Off Ice Leadership Progam for Hockey Youth

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:08 pm

I just saw this article in the local paper and I thought it was pretty interesting. It's a camp for hockey players between the ages of 13 and 17 that focuses on teaching them leadership and life lessons without involving hockey itself. It's got guys like Bourque and Orr involved with it. It's really a great idea. I've seen a lot of professional athletes now that could've used something like that growing up.

Read the story here.

Post by **batdad** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:29 pm

You have to love parents nowadays. They have schools/camps and outside teaching for everything. Someday, do you think we will ever get back to having parents teach kids how to make their way through life.

I know these kinds of camps are designed to be over and above what parents teach. Unfortunately, many parents think that these kinds of camps will be able to replace what they teach. Not going to happen, so then the kid comes out all wonky.

However, good on Bourque/Orr and the others for trying to make things better.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:41 pm

I totally agree with what you're saying about parents needing to teach their kids first and foremost. I think the idea behind this is to really go beyond that though. They only took 50 kids into this program. I got the impression that they were kids who had the potential to at least play hockey in college or junior at some point. I think kids that might be in those situations might need a little extra and coming from people who have been in that position, it can have more of an impact. Take Derek Sanderson for example. His story about he went from the top to the bottom as a pro athlete will really strike a chord with these kids. Stuff like that. Plus, as we all know, kids sometimes tune their parents out. They're sick of having their parents preach to them. But when one of their hockey heroes teaches them something, they're going to listen a little more.

Post by **batdad** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:47 pm

Derek Sanderson? God what an opportunity for superstardom lost. Soooooo much talent. So little upstairs. He just cracked under the pressure, and admits to it. He may be the most talented hockey player ever.

Yep- Bourque/Orr would be perfect people to teach guys how to deal with life's pressures no question. I am sure this program would be beneficial to all involved fo'sho.

I just wish we did not need these programs, and parents were a little more on the ball in general. Some do great. I know mine did fine. But ... man...some...are.....horrendous.

I know one guy right now who is trying to tell people his kid is ranked "3rd in the cuontry for the 2014 NHL draft" Umm...dude your kid is 11. He told this to me and someone else (who happens to be working for NHL Central Scouting) ... and ummm...the laughter .... was tremendous. What an idiot this parent made himself out to be. RAnking? 11 year olds? umm...the kid won't even make his own club's Pee Wee A team. I think not. They are not even looking at these kids for the WHL Bantam draft.

See... this is the insanity .... that no matter what Bourque/Orr do...they won't be able to overcome. I am sure they handpicked the kids, so none of these dolts get their kids into their camp...but ummm....yeah. You get it.