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R I N K RAT 18 // SEPTEMBER 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM ILLUSTRATION BY Darren Gygi BEH I N D T HE G L A SS After landing my first job as a televi- sion news reporter, it wasn't long before I was called into my news director's office. A manager with plenty of news-know-how, he wasn't thrilled with one of my reports. He felt I had failed to ask the questions that would have given better context to the story. My defense was perhaps more incriminating, "Well, I just assumed…" In his booming voice the boss said, "Never assume. It makes a you-know-what, out of you and me! And, always ask a lot of questions!" That advice has served me well throughout my televi- sion news career and as a hockey parent. We were "that family " asking lots of questions before signing on the dotted line for any team. A preseason meeting is the perfect time to find out whether a team and the coach's philosophy is a good fit for your family. Think of it like an interview. Find out specifics on the schedule, costs and how to handle school or family conflicts. Getting answers early on can help you win those faceoffs during the season and avoid seeing your budget take a blind side hit. A s a h o c ke y d a d , C o l o r a d o p a r e n t - ing coach and TEDx speaker Tommy Maloney discovered early on the impor- tance of asking questions, researching teams and turning to the real experts: other parents. "Asking parents who have had experience with the association is a good start. Even look at reviews online," Maloney says. Use the power of observation to watch how coaches interact with players. With younger kids, is the coach getting down on a knee to look at them at their level? Is the coach encouraging during drills? And don't be afraid to dig for answers on costs. After all, it's your money. "Hockey equipment can get expensive [I'm a goalie dad, feel my pain?] Ask if the association can do an equipment swap," Maloney suggests. Perhaps scholarships are offered to help families with the price of a season. As a single dad, Maloney says he felt ashamed of not having the money for gear and fees. "The hardest phrase to say to your kids is I can't afford it," he admits. "Ask for help. Trust me, hockey parents have huge hearts." Always ask your kids if they are having fun. Hockey should be fun, exhilarating and challenging. It's important to know what your kids expect from their hockey experience? Do they under- stand the commitment it takes to play a full season? "Take time to evaluate whether this is the right fit for your family," Maloney says. The easiest way to set yourself up for failure going into a season is by making assumptions. Assuming it will probably be fine if you miss a tournament for your annual family vacation, that fees are covered by the organization or you won't actually have to work shifts at the snack bar. When the time comes, you won't be explaining yourself to your coaches and other parents by saying, "Well...I just assumed…" I have a good idea of what their response might be. P THE HOCKEY MOM By Christie Casciano Burns No Matter What You May Think You Know, Ask A Lot Of Questions Asking parents who have had experience with the association is a good start. COACH OF THE MONTH DREW AKINS Age 34 Jackson, Wyo. After a four-year stint at the University of Minnesota Duluth and a professional career that took him to Poland and Australia, Drew Akins still wasn't quite ready to hang up the skates. When he found an opportunity to be on the other side of the game, while still playing semi- pro hockey, it was an offer he couldn't resist. As the director of player development in Jackson, Wyo., Akins helps orga- nize and structure prac- tices, work on individual skills with players and advises families getting into the game for the first time. "I'm here to help grow hockey in the commu- nity and make sure that kids are learning the right things at the right time," he said. The Excelsior, Minn., native credits an array of coaches for giving him the tools to develop the next generation of players. Remembering how he liked to be coached gives him help- ful perspective in his role as a coach today. "Hockey's just some- thing that's been a huge part of my life since I was 3 years old and it doesn't even feel like a job. That's the best part of it all."