Head coach Pete DeBoer's speech in Cedar Park was straight to the point.
DALLAS - The latest release of the Stars’ “Open Ice” series provides a behind-the-scenes look at head coach Pete DeBoer’s message to players when training camp started last month.
DeBoer addresses the group in a hotel ballroom, setting the tone for the preparation to come.
“Big expectations on this group… from everybody, from ourselves, from everyone on the outside,” said DeBoer. “With expectation, comes responsibility, big responsibility.”
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk3tpX0z4DI[/embed]
The veteran bench boss then proceeds to expand upon that key point by detailing those specific duties that will be guiding principles all season long.
“That includes taking care of each other on and off the ice. You truly have to be a family, not just teammates,” said DeBoer. “You’ve got to take care of each other everywhere.”
Then, it's a matter of putting in the time and effort required to "build an identity as being one of the hardest teams to play against in the League."
"You’ve got to embrace that work, not complain about it. You’ve got to embrace it. You’ve got to want that work," stressed DeBoer. "You’ve got to rally around that work. That’s our responsibility."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hCTei1wL40[/embed]
Finally, DeBoer emphasizes the importance of being humble and putting the well-being of the group ahead of individual success.
"Our last responsibility, and our most important responsibility... is to check your ego at the door. The last team standing, the only stat they care about is wins and winning the Cup," said DeBoer. "It’s not power play time or ice time or goals or assists or save percentage, it’s wins. That’s the only thing that matters, so check your ego at the door. That’s our responsibility with these expectations."
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