Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1161317
PHOTO BY Harry Thompson 27 SEPTEMBER 2019 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Gosselin // There are a ton of things that I really enjoy, but the best part of job is getting out on the ice with the kids, seeing that energy, seeing smiles on their faces, watching them learn lifetime skills that they're going to apply in all other aspects of their lives. What is the most challenging part of your job? Hunt // It was just dealing with the local politics and balancing the needs of the entrepreneurs with the development side of things. Just getting the initial buy-in was probably the biggest challenge. Gosselin // The few stubborn people really need to take a look at what we're doing. The U.S. Olympic Committee is implement- ing the ADM, which is a feather in our cap. We have created a model for all other sports. So, it's not just hockey, it's all about youth development. And that's the key. We need our people to take a look at that. They need to take the time because we have a responsibility to offer a good product in all sports to our kids and coaches and our parents. Mancini // The most difficult part is continually trying to get people to understand how important this is and why it's good on so many levels. Grillo // I would say that's my biggest challenge to get people to buy into the individual development process and to do it properly and not look for shortcuts. As I like to say, we're going to give you the answers to the test and if I was you I would use them because it's only going to make things easier for you. Paluch // The biggest part is trying to convince people who aren't aware and who don't take the time to really understand youth development, not just hockey development. Knowledge is a great tool. We have the opportunity in our jobs to continue to learn. And that's a great thing. Sometimes there's an inhib- itor in certain programs who hasn't taken the time to gain the knowledge to do what's best for young athletes. That's probably the most frustrating part of what we do. What does the future holds for the ADM? Gosselin // It's going to be good for everybody in the long run. Once we've run this full cycle where the kids who started in 2009 finish playing and become coaches, they aren't going to look at this as something new. It's just going to be what we do. We can always improve, but I think that model is going to stick around for a long, long time. Hunt // The ADM has expanded into the women's game, and into the goaltending side of things. But I'm a little surprised that it hasn't expanded even more than it has. I know the guys are stretched really thin, in terms of what areas they can cover. I'm a little surprised that each affiliate or each district doesn't have their own guy as part of that staff. If it can get to that point where there's a national presence in every geographic location, then it's going to explode and reach its true potential. Paluch // When you see the players who now are coming out and really introduced to themselves on the world stage in a big way is tremendously exciting. On top of that, it's exciting to watch games at all levels and see more players who understand the importance of hockey IQ, hockey sense and the ability to compete. Add to that the growth of the game in all different disciplines of our sport you can't help but think what a great future we have in front of us. Mancini // It's a little bit like Groundhog Day. Every year a new set of players and parents come in at whatever age that is, and we can never take our eye off the ball of making sure they are introduced to hockey and hockey development in the right man- ner and set them on the right path. So, on one hand, I think the future is more of the same. On the other hand, the future is for us to continue those journeys down the rabbit holes and have those discussions that will take us places that are important to go for us to keep USA Hockey on the cutting edge of what's important for world dominance. We can never sit still. Grillo // If you believe in something that is as important as this I don't think that it could ever go away. In fact, I think that would be a complete and utter disaster. It's just constantly getting peo- ple to realize that there's a process and that the process works. Doyle // It's going to be a nonstop process because you're always going to have new people coming into the game. One of the things that will never change is that message at the younger ages. And then quality implementation at those younger ages by the coaches will ultimately make the program such a no brainer that people are going to say, 'oh, I can't believe we ever did anything other than this.' P I'm blown away when I go into rinks and see what's being done and how beneficial it is for the young players. –JOE DOYLE