The 3-Part Formula Every Hockey Player Needs to Know

There's a simple truth in hockey that many players never grasp:

• Talent gets you noticed

• Character gets you drafted

• Habits keep you there

Now look - everyone talks about talent. The hands, the speed, the hockey sense. And yeah, that stuff matters. It's your foot in the door.

But talent is just a ticket to the dance. Nothing more.

Think about all those players you've seen in junior hockey. Raw tools. Raw potential. But here's the thing about potential - it's just another word for "not there yet."

The interesting part? What happens next.

When scouts watch players, they're not just tracking points and plus-minus. They're watching the shadows. The moments when:

• You're down three goals

• Coach cuts your ice time

• Your teammate needs support

• Nobody's watching

Because character isn't what you do in the spotlight. It's what you do in the shadows.

But here's the real secret - the part nobody talks about:

Habits.

Not goals. Not dreams. Not talent.

Habits.

I'm talking about the daily decisions that turn potential into performance:

• Making the right choice at 9 PM on a Friday

• Taking detailed notes in video sessions

• Treating every practice rep like it's game 7

• Being early, staying late

• Eating for performance, not pleasure

• Sleeping for recovery, not convenience

Here's what this means for you...

You're chasing a dream that only a few will catch. But the formula isn't complicated:

1. Your talent opens doors

2. Your character gets people to believe in you

3. Your habits determine how far you'll go

So ask yourself this:

Are your habits worthy of your dreams?

Because talent without character is a waste. Character without habits is just good intentions. But when you combine all three?

That's when potential becomes professional. That's when dreams become destiny. That's when "maybe someday" becomes "welcome to the show."

- Mike

PS: Every year I see players with more talent than they know what to do with. But the ones who make it? They're not always the most talented.

They're the ones who turn "someday" into "today" - one habit at a time.

The Mail Bag ✉️

Ian asked: "My son just got a verbal commitment from a D1 program. But I'm confused - what exactly does this mean? And how 'real' is it?"

Let me break this down simply:

A verbal commitment is like a hockey marriage proposal. Both sides say "I do" but nobody's signed the papers yet.

What it IS:

• A serious handshake agreement between your son and the program

• A signal to other schools that your son is "off the market"

• A huge milestone worth celebrating

What it's NOT:

• Legally binding (either side can walk away)

• A guarantee of playing time

• A locked-in scholarship amount

Here's why this matters...

Until your son signs his National Letter of Intent, nothing is set in stone. But there's an unwritten code in college hockey - verbal commitments are taken seriously.

Could the coach back out? Yes. Could your son back out? Yes. Do either of these happen often? No.

Why? Because reputation matters in hockey. Coaches who break verbals struggle to recruit.

Alright, that's all I’ve got for this week! Hope you enjoyed it.

If you found this helpful, please give it a share— it means a lot to me and tell your hockey friends to subscribe!

Mike