"The Post-Post SeasoN"

We live in a day and age where we get to see every “miced up”, hot mic”, off-ice intermission, slo-mo, zoomed-in version of almost anything these guys do today.

Including, but not limited to, the off-Ice celebrations.

Despite the season being over, playoffs being done, and champions crowned — the season isn’t quite over.

The champagne bottles, the cigars, the beers, the late nights, the early mornings, the Brad Marchand Instagram stories...

…We’re now in the “post-post-season.”

I think now exactly what we’re getting to see is what we could have seen every year this trophy’s ever been won since the beginning of time. We see a group of guys committed toward this ultimate goal, achieving it and getting to have both a big sigh of relief and, as we’re seeing, the opportunity to let their hair down.

As I said, I think this is what we’d all expect of a championship winning team — it’s just that now WE GET TO SEE IT.

I think it’s getting to a point where we actually don’t get to miss anything. The cameras are always rolling, highlighting and showing the most — how do you say — explicit version of what you probably knew was happening.

Now, look — I’ve had my fair share of beers. I’ve had both the privilege of getting to experience these celebrations, as well as partaken in a version of drinking totally unrelated to any form of celebration. My relationship with the sauce is — for the most part — not especially glorious.

Now, I say this as a retired hockey player who has been there — but more so as someone who is concerned for the precedent being set as we see these behaviours being glorified.

Many questions arise:

-What are we trying to model?

-What are the kids making of this?

And lastly,

-Is “being, a good role model, a leader, and a good student” being trumped by “beauty status”?

You see..

It was the case that when I was growing up through the game, I had no understanding of my idols’ behavior.

What I looked up to is the hard work, commitment, dedication, and result of what was, what I could only assume to be — the hard work and discipline that allowed them to play at the highest level.

And so I fear. I fear for the kids.

I’m not shaming these professional athletes.

But I fear for what message is being sent and received by younger generations and am assuming the position that we as athletes have a responsibility to set a good example.

So how do we do that when the cameras don’t stop? Because it’s not just about what I could say; it’s about what I do — and what others see me doing.

And so, I don’t I have all the answers. In fact, I’m not sure I have any right now

But — what I know and believe to be true is this:

They who, in high school, chose sport over the booze, worked hard, disciplined themselves toward a goal, and ensured their priorities were set based on what they could and could not do — saw those athletes greatest success.

I commend the likes of a Brad Marchand for his on-ice play. I believe, having won the Stanley Cup — he can enjoy the celebrations.

But I believe we as leaders, parents, coaches of athletes must ask ourselves how we’ll communicate to our kids what they’re seeing online in what I’m calling the “post–post-hockey season.”

AND SO I’LL LEAVE THE KIDS WITH THIS.

Work hard, have fun.

The booze, the fun, the partying, and the BS will ALWAYS be there.

But your dreams and the opportunities that you may have — those adventures you could carve out for yourselves — if you over-concern yourself with the BS right now…

..Might not always be.

…

Priorities, man…

Thanks so much. for reading!

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