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NOV/DEC 2 0 2 4 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 15 "Last year, we had player-coaches on the bench. Like having Reg Dunlop in real life," Cheesebrough said of his Centennial team that made it to the Class 2A state tournament. "There's something about peer-to-peer commu- nication. At Bantams or high school, it's a little easier to see than Peewee and Squirts. The key is being positive." PEER-TO-PEER EXPLANATION For younger players, the first step in good peer-to-peer communication is explaining concepts to their team- mates —be it a drill, a small-area game or a situation that just happened in a game. "I think in many instances, it carries a lot more weight than the authority figures down to the play- er," Cheesebrough said. "And when they're nodding along, that gets back to being a good teammate and com- municator and building your team- mates' confidence." DOWN, BUT NOT OUT Coaches love players who can face adversity head on. "If you can start young, I think coaches value it because we know we're going to face tough times, it's a long season. There's going to be highs and lows, it's the part that when we hit the lows, can we ride them out?" Cheesebrough said. Hockey is a game full of mistakes. Are players able to receive instruction and correction while maintaining a positive attitude? "Coaches are hopefully giving constructive criticism so you can improve," Cheesebrough said. "Take the error you just made and try to improve it the next time out. Coaches love when you can look a player in the eye and they say, 'I know, I got this.'" SWITCH IT UP WITH A SMILE Coaches love when players readily accept new assignments or positions. They value players who are flexible and don't com- plain when asked to do something they might not feel totally at ease with. "We love it when a player looks a coach in the eye and says, 'I'll do it' rather than complain or 'I can't,'" Cheesebrough said. "Well, coach is putting you into a position for a reason and we all want someone who is willing and accepts it." UP FRONT Players who are willing to battle in front of the net show toughness, reliability and a willingness to compete. "Want to be sent out in 6-on-5 situ- ations, the power play or penalty kill?" Cheesebrough asked. "Be willing to stand in front of shots on offense and defense. You will rank high on your coach's list, whether your team is pro- tecting a lead or needs that tying goal." RAZOR'S EDGE Every coach wants players who com- pete and play with the fire of 1,000 suns, but it's important not to get so hot you burn your team. "We want you to go into the hard areas, we want you to dig in the corner, we want you to win wall battles and we want you to have some grit and play with an edge," Cheesebrough said. But don't cross the line with dirty hits or dumb retaliatory penalties. Play hard, but have what Cheesebrough calls an "internal governor." "Even better is battling and a guy cross-checks me in the back, because I'm standing in front of the net and I fall down and get back up and don't retaliate, because we're on the power play. I want them to play with a cer- tain ferocity, but as long as they're not going over." BUT WHY? Cheesebrough enjoys players who really want to know the "why," asking smart, probing and challenging ques- tions. Why do we do certain things in the context of a game or practice? "It shows me an internal willingness that they want to improve. Maybe it's how kids get higher hockey IQ or better learn the game," Cheesebrough said. "Maybe they are the ones who are little coaches and in 20 years are going to be coaches and then pass it along." There will be highs and lows each season. Can you navigate adversity and learn from your mistakes?