that would make a south sider from Chicago blush, and physical and mental abuse on all levels of hockey.

The problem is parents look away and no one is willing to say enough of this environment because they feel they are entitled to advanced programs and will protect the entity that is doing the worst possible harm in educating their player. People are more afraid of the retribution or losing a spot on team over what would be considered "right" and proper sports education.

People are becoming uncomfortable because we are starting to realize that we no longer need negative reinforcement to move ahead. Let's all understand that these are kids looking to play a "game" of hockey...it is their ability that will advance their achievements...not some one time coach, association, or group with their own agenda!

You fill in the blanks....the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again with the same negative results expecting a different outcome. Where does bad coaching elevate youth hockey?

[NSHA Rules]

I have coached alot of years and I have read this topic both here and in the Meltdown scores thread.

I don't condone berating a kid what so ever....Things like you suck, you can't play, you are stupid, or swearing at a kid are not necessary and are down right rediculous.

What I do want to say is I have used many different ways to motivate kids. For some of you to say that it's unacceptable to raise your voice or yell at a team that is not playing well in between periods on the bench, the locker room or at practice is just as rediculous. You don't know the team dynamic and you can't even begin to understand the relationship between that coach and his players. A coach may take a moment and chew a team out in between periods and YES he may yell at them. That doesn't mean he is a bad coach, it's just another tool to motivate the kids. You would be surprised to know that most of the kids like to be treated like the big boys, as long as you are not berating the kids they can be very receptive to a coach like this. I don't know this situation but I would be very careful in slandering this guy unless you truly know what is going on, yelling is not a reason to say he is a bad coach. I don't agree with yelling all the time but I don't disagree with using it as a tool to motivate the players as long as you give alot of positive feedback as well.

I have and will raise my voice at the kids as I coach but I have and will give them positive feedback 10 times over. Some kids respond well to this type of coaching and some don't, good coaches know which buttons to push with each individual kid on their team. Don't judge unless you truly know the facts.

I do agree that throwing sticks over the boards is over the top. Made me laugh when I thought about it. I think he probably looked pretty stupid in doing so. Maybe it motivated the kids but I wouldn't put that one in my tool box of coaching! LOL!

I think you people need to really think before you start putting a coaches name on this board and cutting them down. Is it really worth it?? Put the situation on the board but leave the names out of the threads because you truly could be wrong. The discussion is very interesting though.

[observer]

The question management asks themselves when running any business, including a hockey team, is, can we do better? I think in this instance the answer is, probably can do a better job. Parents and management have high expectations and they're not being met.

[old goalie85]

Bad behavior out of a man who I'm sure had good intentions. ["Hate the sin not the sinner"] At the same time, as a business owner I think I would have to make some changes.

[muckandgrind]

One of the major qualities of a good head coach is that he has mastered the art of communication to the point where he can get his point across to the players without having to yell, scream and break sticks.

[whiteShark]

While it is certainly a good idea to discuss what makes a good or a bad coach, the point should be made that continuing to use the 99 Torspo coach as the Supreme Example of bad coaching is UNFAIR to say the least. The 99 Torspo families (whose opinion should be the judge) seem to support the coach.

In an effort to train children sometimes harsh words or behavior occurs - ask any parent of well-behaved children. It doesn't make you a bad parent to raise your voice or discipline when needed, it makes you a good parent to recognize when a child needs to be corrected. The same goes for coaching.

My children have all had coaches that I respect and admire - through association or aaa. Have these very same coaches sometimes behaved poorly? Yes! And, do I always agree with their methods of coaching? No! But, I appreciate the hours that go into the job and appreciate that it can be frustrating, exhausting, and full of emotion. My children have also had coaches that I do NOT respect or admire. The reason is because they don't know what they are doing. They believe their role is to stand on the bench and watch the game. They can't organize a decent practice. They don't have any idea how to teach children.

I applaud all the coaches out there willing to invest their time and their talents to the lives of our kids. While sometimes their passions get the better of them, I argue that every one of us has the same fault. I also believe that if a coach (or a parent or teacher for that matter) is hard on a kid and gives high expectations that often is paired with caring and a desire to see the child excel. Children feel that. That is why so many of us look back and are grateful for the parents, teachers and coaches that demanded the best from us, held us accountable, and taught us more about ourselves than anyone else.

As far as the tactics of the torspo coach, I firmly believe the incident has been blown out of proportion considerably. And I again urge readers to take what they read on the incident with a grain of salt.

[NSHA Rules]

One of the major qualities of a good head coach is that he has mastered the art of communication to the point where he can get his point across to the players without having to yell, scream and break sticks.

Screaming and breaking sticks I agree with. But yelling is an emotion that is not evil like most in todays society like to make it out to be. It can be an effective tool of communication in my opinion. It's like anything, if you yell all the time it becomes ineffective, but use it as an occasional tool to motivate and it can be very effective.

A team is very tight knit and close, even at 10 years old. If I were to go yell at a stranger it would spark the wrong emotion, but yell a little to your friends and family which is what I consider a team and you can get alot out of it.

Just my opinion.

[muckandgrind]

One of the major qualities of a good head coach is that he has mastered the art of communication to the point where he can get his point across to the players without having to yell, scream and break sticks.

Screaming and breaking sticks I agree with. But yelling is an emotion that is not evil like most in todays society like to make it out to be. It can be an effective tool of communication in my opinion. It's like anything, if you yell all the time it becomes ineffective, but use it as an occasional tool to motivate and it can be very effective.

A team is very tight knit and close, even at 10 years old. If I were to go yell at a stranger it would spark the wrong emotion, but yell a little to your friends and family which is what I consider a team and you can get alot out of it.

Just my opinion.

Yelling is one thing....berating is another. I don't have a problem if a coach of 10 year olds raise their voice to get a player's attention when the situation calls for it. But a coach should never berate a player or act the fool by doing things such as throwing sticks.

That being said, I've had the pleasure of seeing many great youth coaches, some of whom NEVER had to yell at a player in order to get through to them. To me, THAT is the sign of a great coach.

[Lowstickside]

Standing by and allowing this kind of behavior is inexcuseable! If someone acted this way in a store or your front yard, you would call 911!

If your kid's teacher treated your student like this at school, I'm sure a meeting with the principal would happen and the parent would be calling for the teacher to be fired!

If your realatives treated your kid like this at Thanksgiving there would be a major fight at the dinner table.

However, we all love hockey so much and want to see our kids succeed so badly that we have lowered our standards into the gutter when it comes to behavior we accept from our hockey coaches. These people are not gods! They are just standard average citizens like everyone else.
To see a group of people collectivly lower their standards is scary!

[hockeydad11]

The funny thing is that none of you where there!

If you were, you would not be saying the things you are. Again you all can say anything you want because you all hide behind your screen names.

AAA competitors that want to go on and on with your propaganda.

What is it you don't like about the guy?
Is it...

His hair?
That he is a Christian?
That his team is stronger than yours?
That he is part of MM?
I could go on.

Let's do the right thing and move on. Again the people writing about this were not even there and they want to attack this guy because he is not part of group or he in some competes with them.

[mnhcp]

Unless you were there, unless he's coaching your kid, unless you know him: hold your judgement.

One poster said the parents support him. Enough said. We obviously don't know the whole story and don't need to!

[Ugottobekiddingme]

I'm starting to think someone dug up Smitty Werbenjaegermanjensen and he is the #1 coach. Without having a public defense for someone who is not on trial, let's understand that this is not association hockey issue where you can defend and posture using the "hearsay" position. Save that method of defense for your winter hockey experience (the assoc board will usually fold like a lawn chair). This is "pay to play" elite hockey at MM and it only matters what the business owner thinks towards this situation. It directly effects MM ROI and if this coach is considered a liability, the business choice is simple. Better suggestion, tell your coach we are in the same rink next time before any consideration takes place towards unacceptable behavior as witnessed in a public environment.

[Stand Alone]

I was there, He coaches my kid, and I know him, and he is without doubt, the best coach my kid has ever had.

[justaguess]

I was there, He coaches my kid, and I know him, and he is without doubt, the best coach my kid has ever had.

Really? How many coaches has your 10 year old had since he left mites?

[EnjoyTheShow]

I was there, He coaches my kid, and I know him, and he is without doubt, the best coach my kid has ever had.

Do you condone throwing sticks or breaking sticks? We have all had moments we would like to take back. All in all I don't think this coach has bad intentions. Hopefully the attention this outburst has gotten will help this coach better deal with similar situations in the future.

[thunderwolf]

Any chance this coach was coaching a Team High Mark in the 98 division this weekend?

One of the parents said they were from Minnesota Made and many of the kids had Torspo sweatshirts on after the game. The parent also mentioned they were replacing the Deuce Having said that, this was not an invite level team.

I ask because this gentleman also called a timeout and blasted the team at a point when the game was going in the wrong direction for them. I have to say though that although you could hear him throughout the rink, I didn't think it was anything over the top

[muckandgrind]

Unless you were there, unless he's coaching your kid, unless you know him: hold your judgement.

One poster said the parents support him. Enough said. We obviously don't know the whole story and don't need to!

He is not some volunteer coach, he is a paid employee of Minnesota Made, thus he is not above criticism, and most of it, from what I can read are from posters who, like I, have personally witnessed behavior like this at the recent tournament or at other games.

I don't care if the parents "support" him. That doesn't mean squat when it comes to calling out inacceptable behavior from a head coach. If the parents condone actions such as his, then they are wrong and crazy. If it's true that the parents truly do support those actions, my guess is that they are fairly new (and naive) to the hockey game and the more seasoned they get, they'll come to realize that they were wrong.

People need to remember that we are talking about 10 year old kids for pete's sake. Not 15-17 year old boys who are old enough and mature enough (in most cases) to handle a coach who acts like a fool behind the bench and will laugh that coach off on the car ride home or with their buddies when the coach isn't around. Behavior like this could truly crush a 10 year old and put them into a shell. You don't want kids out there who are so afraid to make a mistake for fear of pissing off their coach that they grip their stick too tight and don't play loose. Remember, hockey IS supposed to be fun, right?

But let me say it again, I don't know this coach personally, and for all I know he could be a great guy....I just don't approve of his coaching style, that's all.

[9598]

What is it you don't like about the guy?
Is it...

His hair?
That he is a Christian?
That his team is stronger than yours?
That he is part of MM?
I could go on.

Let's do the right thing and move on. Again the people writing about this were not even there and they want to attack this guy because he is not part of group or he in some competes with them.

I don't know how anyone can say they don't like this guys hair.
I've seen his hair long, and I've seen his hair short.
It doesnt matter how he wears his hair, it's always fabulous!!!!!!!!
Very GQ

[LesHabs]

I was there, He coaches my kid, and I know him, and he is without doubt, the best coach my kid has ever had.

Really? How many coaches has your 10 year old had since he left mites?

[Puposky22]

Funny how it is always the same screen names running the slander train here.
Say it with me, this has parent stink all over it. Personal vendettas, revenge of the nerds.
The man can coach, he’s not very good at breaking or throwing sticks, but he can coach.
These stories are hilarious and are good for a laugh, but they are stories from stinky parents.
Two things wrong with youth hockey;
1 – Parents…. 2 – Politics…
# 1 will breed # 2 folks.
Okay – stink it up some more as this stuff is hilarious!

[Ugottobekiddingme]

Slander...really??? I'm past the disappointment level that my tax dollars are helping the hockey community with math. 1 doesn't equal 2 and 2 added with 1 doesn't equal folks but obviously some have been given a greater knowledge of math and thank god people are able to express their opinion...even though it stinks.

[silentbutdeadly3139]

Funny how it is always the same screen names running the slander train here.
Say it with me, this has parent stink all over it. Personal vendettas, revenge of the nerds.
The man can coach, he’s not very good at breaking or throwing sticks, but he can coach.
These stories are hilarious and are good for a laugh, but they are stories from stinky parents.
Two things wrong with youth hockey;
1 – Parents…. 2 – Politics…
# 1 will breed # 2 folks.
Okay – stink it up some more as this stuff is hilarious!

Actually he's pretty good at throwing or breaking stick ... at the very least he does practice. I don't know him personally, I don't have a kid on the team, nor has a kid of mine ever played for him. Maybe, as others have said, he is a good guy off the ice but i have witnessed his antics, as many have. They are not fictional. Hopefully this may prompt him to rethink his coaching methods.

[Doglover]

Unless you were there, unless he's coaching your kid, unless you know him: hold your judgement.

One poster said the parents support him. Enough said. We obviously don't know the whole story and don't need to!

He is not some volunteer coach, he is a paid employee of Minnesota Made, thus he is not above criticism, and most of it, from what I can read are from posters who, like I, have personally witnessed behavior like this at the recent tournament or at other games.

I don't care if the parents "support" him. That doesn't mean squat when it comes to calling out inacceptable behavior from a head coach. If the parents condone actions such as his, then they are wrong and crazy. If it's true that the parents truly do support those actions, my guess is that they are fairly new (and naive) to the hockey game and the more seasoned they get, they'll come to realize that they were wrong.

People need to remember that we are talking about 10 year old kids for pete's sake. Not 15-17 year old boys who are old enough and mature enough (in most cases) to handle a coach who acts like a fool behind the bench and will laugh that coach off on the car ride home or with their buddies when the coach isn't around. Behavior like this could truly crush a 10 year old and put them into a shell. You don't want kids out there who are so afraid to make a mistake for fear of pissing off their coach that they grip their stick too tight and don't play loose. Remember, hockey IS supposed to be fun, right?

But let me say it again, I don't know this coach personally, and for all I know he could be a great guy....I just don't approve of his coaching style, that's all.

Hopefully the postive outcome of this thread and the discussion surrounding the coach's behavior will be for him to be more aware of his coaching techniques given the age of his players. I agree with MG - hockey should be fun and players that play in fear will never develop properly. Parents wake up - news flash - you can choose your coach in the off-season. Don't get caught up in the competition and subject your young player to abusive coaching. Find a good coach and a good program. They are out there. This shouldn't happen.