P L A Y I N G W I T H A N
EDGE EDGE
BOB MOTZKO, HEAD COACH OF THE U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM AND
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM, isn't afraid to light a fire under
his players if they aren't giving maximum effort or playing with an edge.
But in an ideal world, one he works to cultivate as a coach, he doesn't have to do that because
the flame is perpetually lit.
"I'd rather put out a fire than start one," Motzko said.
Roughly meaning that he wants players he has to rein in rather than ones he has to push to
play with a greater spark.
"Every coach will tell you they'd rather put out a fire than start one," Motzko said.
Bob Motzko Sees
The Crucial Value
Of Having A
Competitive Fire
by MICHAEL RAND
36
// NOV/DEC 2025 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM
