Coach's Corner #23

with Springfield Falcon's Asst. Coach Phil Russell

The Birds of Prey, proud members of the American Hockey League, completed their most successful weekend of hockey in the last two years. Led by the AHL Player of the Week, Zdenek Blatny, the Falcons came away with five out of six points against Hartford, Providence and Lowell. This fine weekend makes one look forward to challenges ahead and the opportunity to grow and develop to be the best that we can be.

Our organization is focused on results and does many things behind the scenes to make sure that the team is just that...a team. The general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning was in town last weekend, and these appearances certainly help the motivation factor. Players who subjugate their own goals/interests for the good of the team will benefit from those actions. Those that are self orientated, will find another road. I never seem to question our team's desire to excel and the fact that they really do give a large damn to play well for the people of Springfield and each other.

This brings up some interesting verbage on "desire' from Tampa Director of Scouting, Jake Goertsen's weekly blog. "Desire is strong, we all feel. Desire can impel us toward positive, life enhancing experiences, or it can fasten on vain and unproductive ends. Material things will never satisfy desire; only a serene spirit and a detachment from outcomes will enable us to live peacefully beside the torrent that is our desire. In itself desire is neither good nor bad. How we direct our desire, and whether we join it to our love or to our anger, determines what effect it will have on our lives. If our desire is continually unfulfilled, perhaps we should examine deeply and honestly, the direction we've allowed it to take. If achieving our desire leaves us feeling hollow, we should do the same. Desire can nourish us if we understand it as a continuous process, a part of our spiritual growth."

My daughter calls me this morning and says that she was fly fishing in Durango this morning and my response was "Did you catch anything?" Before she could answer, I tell her I am writing coaches corner and she doesn't have to answer my question as I already know she is winning doing what she is doing. It doesn't matter about how many fish.

I will tie this all up with the fact the players are winning. They are growing and developing everyday, and even if they think the practices sometimes are to hard...They are being protected and guided even when they can't understand...Yes it is a journey and all we ask is that you enjoy the ride. We will love you until you learn how to love yourselves.