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NOV./DEC. 2 0 2 3 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 13 WE, NOT ME While success at one level of hockey may lead to opportunities at the next, Raboin stresses that winning players are the ones who put the good of the team above individual goals. Winning teams have selfless players. "The team is so much bigger than themselves," he said. "The teams I've been part of, the players are so much there for the team and the program. The biggest thing in the world they want is to win a national championship for their university and their team. Turning pro is a byproduct; turning pro is secondary." EVERYONE HAS VALUE Raboin recalled his first season as an assistant coach at St. Cloud State when the Huskies made their first-ever Frozen Four and how the so-called "depth play- ers" led them to that moment. "These were the third- and fourth- line guys who didn't know if they were going to be in the lineup the next game," he said. "The positivity they had to compete hard to push their fel- low teammates in practice everyday, "When everyone feels part of the team, the team will grow and ultimately be rewarded." To build a winning culture, every player on the team must feel welcomed and valued. to make sure the scout power play looked identical to the team they 'd be playing. We're talking about everyone. The team isn't just the guys playing on the weekend; the team is everyone in the program. "When everyone feels part of the team, the team will grow and ultimately be rewarded." COMMUNICATION, NOT CRITICISM Related to that, it's vital that coaches, leaders and top players communicate value to the entire roster. Players need to understand where and how they fit in on the roster—and why. "Communication is so important today," Raboin said. "It may be more important than ever. Players need con- stant feedback. You can't just be critical about why someone isn't playing. You have to talk about the value of the person and the things that make them valuable." STAY POSITIVE Winning is a byproduct of the attitudes that a team and program have over time. "I've always been drawn to people who are positive and kind," he said. "As a recruiter, you're first drawn by what you see on the ice, but, from there, you try to find positive people who value others. Those are the kinds of people you want on your team." Raboin watches how players act and carry themselves at different moments. "How you compete in those moments lead you to the result. Winning is what happens at the end."