I’m back home in Michigan for a bit, because well… Christmas, duh.
So, I did what any Michigander would do if they just returned home for the first time in a year… I went to the Red Wings game last night vs. Tampa.
And of all the things I could have clued into. Breakouts, structure, tactical adjustments, powerplay or penalty kill details…
You know, the stuff most coaches nerd out about.
What was I fascinated with?
You’re not ready for it…
My big takeaway was this…
Jon Cooper and Jeff Blashill are friends. So when Lalonde took Blashill’s job in Detroit, I’m sure Jeff’s phone rang immediately.
And you know what they do a ton together on Tampa’s bench.
They smile… During the game…
I know, unheard of, right?
It’s something I didn’t do a lot in my first coaching gig with the junior team.
Probably because we got beat by a touchdown on a few nights…
Your players seeing you having fun at your job isn’t the worst thing in the world.
It might actually help… A lot.
You say you enjoy what you do when asked by your family and friends around this time of year… But answer me this…
When was the last time you smiled behind the bench?
Something to think about… Because as my coaching mentor always reminded me in those 2 years:
“Smile, this is supposed to be fun.”
Merry Christmas to all the New Wave Coaches!
P.S. Here is a related piece on Cooper: