IT ONLY TAKES A TINY SPARK, TO IGNITE A MIGHTY 10, 000 HOUR FIRE
Posted: 2/18/2009 8:42:03 PM
I was watching the 2009 NHL All Star game and received a call from former Phoenix Polar Bear great Tyler “Rammer” Ramsey. Rammer started going on and on about Jonathan Toews.
“Can you believe that kid,” beamed Rammer. “He started hockey at your hockey camp 16 years ago, you coached him for a season and now he is an NHL All Star and captain of the Chicago Blackhawks! Can you believe how great a player and leader he has become?”
Jonathan Toews is an NHL All Star and Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks because of Jonathan Toews and his family. Jonathan is a great example of the 10,000 hour Rule x 10. That young man poured in the hours from a very young age.
Rammer then started going on about Arizona players Luke Moffatt (USNDTP), Colten St. Clair (Fargo USHL, Zach Larazza (2009 USNDTP), Dusty Collins (Manitoba Moose AHL) and Tyler Haskins (Bridgeport AHL) and tried to assign more responsibility. More young men I have coached and who have applied the 10,000 hour rule x 10.
However the one guy I might be tempted to take some credit for is Rammer.
Early in November 2001 I received a call on my cell phone. “Hoody, I think I need new line mates, my current line has no chemistry.” Rammer had lost patience and was losing confidence and FAILING BACKWARDS. I said to Rammer that “we are not changing lines without our top player having a positive attitude and providing leadership.” “Furthermore, he should stop thinking and start shooting the puck under the bar.” Rammer went on to score a remarkable 165 points in 70 games, tops in the US for Junior Hockey and lead the Polar Bears to a National Silver Medal. What Happened? What was different? How did Rammer FAIL FORWARD? rather than BACKWARD? Rammer finally stopped blaming others and took responsibility. He stopped repeating mistakes and learned from them. He recognized that failure is a part of progress. He developed a positive attitude and was determined to never fail again. More importantly, Rammer did not quit, he persevered!
Tyler Ramsey, Polar Bear Hockey legend, College Graduate, Phoenix Fire Department Fire Fighter, married to Megan and expecting their first child this summer. On second thought, just another 10,000 hour guy x 10!!