“Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.” – Rocky Balboa
In hockey, just like in life, things don’t always go the way we want. You might miss a save, lose an important game, or not make the team you hoped for. These moments can be tough and feel like failures, but the truth is, they’re a normal and necessary part of the journey to becoming the best player you can be.
1. Failure Is a Teacher
Every mistake you make on the ice teaches you something. When you mess up, it’s an opportunity to look at what went wrong and learn how to improve. Maybe you didn’t position yourself correctly, or perhaps you lost focus for just a second. These small moments of failure can help you recognize areas where you can grow, making you a stronger player in the long run.
Ask Yourself: What can I learn from my last shift, game or practice that will help me in the future?
2. Building Mental Toughness
Facing disappointment can make you mentally stronger. Hockey is a fast-paced, high-pressure game, and every player—whether a goalie or forward—will experience moments of frustration. How you respond to these moments matters more than the mistake itself. Each time you pick yourself up after a failure, you’re training your mind to handle pressure and bounce back quickly.
Ask Yourself: How can I stay focused and positive, even after a tough loss or mistake?
3. Improving Through Practice
Think about it this way: no one becomes great without practice, and practice means making mistakes. If you didn’t make mistakes, you’d never know what to work on. Failure shows you exactly where you need to focus your efforts. It’s a signal that something can be improved, and with that knowledge, you can become more effective each time you step onto the ice.
Ask Yourself: What part of my game can I focus on improving next?
4. Setting Realistic Goals
Sometimes we set goals that are too high and get disappointed when we don’t reach them right away. Remember, improvement takes time. Setting smaller, realistic goals and celebrating those achievements can help keep you motivated. When setbacks happen, you’ll be able to adjust and keep moving forward.
Ask Yourself: What small goal can I set for myself this week to help me stay on track?
5. Great Players Fail Too
Every great hockey player has experienced failure. The best players don’t let these moments define them. Instead, they use failure as fuel to get better. If you’re failing, it means you’re pushing your limits and trying new things—which is exactly what you need to do to grow.
Ask Yourself: How can I use failure as motivation to keep working hard?
6. It’s Part of the Process
Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of the process. The road to being an excellent hockey player is filled with ups and downs. Those who succeed are the ones who embrace the challenges, learn from them, and keep working hard.
Ask Yourself: How can I change my mindset to see failure as a stepping stone to success?
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
Disappointments and failures are a normal part of hockey and life. Instead of fearing them, welcome them as part of your journey to excellence. Every time you fall, you get a chance to stand back up, stronger than before.
By learning from your mistakes, staying mentally tough, and setting realistic goals, you can turn every disappointment into a step forward. Remember, the best players didn’t get there without some setbacks along the way, and neither will you!