Kudos to UNB Men's Hockey - Development Should Never End.

The University of New Brunswick Men's hockey team won another national championship this past Sunday.  To beat the likes of Queens, Acadia and Saskatchewan, you can imagine that they had to play remarkably well.  This was arguably the best team that UNB has ever assembled - at least in the 30 years that I've been watching.  However, what impressed me most is the player development that has taken place.

At this level there must be a temptation to simply recruit the best available players and plug them into a system.  Now I don't have 'people' on the inside or know any players, but  the constant improvement of the players in all facets of the game is plain to see.  Each year players get better and it is a real testimony to the program.  There must be a great deal of emphasis on individual player development as well as the team as a whole.

That said, isn't getting better what drives and motivates all true athletes.  We love a challenge and are committed to improve which motivates us to work hard.  We aren't measuring performance in steps taken, more likely litres sweat.  This is one of the big wins of sport.  It also points to one of the big holes in the Canadian Sport System.  All of our coaching programs are focused on youth or the development of high performance athletes.  Once you enter the 'weekend warrior' group, no more proper coaching.  Now you have to rely on the internet, hearsay, the old timer who always shows up or put your trust in what the top performer has to say.