“Every day is a great day for hockey. You just have to be in the moment and give it your best.” — Mario Lemieux
In the world of hockey, one of the biggest challenges players face is finding a way to perform at their best consistently. It’s easy to have a great game now and then, but if you want to be noticed by scouts and truly stand out, you need to make those peak performances your regular standard, not just a rare moment of brilliance. Here’s how you can do it.
1. Focus on the Now and Take It One Shift at a Time
The most important thing you can do to be consistent is to stay in the present moment. When you’re on the ice, the only thing that matters is the shift you’re currently playing. Don’t worry about the last shift where you made a mistake, or the upcoming shift where you might face a tougher opponent. When you focus on the “here and now,” you’ll be more in control, and you’ll find that your game becomes smoother and more consistent.
Why This Matters: The present moment is the only place where you have power. When you stay focused on what’s happening right now, you’re more likely to make the right plays, react quickly, and keep up your energy.
Tip: Before you hop on the ice, remind yourself, “One shift at a time.” It’ll help you stay locked into the present and keep distractions away.
2. Learn to Accept When Things Don’t Go As Planned
Hockey is unpredictable, and sometimes, things just don’t go your way. Maybe you miss an easy pass, let in a goal, or take a bad penalty. It happens to everyone, even the best players in the world. The key is how you respond to these moments. Instead of beating yourself up, learn to accept that mistakes are part of the game. Use them as learning opportunities.
Why This Matters: Accepting your mistakes helps you move on faster. When you get stuck on what went wrong, you waste energy and lose focus, which can throw off your entire game. But when you accept it, learn from it, and let it go, you build resilience and bounce back stronger.
Tip: After a mistake, take a deep breath, acknowledge what happened, and tell yourself, “Next shift, I’ll be mor effective than last shift.” This mindset will help you grow and be more consistent.
3. Consistency Is What Scouts Are Looking For
Scouts aren’t just looking for players who have one amazing game; they’re looking for players who can deliver solid performances game after game. They want to see that you can handle pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and perform well in all situations. This is why consistency is so important. When you make your peak performance your norm, you prove that you have what it takes to play at a higher level.
Why This Matters: Anyone can have one great game, but only those who stay consistent show that they’re ready for the next level. Consistency shows that you can handle the challenges, pressure, and expectations that come with higher-level hockey.
Tip: Set small goals for each shift, each period, and each game. By focusing on smaller, manageable goals, you can build up to more consistent performances.
4. Develop Resilience to Handle the Ups and Downs
Every player faces challenges, slumps, injuries, and tough losses. How you handle these moments is what separates the good from the great. Resilience means being able to bounce back and stay focused even when things don’t go as planned. When you become resilient, you don’t let one bad shift, game, or week ruin your confidence or performance.
Why This Matters: Resilient players keep pushing forward, no matter what. They don’t let setbacks define them, and they’re always looking for ways to improve. This is the mindset that helps you stay consistent and grow as a player.
Tip: When you face a setback, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Use it as fuel to come back even stronger in your next shift or game.
Final Thoughts
Consistency isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, doing your best, and learning from every experience. When you focus on the present, take one shift at a time, accept mistakes as part of the game, and build resilience, you’ll find that your peak performances start becoming the norm. This is the mindset that will not only help you grow as a player but will also catch the eye of scouts who are looking for players who can deliver day in and day out.
So next time you hit the ice, remember, it’s not about having one amazing game, perhaps, it’s about being consistently great, one shift at a time.
