In a time when the United States is building up to a heated presidential election, I thought it would be a good idea to address one aspect of the politics of hockey.
We all know politics is part of the game. If you don’t, congratulations on having a new player at the Mite level and you will soon find what I am saying to be true.
Politics. The most important thing to know when entering the world of really competitive hockey is that politics can ruin a career more quickly than it can make a career.
Here is some real simple advice to parents. Relax. Be quiet. Do not say anything. Unless you are experienced in the game, do not think that the hockey business is like any other business where you are free to express your opinion when and where you want.
If you have an issue with someone in a position of power, there are times when you take up the fight and times when you walk away. It takes one phone call from the right person to end a career. If you think it doesn’t happen, then you are probably not going to be in the sport long.
Recently, in my role as a family adviser I had to go through a process of getting a player a refund from a Tier III junior team. The process, after the team refused to refund the money, and the league refused to uphold the rules, took nearly ten months to resolve going through USA Hockey.
In the end though, because we followed the rules, the client was successful in getting an award of thousands of dollars returned to them.
Could the client have made a public statement? Could they have complained and made a scene? Yes, but they did not. The fight went through the proper channels, and though it took longer than anyone wanted, it was resolved appropriately.
In another instance I watched a non client try to publicly berate a coach last season because his son was not chosen for a team. That same young man has now been not chosen by more than a dozen teams he could have made because word is out that the parent is difficult to deal with.
In yet another instance I was called by a potential client who informed me they did not pay their bill in full to the team from last season because they felt the team didn’t uphold their end of the contract. I did not take this person as a client because they didn’t want to follow the rules on their end of paying, and if dissatisfied seek a refund. They simply went at it alone and now have the reputation of being parents who don’t pay their bills.
If you think your actions, do not influence your politics, you are mistaken. If you are incapable of controlling yourself from expressing your opinion, then this is not the sport for you.
Word travels fast in this business. If you screw someone out of money, or time, you will likely shorten your career. If you are to aggressive with a coach, you will likely shorten your career. If you are a gossip monger, a person who talks behind peoples backs when you know you cant talk to them directly, you will likely shorten your career.
Its no different then at your real job mom and dad. No one wants hard to handle people. Do not put that label upon yourself. Once you have the label, you wont be able to get rid of it.
Joseph Kolodziej – Adviser
