Getting to the gold medal game at the world juniors is quite an accomplishment. But it’s too bad that when it’s over there will be one team that is crushed and the other will be over the moon. It’s weird but true that the winner of the silver medal will feel worse than the winner of the bronze medal when it’s all said and done.
Either way, there is no denying the skill, talent, endurance, and toughness that it takes to compete at this level and then add the pressure of an international event where the world is watching and hockey is being played at the highest levels by kids not even 20 years old! … well all I can say is wow!
But that’s not what I want to share today … What I want to share is what’s going through the minds of the gold medal winners and the silver medal winners the day after such a hard-fought game.
So let me share with you what I believe is going through the minds of all the players that played last night.
Thoughts of the Gold Medal Winners - USA
- oh my God, I can’t believe we won
- we have worked so hard for the past year to get to this point, we definitely deserve the win
- the guys on this team are amazing and I am so glad I got to be a part of this
- the coaches put together the perfect plan for this tournament and we got it done
- I know my friends and family are proud of of what we accomplished
- I want to savor this moment, what an incredible feeling
- the other team was an amazing collection of talented and tough players, my hats off to them
- this was another incredible experience and I’ll never forget it
- now it’s time to get back to work – tomorrow is another day and my team needs me
Thoughts of the Gold Medal Winners - Canada
- oh my God, I can’t believe we lost
- we have worked so hard for the past year to get to this point, we definitely don’t deserve the loss
- the guys on this team are amazing and I am so glad I got to be a part of this
- the coaches put together the perfect plan for this tournament and we just didn’t get it done
- I know my friends and family are proud of of what we accomplished
- I want to remember this moment and learn from it
- the other team was an amazing collection of talented and tough players, my hats off to them
- this was another incredible experience and I’ll never forget it
- now it’s time to get back to work – tomorrow is another day and my team needs me
Having been on both the winning and losing sides of championship games (as a coach and admittedly not at this level), the amazing thing to see is how close these guys are in their mindset and expectations about hockey and about their future.
Look at the thoughts these players have. Whether they won or lost, their thoughts are almost exactly the same.
Guys at this level are crushed when they lose a gold medal game and elated when they win. But they also know this is just a stop along their journey, and there’s a bunch of work to do if they want to stay on the path to being a pro.
It’s this mindset that makes them so special. It’s what allowed them to develop their talents and play at a high level that gave them the opportunity to even be in this situation in the first place.
It’s not just the hours on the ice and in the gym, it’s understanding how diet and sleep affect their development and performance. It’s understanding the mental toughness skills of focus and composure. It’s preparing deliberately and being a relentless competitor in everything they do.
These guys are special to be sure. But they’re not doing anything that others can’t do if they put their heart, mind, body, and soul into what they want and where they want to go.
I love this time of year because you’re halfway through the season and you’ve gelled as a team. You just came off the holiday break and are gearing up for the stretch run. I know it’s not just me. Watching hockey being played at the level of the World Juniors is a huge inspiration for every player and coach who is committed to being the best.
Use the incredible energy and inspiration that comes out of the World Juniors and motivate yourself to have a kick-ass second half to the season.
How good can you be for the rest of the season?
How hard will you work in practice and in games to be the best you can be?
Challenge your teammates and inspire your coaches with your enhanced competitive attitude to make a difference for your team down the stretch.
You say you want to be the best. Well, you’ve just seen the best at the World Juniors.
Get to work!
Your future hockey self is waiting for you!
Kevin L. Willis, PhD
Sport Psychology Consultant
Peak Performance Coach
Level 5 USA Hockey Coach