In honor of National Coaches Day, a few Nashville Predators shared the words of wisdom a coach has given them that has helped both on and off the ice.
In honor of National Coaches Day, a few Nashville Predators shared the words of wisdom a coach has given them that has helped both on and off the ice.
October 6 is National Coaches Day, a day to celebrate the coaches who teach and inspire us to do our best. Over the course of an NHL career, players have a myriad of coaches who help them along on their journey to achieving their hockey dreams. To commemorate this day, some of the Nashville Predators shared the most helpful or encouraging wisdom they received from coaches throughout their careers.
Colton Sissons
My first year playing in the WHL for the Kelowna Rockets under Ryan Huska who is head coach of the Calgary Flames now really taught me how important the details of the game are. Just being sharp all over the ice, whether you're making a play offensively or you need to make a big play defensively. He really preached that. It all mattered equally. I definitely took that at a young age that kind of kept along the way here.
Tyson Barrie
One thing that I learned early was from my dad who was my coach. I had a really good game when I was kind of talking about myself to my friends, how good I was. He and I were in the car and I remember he kind of turned the music down and yelled, "Don't talk about yourself! Let other people talk about you." Just kind of a good lesson in humility and it just stuck with me. Try to stay humble and not get too high on yourself.
Michael McCarron
I've got two of them. I've got Dale Hunter in London for the London Knights. He was a huge help for my offensive game learning the pro style game. He took a lot of care, to me he wanted to make sure that I would reach the next level and he was a great coach for me.
And then DJ Smith as well, head coach of to the Ottawa Senators. He helped me tremendously in Oshawa. We won a championship there and he helped my defensive game tremendously as well. If I didn't have those two coaches, I don't think I'd be where I am today.
Cody Glass
I had a lot of coaches in the past. I feel like they've all just kind of planted something in my game. I can go back and look at all my coaches and pick out one little thing, but I think the biggest thing just this year was don't think when you're out there. I think that's a lot of players, young players especially. Do they think a little bit too much? So for me to just go with that clean mind and not think, just play the game was great advice.
Juuso Pärssinen
I was big time injured for like one and a half years when I was 15. I had the same coach at that time. During the whole thing he was just trying to make me believe that I'd be back then. He was there when I needed it.
Tommy Novak
I would say my trainer back home that I started working with. I used to work with him back in high school and after I left college and turned pro. He's helped me a lot with my athleticism and speed on the ice. I'd say he's been a guy who's helped me off the ice at times to get me to this level - Ted Johnson.
Luke Evangelista
It's hard to pick one. I've been blessed with some awesome coaches over the years. Honestly, I think one of the biggest pieces of advice I got was just never get too high, never get too low throughout your hockey career. Throughout your hockey career there's just so many ups and downs. You're not going to be successful if you're riding the highs too much or riding the lows too far down. Like I said, I had some awesome coaches — K.T. [Karl Taylor], Dale Hunter in London, and even my coach from minor hockey.
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