TL:DR - Listen

It's been an incredible 20 years immersed in the world of mental game training and the psychology of hockey, working closely with athletes, coaches, and parents. Two decades of dissecting the mental intricacies that make or break elite performers, and yet, after all this time, there's a frustrating pattern I keep seeing: the sidelining of mental game training as if it's some sort of luxury add-on rather than a cornerstone of a player's athletic development.

The Common Misstep

It's frustrating, to be honest. Every season, it's like clockwork—teams start strong, riding high on physical skill and tactical prowess. But then the mid-season slump hits, or even worse, key games are lost when it matters most. Only then do folks start to talk about mental toughness. As if it's some kind of Band-Aid you slap on to stop the bleeding.

Let's get this straight: Mental toughness isn't a last-minute lifesaver; it's a life jacket you put on before you even set sail.

Starting Off Right

When we kick off the season, that's when the mental game training needs to start—not when we notice the boat is filling up with water. It's crucial to integrate mental game training into the very core of your regular practice routines, making it as fundamental as skating, passing, and stick-handling.

You wouldn't wait to teach defense until after you've lost three games, would you? Then why would you hold off teaching resilience, focus, or emotional control until your confidence is shot, you're riding the bench, and you have half the season left?

The High Stakes

And the thing about mental toughness training is that we're dealing with more than just shooting, skating, and passing. Mental toughness is about instilling habits and setting up life skills that go way beyond the third period. If you're a player, parent, or coach, understand this: Mental training isn't a distraction from the game; it's a catalyst that can elevate everything else players face in their lives.

Think about it. Your shooting accuracy isn't just about arms, eyes, weight transfer, and release point—it's about the ability to focus, to tune out distractions, and to manage the nervous energy that comes with high-stakes moments. That's not something you can just "pick up" when the pressure's on.

The Mental Edge

If you've spent time around elite ice hockey, you know the competition is fierce. The margins are razor-thin. More often than not, the difference between a win and a loss doesn't come down to who has spent more time on the ice, in the gym, or in the video room. It's about who has the mental edge.

Imagine a team that starts the season with that edge—that resilience, high compete-level, and mental acuity. It's not just about avoiding a mid-season slump; it's about setting a tone that lasts the entire season, and ideally, all throughout your hockey journey. Even a lifetime.

Don't Wait to Be Great

So, whether you're a player who wants to reach the next level, a parent committed to your player's development, or a coach like me who's been around the block, don't wait. Make mental game training a priority from day one. Not because things start falling apart and you're scrambling to patch up your boat, but because you don't want to be just "a player" but because you want to become a "complete player".

Trust me on this. You won't just see the difference—you'll feel it.

Till next time, keep your head in the game and your heart in the play.

Coach Kevin Willis, Ph.D.

Expert Mental Game Coach, Sport Psychologist, and Hockey Coach
TheCompletePlayer.com