Volume 3, Issue  8 - April, 2003  

 "From the Right Wing…"

 

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Anaheim
MIGHTY DUCKS

#21

Dan Bylsma’s Newsletter --- A Feature of West Michigan Hockey Camp, Inc.

www.danbylsma.com

 The Duckies are still in the hunt!!!       

For a printer friendly version - click here                                                                                                                                            

     

              

This month's issue contains:

 DAN'S TIP OF THE MONTH   THIS MONTH'S QUESTION   TRUST FUND AUCTION   TIPS FROM HOCKEY CAMP 

 DAN'S HONOR ROLL  COACH'S TIP   THE SAYING OF THE MONTH   DAN TRIP IN THE NHL   DAN & JAY'S BOOKS 

  A WAY TO SUBSCRIBE

 
DAN'S TIP OF THE MONTH FOR PLAYERS

As you know, the Duckies are surprising some people by their success in the playoffs.  If you read the papers, particularly the Michigan papers, and listened to the experts, particularly the experts residing in Michigan, you heard that the Duckies were thought to be little more than a warm-up exercise for the Red Wings who were on there way to their rightful Stanley Cup championship repeat. The Ducks, it seemed, hardly had the credentials to be on the same ice as the vaunted Wings.

There were articles that told the Red Wing faithful that Curtis Joseph, who was bought by Detroit for the purpose of assuring another Cup, was more than able to de-feather the toothless Ducks.  Experts extolled the virtues of a team loaded with future Hall of Famers whose very presence on the ice assured victory.  And the Ducks lack of playoff hockey experience was certain to make them easy prey for the destined Wings. 

To be candid, while we thought we had a pretty good chance to be competitive, none of us on the Ducks believed we would sweep them.  But Jiggy (a relative unknown east of the Mississippi) played better than Cujo.  Our Hall of Famers (and we have our share of them) played better than their Hall of Famers and our no-name players played as if they had recognizable names. Now you know why we actually play these games instead of letting the experts and the newspaper writers choose for us.

I think there is a lesson in this for you - regardless of your age.  Don't listen to those who would belittle your chances for success - at hockey or anything else you want to achieve.  You have more to say about your destiny than your coach, your G.M., your league officials, the man who writes stories in your local paper, or anyone else who says that you're not good enough, that you won't make it, or that you're a loser.  The experts in your world are even less knowledgeable than the experts you see on TV or the writers in the newspapers.  And now we know how wrong even the expert experts can be. 

If the Ducks had listened to their naysayers, we could have come into Detroit with our wings clipped and been easy prey for the Wings.  But we believed in ourselves, in the goals we had set, and we were successful.  I encourage you to believe in yourself, not in those people around you who belittle you, your abilities, or your goals.

Proving the "experts" wrong can make for some very good feelings inside, as I've found out a time or two.  I hope you can have the same feelings. 

 

P.S. Does anyone know if there is any truth to the rumor that's circulating around California that they are considering renaming Detroit from Hockeytown to Shockeytown?

 

Dan Bylsma

THIS MONTH'S BEST QUESTION ON THE WEB SITE…

 

Dear Dan or Jay: Both my sons, 6 and 9 play hockey as well as other sports.  They both would like to be better players but I wonder if they have the work ethic necessary to progress.  How do you develop in instill an excellent work ethic in kids, whether it be for sports, better grades in school, and some day - their careers? Hockey Mom

 

Dear H. M.: Dan's initial comment was to tell you it might be too late. He further thinks I should answer this one after he compared my years of parenting experience with his. So you get me instead of Dan. Dan surmises right - this is not a hockey question, it's a parenting question and I frankly don't know what the answer is for you in your situation, but I'll give it a try.

First, I don't think it has much to do with sports; that is, the work ethic carries over into sports, sports doesn't give you a work ethic.  As John Wooden said, "Sports doesn't teach character, sports reveals character."

Second, I think it's something learned by example rather than taught. I can remember Dan in a talk saying that he remembers my coming home for dinner and then going back to the office, and that once or twice I worked through the night to meet an important deadline and got home in time for breakfast and a shower and to take them to school and what an impression that made on him. The adage, "Do as I say, not as I do" rarely works.

Third, I think in part it comes from a learned relationship between effort and effect. That is, when you work at something there is an accomplishment/benefit received. You practice the piano for an hour, you can play for two (and you get better at the piano); you keep your room cleaned, you can play hockey (and you can find things in your room) , you work hard and get good grades you get to see the pride glowing in your father's eyes (and you learn more).

Fourth, if you teach the child to be responsible in the important things - education, religion, social skills, family relationships - that will translate into being responsible in playtime. I don't think you can expect responsibility in playtime if it is not learned and is a part of the child's fabric in education, religion, etc.

An antidotal example, I know of a family who played hockey with our children who were quite well off and their children had the best of everything, sometimes before they needed or wanted it. I don't know if their family motto was ever written in Latin but in English it was, "If you want it, we'll show you what good parents we can be by not only getting it, but getting the best of it for you." The Bylsma family motto was, "If you need it, we'll get it for you. If you want it, you have to pay for half of it yourself."

When Dan was entering the 9th grade and would begin to  play high school golf he was playing with a set of adequate women's clubs and would be needing a men's set soon.

At about the same time, his friend from the family mentioned got a set of new, expensive clubs and frankly, he had not yet advanced to the duffer stage, while Dan was shooting in the 70s. Oh, how Dan coveted those clubs, to the point of believing life wasn't fair. We told him, if you want new clubs, we'd pay half (golf clubs being a want, not a need).

That summer he found a job cleaning out what amounted to tar out of settlement ponds... a hot, dirty, filthy, dust-choking job and he made enough money to buy a used set of Hogan copper-faced clubs - top of the line clubs at the time. That fall he won the Michigan State High School Golf tournament as 9th grader - with those clubs - which he still uses (and takes pride in) today. I think I can say with some authority that his aforementioned friend hasn't broken 100 yet and that he no longer has a complete set of clubs - I know at least one of them is in the pond at the 17th hole at our local course. And in spite of being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he is still trying to find himself and a career if and when he locates himself. He never learned a work ethic because in his formative years, he didn't need to develop one to get what he wanted.

In short, you teach them to clean their room, and then they'll take good care of their gear. You teach them to work hard at their schoolwork or chores around the home and they'll work hard at their playtime. If you have a work ethic as a parent, they will usually emulate that, or do it to gain your approval.

And don't worry about their success in their games because it's not up to you. You can relax. As Sparky Anderson said, "Your son will make it to the (NHL) in spite of what you do for him, not because of what you do for him."

 

   Jay Bylsma

Go to TOP  DAN'S TIP  THIS MONTH'S QUESTION  HONOR ROLL  COACH'S TIP  SAYING  DAN in the NHL  BOOKS  SUBSCRIBE

To all the Mothers in our extended hockey family...

If you are like Dan's Mom, your son or daughter's hockey involvement has not been without a sacrifice of time, money, and emotional energy on your part.  We'd like to honor you and the contributions you make to your children and to the children in your extended hockey families...  on your Mother's Day. 

Click Here
MY CHARITABLE TRUST FUND...

There is no auction this month.  I've been donating some of my stuff to other charity auctions and am fresh out of goodies at the moment.

 
NOTES FROM MY HOCKEY CAMP...

Many of you have expressed disappointment that we discontinued the high school session of our hockey camp.  This year, one father approached us with enough ammunition to persuade us to reconsider; so there will be a high school session this summer.  It will be a mini-camp held from 7-9 p.m. on August 5, 6, and 7 at the Standard Federal Ice Center on Paterson Avenue in Grand Rapids, MI.  The cost will be $175.  It will be a chance for you to have your skating analyzed and to review your technique.  You can sign up on the web site.

 As I've said before, everyone can improve on their skating, and that includes many of the players in the NHL.  That's why NHL teams hire skating instructors (they do - believe it or not).  When your fundamentals are not correct you waste energy, are not as maneuverable, are not as fast, are easier to check, and your muscles work inefficiently (you tire faster).  I can't make you skate like Paul Kariya in three days, but you can make great strides (Get it? Great strides).

***

We were sorry to receive the sad news that several players who were coming from Japan (including Yuka Nojima and Shohei Itami who attended last year) cannot come this year due to scheduling conflicts.  If you were considering coming to the Travel Skills section of the camp, there are now a few openings.  

***

From time to time we are alerted to training devices that may have value.  We've told you about the Frappier Acceleration program and various web sites that contain helpful information.  Recently we've learned of a man who has re-invented the chair.  Before you laugh, many of you learned to skate by pushing a chair around for balance, then with another person on it to learn to push off.  Well, a man from Canada has re-invented the chair, made it adjustable, weight bearing, (this is not your father's rocker) and it doesn't cost as much as a folding chair.  We're told it's getting high marks from skating instructors and we're considering buying one for our hockey school.  You can check it out at www.perfectskater.com.  And tell Mr. Dumont that Dan sent you.

                 

Dan Bylsma

DAN’S HONOR ROLL 

I think your academic progress is so very important that I have an academic Honor Roll; I don't have an honor roll for hat tricks and shutouts.  I hope each of you are diligent in your studies and can either raise your GPA by one point, or can attain a 3.5 GPA and be listed here.
 

NAME

AGE

GPA

 SCHOOL

 TEAM

STATE

Ross Hinkle

11

3.67

Wayland Middle School

G.R. Grizzlies PeeWee AA

MI*‡

Shannon Kelsey

14

4.0

Estero High School

Pinch a Penny Womens League

FL‡

Lucas Kelsey

13

3.57

Three Oaks Middle School

Jr. Everblades Bantam A

FL

Cliff Jones

13

3.86

Spring Lake Middle School

Muskegon Chiefs Bantam B3

MI*‡

Marshall Jones

11

4.0

Spring Lake Intermediate

Lakeshore House - Bonners

MI*‡

Brad Christiansen

 11 3.83 White Pines Middle School Norton Shores (Vers. Fab) PeeWee

MI*‡

Winston Jones

9

3.9

Holmes Elementary School

Shoreline Rec League Squirt

MI*‡

Brandan Ryfiak

11

3.8

N. Rockford Middle School

Rockford PeeWee

MI*‡!

Marshall Jones

11

4.0

Spring Lake Intermediate

Lakeshore House - Bonners

MI*‡

Ryan Christiansen

 8 TR Peach Plains Elementary G. H. Plastics Mite In-line

MI‡

Jeremy Hopersberger

 11 4.0 Laingsberg Middle School Lansing Capitals PeeWee A

MI*‡

Andrew Frank

8

3.67

Eagle Lake Elementary

Irish Rover Mite A

MI

Paul Engman

 12 3.72 E. Rockford Middle School Rockford PeeWee

MI*‡

Aaron Arkema

 8 4.0 Kettle Lake Elementary Capital Centre Pride Mite AA

MI*‡

Matt Rosenthal

11

3.75

Chapparel  Elementary

Calababas Flyers PeeWee

CA*‡

Ryan Corgan

 14 4.0 North Muskegon Middle Muskegon Chiefs Bantam B1

MI*‡

Josh Corgan

 10 4.0 North Muskegon Elementary Muskegon Chiefs Squirt AA

MI*‡

Caleb Weiler

 9 3.87 Calvary Christian Academy Hatfield Ice Dogs Squirt B

PA

Harrison Huls

 9

3.87

Blaisdale Montessori School

Ajax Knights A Minor Atoms

ONT

Sammie Baker

10

4.0

Fr. Marquette Middle School

Marquette LitiGators Girls 11 Under

MI*

Josh Weinstein

 10 4.0+ A.P. Terhune Elementary Ice House Avalanche Squirt AA

NJ‡
Kris Johnson 10 3.65 St. Stevens Lutheran Lakeland Squirt Spitfires MI*

Bennett Schneider

13

3.78

Canterbury School

Jr. Everblades Bantam AA

FL

Madison Schneider

9

4.0

Canterbury School

Teco Squirt House

FL

Colton Ritchie

9

4.0

Schola Maxima

Red Wings Squirt House

AL

Dakota Abramowicz

11

4.0

Jane Addams Middle School

Royal Oak Eagles PeeWee A

MI

Matt Weinstein

 12 4.0 Schyler Middle School Ice House Avalanche PeeWee AA

NJ‡

Ben Grace

 9 3.63 Raisinville Ellmentary Monroe Ice Hawks Squirt B

MI*

Jonathan Koslop

 11 4.0 Bonita Middle School Sunrise Ice Sharks Black

FL‡

Andrew Lawrence

11 3.9 Quinton Township School Delaware Jr. Blue Hens PeeWee A

DE‡

David Lawrence

 13 4.0 Quinton Township School Delaware Jr. Blue Hens Bantam AA

DE‡

Reid Munroe

 10 4.0 N. Muskegon Elementary Muskegon Chiefs Squirt AA

MI

Ben Bodman

 13 3.93 Mason Middle School Lansing Senator Bantam B

MI*

Mark Hazel

 13 3.9 Pinewood Middle School W. Michigan Bantam A

MI‡

Tyler Spiering

 12 3.9 Sylvan Christian School EGRAHA Bantam B

MI*‡!

Matt Slowinski

 11 3.79 Tawas City Elementary GSAHA TBF Graphic Blues PeeWee

MI

Bobby Pease

 11 3.92 Austin Prep Valley Jr. Warriors PeeWee AAA

MA

Mitch Hughes

 10 3.9 Stoneybrooke Christian Anaheim Jr. Ducks Squirt A

CA

Marty Jensen

 13 3.75 Anderson Middle School Omaha Bantam B3 - Reds

NE

James Sheff

 10 4.0 Island City Academy Anaheim Jr. Ducks Squirt A

MI*‡

Alex Toppin

 9 3.85 Miliam Upper Elementary Tupelo T-Rex Squirts

MS*‡

Drew Toppin

 12 3.9 Miliam Upper Elementary Tupelo T-Rex PeeWee

MS

Joe Adams

 11 4.0 St. Paul's Lutheran JR. Mighty Ducks PeeWee AA

CA‡

Vinny Valentine

 10 4.0 Three Oaks Elementary Jr. Everblades Squirt AA

FL

Blake Ramos

 11 4.0 Chippewa Middle School Lansing Capitals PeeWee A

MI

Sean Wilson

 10 3.8 Pelican Marsh Elementary Jr. Everblades Squirt AA

FL

Andrew Steghuis

 11 3.5OGI Grandville East Elementary Grandville Ice Dawgs PeeWee

MI*‡

Donald Sund

 9 TR Immanuel St. James Luthn GRAHA Squirt A

MI*

Taylor Olson

 9 4.0 Centre City Elementary Hollydell Hurricanes Squirt A

NJ

Ben Suchin

 11 3.7 Running Springs Elementry Hunting Beach SunDevils PeeWee A

CA

Kris Johnson

 11 3.83 St. Stephen Lutheran Lakeland Spitfires Squirt

MI*

Ross Hinkle

 12 3.71 Wayland Middle School