Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Barberio Scores in Game 1 of AHl Playoffs versus Portland Pirates

Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School guest instructor Mark Barberio scored a goal in the Syracuse Crunch first playoff game of the Calder Cup playoffs. The Crunch won 4-3 in over time, Barberio scored the Crunch's third goal, giving them a lead in the game.

The Crunch also won game 2 of the series and are presently up 2 games to 0 versus the Portland Pirates.

Barberio and his Crunch team mates were on the Norfolk Admirals last season and they were Calder Cup Champions! Here's to the Syracuse Crunch winning this season!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Mental tools to Help you Succeed on the ice: Cognitive Distortions


" you know the old saying, the guy that thinks he can and the guy who thinks he can't, they are both right!"

Our friend at Warrior Mind Training, Gregg Swanson, sends me a weekly newsletter which offers tools to help get mental obstacles out of the way to help us succeed at what we are doing. At the Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School, we receive students from all over and this year we will have a student from Turks and Caicos so the word of the camp is spreading internationally.

Some of these students come with past experiences that suggest that they are not as strong hockey players as others because they have gone through try out processes or were part of teams where they felt their roles were les significant than their team mates and they start believing this...while we see a player that requires further development...

All that to say, this piece on Cognitive Distortions really applies here to these players...and I am posting this because it will be a topic that we cover in our Championship Habits this summer.

So, what are Cognitive Distortions and why should you care?
Cognitive Distortions are where we focus on particular aspects of an experience (often the 'negative' ones) and ignore or discount other aspects - thereby "distorting" our view of the world.
People are usually unaware of how they distort their experience with the words they use. Cognitive Distortions not only limit our choices, but can lead to unnecessary suffering - and sometimes even make a situation worse when we act on incorrect assumptions.
As a component to developing mental strength, Cognitive Distortions are a great opportunity to raise our awareness and challenge our limiting thought processes, allowing us to dig into the limiting beliefs we have about ourselves, others and the world.
Why do we "distort" our experience? Well, it's often (but not always) unconscious. When we use words to attempt to convey the richness of our experience and thoughts, information gets "lost in translation." A limited range of words can only attempt to describe the infinite possibilities of our experience. There are also two other major ways we lose the richness of our experience - "Generalizing" and "Deleting" information - which we will talk about separately.
Here is a brief list of the 10 Most Common Cognitive Distortions:
  • All or Nothing Thinking - also known as black or white thinking.
  • Over-generalization - viewing a single negative experience as a never-ending pattern of defeat.
  • Minimizing or Magnifying (also Catastrophizing) - Playing up or playing down one particular aspect of an experience to our own detriment.
  • Using "Shoulds", "Musts", "Ought tos" - Criticizing ourselves or others and then feeling guilt (or anger/frustration)
  • Labelling (or Mislabeling) - Turning a single experience into a sweeping judgment, "He's a jerk", "I'm a failure"
  • Jumping to conclusions - Making assumptions with little evidence to back it up.
  • Mind-Reading - making assumptions about what others are thinking
  • Fortune Telling - making assumptions about what the future holds
  • Discounting the positive - Anyone could have done it, or it doesn't count...
  • Blame and Personalization - Over-blaming ourselves, or blaming others and denying our role in a situation
  • Emotional Reasoning - I feel something, so it must be true
  • Mental Filter - Dwelling on one small thing and allowing that to spoil our experience
Check out the *FREE* Cognitive Distortions List Tool for a handy reference list of the 10 Most Common Cognitive Distortions. This mental strength tool comes complete with helpful descriptions and examples of how they are used!
Why Black or White Thinking May be Keeping Keep You Stuck!
'Black or White' or 'All or Nothing' thinking is one of the commonest issues I see with my coaching clients. When a client is stuck - it's often because they are looking at the world through this Black or White thinking filter - called a Cognitive Distortion.
So, the big problem with Black or White thinking is that it forces a 'Grey' world full of possibilities, options and ideas into just two choices - 'my way or the highway', 'success or failure'. Let's say you're unhappy in your job. Black or White thinking could look like, "I hate my boss, so now I have to get a new job" or "I'm not enjoying this role, so I need to change careers". It leaves two possibilities, 'stay or go'.
This doesn't consider other potential options like finding a new role in the same organization - or doing the same role in a different organization. Or finding meaning outside of work. Or even talking to someone about the role and seeing if some of the unpleasant aspects can be delegated or somehow mitigated.
So, when you REMAIN stuck it's often because NEITHER of the options - in this case to 'stay or go' - is palatable. And when neither option is palatable - you choose neither - and remain stuck!
Now, Black or White thinking CAN be helpful. It can force us to make decisions when we've been dallying. It can help us to 'chunk up' and find clarity in complicated situations. But there is a cost. By 'chunking up' to simple 'either / or' options we lose essential nuances and details - and limit ourselves. Whereas details and 'shades of grey' give us a wide range of options and flexibility.
Questions to ask when you're stuck in Black or White thinking include:
  • Suppose for a moment that you have all the money/ support/ time/ energy/ confidence/ health you need. What other options/ways are there of looking at this?
  • Think of someone you truly respect and admire. How might they look differently at this situation?
  • What other possibilities/explanations/ideas are there that you haven't thought of yet?
  • Underneath it all, what is it that you really, really want?
Remember: Even when we stay still or remain 'stuck' it's still a choice - even if it's an unconscious one.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Story About 26 former Moncton Wildcats playing professional Hockey including Guest Instructor Mark Barberio and former Tiger Jason Demers




Story About 26 former Moncton Wildcats playing professional Hockey including Guest Instructor Mark Barberio

Look around the NHL. You will find 13 former Moncton Wildcats playing for a dozen different teams.

 
Look around the American Hockey League. You will come across 13 more former Wildcats suiting up for 10 different teams.
That’s 26 former Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players who are now making a living in the top two professional leagues in North America. Pretty impressive stuff. And there are plenty more former Wildcats now earning a paycheque in other professional leagues on this continent and in Europe.
“For sure, one of the best ways to sell your program to prospects you’re trying to recruit is when you can point to not only team success, but also the success that players have upon leaving your program,” said Wildcats director of hockey operations Danny Flynn.
“The fact our organization has been able to do a good job of developing players is something we certainly take a lot of pride in. We look at the number of players that we’ve helped develop for the NHL and other professional leagues. We look at our record of developing a lot of high-end defencemen for pro hockey.”
Two former Moncton players have captured the Stanley Cup — defenceman Francois Beauchemin with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and forward Brad Marchand with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
Corey Crawford, who spent his four-year QMJHL career with the Wildcats, was a third goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks when they won the Stanley Cup in 2010. He played one game for Chicago in the regular season that campaign and didn’t get into a playoff game. He became a full-time NHLer the next season.
Beauchemin (Anaheim), Marchand (Boston) and Crawford (Chicago) are among the 13 former Wildcats currently in the NHL.
The others are defencemen Johnny Oduya (Chicago), Andrew MacDonald (New York Islanders), Keith Yandle (Phoenix Coyotes), Jason Demers (San Jose Sharks), Mark Barberio (Tampa Bay Lightning) and David Savard (Columbus Blue Jackets) and forwards Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (Colorado Avalanche), Gabriel Bourque (Nashville Predators), Steve Bernier (New Jersey Devils) and Dmitrij Jaskin (St. Louis Blues).
Jaskin led Moncton and finished fifth in QMJHL scoring this season with 99 points, including 46 goals, in 51 games. He made his NHL debut with St. Louis on Tuesday night.
In addition to the above list of names, there’s Tampa Bay assistant coach Daniel Lacroix and Tampa Bay goaltending coach Frantz Jean. They held those same titles in Moncton and used the QMJHL as a launching pad to the NHL.
Defenceman Jonathan Racine (San Antonio Rampage) and forwards Phillip Danault (Rockford IceHogs) and Yannick Veilleux (Peoria Rivermen) are among the 13 former Moncton players currently in the AHL. They began their pro careers as soon as the Wildcats were eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs.
Other former Wildcats now in the AHL are defenceman Brandon Gormley (Portland Pirates) and forwards Jerome Samson and Matt Marquardt (both Charlotte Checkers), Marek Hrivik and Kelsey Tessier (both Connecticut Whale), Philippe Dupuis and Zach Sill (both Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins), Kirill Kabanov (Bridgeport Sound Tigers), Nicolas Deschamps (Hershey Bears) and Tim Spencer (Springfield Falcons).
John Torchetti was Chicago’s assistant coach when it won the Stanley Cup in 2010 and he’s now head coach of the AHL’s Houston Aeros. He was Moncton’s head coach in 2006-07.
“We’ve helped put a lot of players into professional hockey in our (18-year) franchise history and the current crop is evidence of that,” said Flynn.
“It’s a signal to players and their parents that our organization does a good job of developing players. You hope that helps attract players to your program.”
The two highest-profile players that Moncton is now trying to recruit are defencemen Michael Matheson and Anthony Florentino. Matheson will be 19 years old and Florentino will be 18 next season.
Matheson, who’s from Pointe Claire, Que., is coming off an impressive rookie season with Boston College. He was selected in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2012 NHL draft. It seems the only real chance the Wildcats have of landing him is if Florida signs him and pushes him to come here.
Matheson was the consensus top player available in the 2010 QMJHL draft, but he slipped to the second round because he made clear his intention to go the U.S. college hockey route. Moncton acquired his QMJHL rights from the Shawinigan Cataractes in a trade.
Moncton selected Florentino in the 10th round of the 2012 QMJHL draft knowing full well that he intended to pursue U.S. college hockey. The American has committed to Providence College for next season.
“We’ve had our former players in the pros get in touch with players we’re trying to bring to Moncton,” said Flynn. “It sometimes really helps in the recruiting process when one of your former players that went on to the pros contacts someone on your behalf and recommends the Moncton Wildcats.
“We’ve also been fortunate that some former members of the Wildcats organization have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. That certainly helps legitimize your program, especially for kids in the United States.”
■ Eight teams remain alive in the East Coast Hockey League playoffs. Three former Moncton players are in the championship hunt — goaltender Louis Dominque and defenceman Jonathan Narbonne (both Gwinnett Gladiators of Georgia) and defenceman David Walker (Ontario Reign).
Other former Moncton players who were in the ECHL this season are goaltender Shane Owen (Utah Grizzlies), defenceman James Sanford (Orlando Solar Bears) and forwards Phil Mangan (Bakersfield Condors in California) and David-Alexandre Beauregard (Elmira Jackals in New York).
Four teams are alive in the Central Hockey League playoffs. Former Wildcats forwards Adam Pineault (Allen Americans in Texas) and Josh Hepditch (Missouri Mavericks) have a shot at the championship.
Former Wildcats forwards Scott Brannon (Rapid City Rush in South Dakota) and Jean-Philipp Chabot (Denver Cutthroats) also suited up in the CHL this season.
■ Four former Moncton players made a living this season in the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. They are defencemen Dmitri Kalinin and Oskars Bartulis and forwards Martins Karsums and Patrick Thoresen.
Other former Wildcats in professional leagues overseas this season are goaltenders Nicola Riopel (England) and Josh Tordjman (Italy) and forwards Bruce Graham (England), Stephane Goulet (Denmark), Patrick Yetman (Sweden) and Martin Bartek (Czech Republic).
Former Wildcats head coaches Ted Nolan and Tom Coolen are now working together behind the bench of the Latvian national senior men’s team.
■ Neil Hodge is a Times & Transcript sports reporter who covers the Moncton Wildcats

Guest Instructor Barberio and his Syracuse Crunch team mates are East Division Champs in the AHL

Tiger Paw Guest Instructor Mark Barberio and his Syracuse Crunch team mates are East Division champions despite the promotion of seven players ( Alex Killorn, Mark Barberio, Cory Conacher, Richard Panik,Ondrej Palat, Radko Gudas, Tyler Johnson)   to their NHL parent Tampa Bay Lightning and their head coach Jon Cooper

This marks only the second time in team history that the Crunch have clinched the division championship

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Instructor Nutkevitch's Season Comes to a close as Wichta sweeps Brahmas

Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School instructor Sy Nutkevitch had his season come to an end last night as the Wichta Thunder defeated his Fort Worth Brahmas 3-1 to sweep the semi final best of seven series.

Sy will return to Montreal shortly, heal from the bumps and bruises of a long hockey season and be ready to join our Tiger Paw students when the hockey school opens on June 25th.



Friday, April 12, 2013

Tiger Paw Guest Instructor Barberio Selected AHL ALL STAR

 
Second Team All Stars
Mark Barberio, Defense (Syracuse Crunch): Last year’s winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman, Mark Barberio has notched eight goals, 32 assists and a plus-7 rating in 70 games for Syracuse this season, his third as a professional. The 23-year-old Montreal native has amassed 23 of his points on the power play, third-most among AHL defensemen, and leads all AHL rearguards in shots on goal (206). A 2008 draft pick by Tampa Bay, Barberio made his NHL debut with the Lightning on Apr. 9.

Guest Instructor Mark Barberio Making his first forway into the NHL

What a week! This week Tiger Paw Guest instructors Mark Barberio and Alex Killorn received great news. Killer scored on Sunday April 7 to reach the top 10 of rookie scoring for the 2013 season, not bad for a guy who spent the first 10 games in the American Hockey League!

And, Mark Barberio was called up Monday to Tampa Bay Ligthning to make his NHL debut on Tuesday April 9th versus Ottawa. Then, his second game came on Thursday April 11 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The callup follows another season where Mark was selected to the American Hockey League All Star game, he has accumulated 8 goals, 32 assist for 40 points in 70 games with the Syracuse Crunch...not bad production for a defenseman.

Of course, all of you will remember, Mark was selected most outstanding defenseman of the American Hockey League last season.

" Hey, we could not be happier for Mark and Alex! What terrific news for the guys!" offered Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School Director Chris Sides.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Congratulations to our 5 Lac St Louis Selects on Dodge Cup Gold!



Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School salutes its five Lac St Louis Selects students who won gold at the Dodge Cup yesterday.

Congratulations to Goalie Emily Morrelli, defenseman Megan Grant, Samantha Tosi and forwards Stephanie Chouchani and Juliana Classen!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

5 Tiger Paw Students Reach Dodge Cup Gold Medal Game

Five Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School students have reached the Dodge Cup 2013 gold medal game today with their Lac St Louis Selects team. Goalie Emily Morrelli, defenseman Megan Grant, Samantha Tosi and forwards Stephanie Chouchani and Juliana Classen will faceoff today at 15h00 at Gaetan Boucher Arena in St Hubert.

"These girls worked hard all summer to prepare for this season and prepare for this game!" said Tiger Paw Director Chris Sides." Six weeks in the summer, doing dryland with Yves and Eyal, on ice skating hard through the drills while some of their friends were at the beach, or on summer vacation...these girls prepared and now their work has got them to where they want to be!"


Instructor Nutkevitch and his Texas team mates Reach Semi Finals

Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School instructor Sy Nutkevitch  (#10 in photo above)and his Texas Brahmas team mates defeated the Quad city Mallards 1-0 to advance to the Central Hockey League semi finals versus the Wichita Thunder.

Nutkevitch was selected to the all rookie team and was a runner-up in the voting for rookie of the year in the Central Hockey League.

"Sy's experience in Texas is only going to enhance the Tiger Paw experience for our students this summer," Chris Sides, Director of the Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School said." His week with championship habits will chronicle this experience and the drills and coaching that Sy received will be brought to the Hockey school for the students to benefit from, really looking forward to his return this summer for our students!"

Friday, April 5, 2013

Alex Cote Returns for Another Summer

Former Lac St Louis Tiger and present day Tiger Paw instructor Alex Cote is returning for another summer at the Tiger Paw Elite Summer Hockey School. Alex is joining us for a fourth summer.

His experience in Junior  with the Halifax Mooseheads, Joliette trafick, Summerside West Capitals and Esetevan Bruins has given Alex a distinct knowledge of the different approaches to the game that is found across this country.
"Alex is going to make an excellent head coach one day," says Tiger Paw director Chris Sides." Alex has a sound knowledge base in the game, has a strong ability to communicate to the kids and has a passion for the game."