USA Hockey Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 29 EFORE COVID -19 shut down hockey in western New York, a Buffalo Jr. Sabres 12 & Under team played a full and competitive schedule. Starting around the end of August and going through the middle of March, the Jr. Sabres laced up their skates to the tune of 65 games that season. Throw in weekly practices and the 11- and 12-year-old players were on the ice close to 150 times during the season. Right next door to where the youth team plays, Buffalo's NHL club skates from mid-September until early April, hitting the ice for six preseason games and 82 regular season contests. That schedule could be extended once the Sabres manage to snap their current playoff drought. The difference between these two groups of committed athletes? The NHL's Sabres are paid professionals. The Jr. Sabres are on the cusp of puberty. The Jr. Sabres are by no means alone when it comes to playing an ambitious schedule. Their season is rivaled by teams of all ages around the country. Some programs play even more games, well into the 80- to 90-game range, and use it as a selling point to attract players from near and far. And oftentimes the next season picks right up with tryouts a day or two later, followed by spring and summer leagues as well as showcase tournaments. More Of Everything When it comes to youth hockey, and youth sports in general, there is a growing concern over the length of the season, the commitment in terms of both time and money a family must dedicate to compete at the upper levels of the game, and the toll it's taking on America's youth. To be clear, hockey does not hold a monopoly over these issues. Sports from tennis to gymnastics to basketball are all asking more from their players and parents in what many perceive is the pursuit of excellence. A dam Naylor is a mental performance and leadership c o n s u l t a n t a t Te l o s S P C, a c o m p a n y t h a t c o n d u c t s w o r k s h o p s f o r a t h l e t e s , sports associations, coaches and parents on the mental, e m o t i o n a l , e d u c a t i o n a n d d e v e l o p m e n t a l n e e d s o f their athletes. The issue of how much is too much is a central theme of many of the lectures he gives and papers he writes. "It's something that goes across the board of all youth sports," said Naylor, who has worked with USA Hockey programs and teams. "There's no sport you can't play year-round." But just because a child can play a sport year-round, the question remains, is it in their best interest? While the vast majority of those interviewed by USA Hockey Magazine are against it, they acknowledge that there may not be enough scientific data to support their convictions. "Just because a child can play a sport, year-round, the question remains, is it in their best interest?" B B According to USA Hockey's Ken Martel, playing games are less efficient for skill development when compared to a quality practice.

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