Selflessness and Ice Hockey

There’s a mindset that’s instilled in ice hockey players which I feel should accompany the social-emotional growth of early childhood education. It stems from a larger perspective on the game itself, and on life. With the right coaching, we can train our brains to see the big picture.

I’m talking about the art of voluntary self-sacrifice. It requires you to be present and put others before you. Ice hockey is known for this, as are most heavy-contact team-sports.

[Check out this BleacherReport for the top 15! Graphic warning: NSFW]

Now I realize that this is a fine line, so let me try to clarify.

In ice hockey, the mentality is: do whatever you can for the greater good of the team. Do anything you can to help your squad come out on top with the win. To put the collective before yourself.

This may include using your body to block a shot, riding the pine as a 4th line filler, or playing through an injury (if capable). Even the backup goalie, who watches from the bench the whole game, helps out by opening the door for players coming off the ice. A voluntary self-sacrifice.

“When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the one on…