The Toronto Maple Leafs

It has been a while since The Leafs won the coveted Stanley cup.

Case in Point.

1967 Toronto Maple Leafs.

I was 10. I do remember it clearly. It was amazing, it was awesome. (it was a frigging long time ago).

The "Buds".  The "Blue and White" We love them. We love to hate them just as much. It is tiresome and it has worn me out.

Let me be clear. I am a fan. I am not a band wagon jumper......I stick with them, I always have, I always will, but I have to admit, it is frustrating.

My Number 1 Pet Peeve pertaining to the Leafs?  
(other than the obvious one which of course is losing)
I hate to talk about the Leafs. I despise articles in the newspapers about the Leafs. I am tired of opinion. Every body's opinion, I am sick of. TALK RADIO!!! HATE IT! At one point in my life I did like listening to sports talk radio. Actually, I guess to some degree, I still do. Talk about basketball, baseball, lacrosse or even hockey....but please do not talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs. When I turn the radio on, if the Leafs are the subject....I am gone. Q107 - Rush "Fly By Night" (A classic). And so much more enjoyable.

Am I alone? Do you Leaf fans enjoy listening to the same rhetoric over and over and over. I mean it is endless. The radio hosts love it when the Leafs lose....it is so good for them. Open up the phone lines....the lines all light up, it never ends.

Fire Him. Hire Him. Why does this player do this? Why does he not do this. Trade Him. He is a Bum. That guy sucks. Goaltending, power forwards, we need...we don't need......yada, yada, frigging yada.

I have had it.Pick any topic, and simply insert it in any year....and it is the exact same story. Every year, every team.

I know as you read this you are thinking...."wow, this guy is bitter, he has some problems". Well, maybe true, not sure. Let me try to explain.

No matter how many times the media try to say, "don't blame us that the Leafs suck, it's not our problem.....they need to make changes, they need to do this...." and away the cycle goes again.

Here are the facts (As I see them).

• Toronto is the best hockey town in the world.
• To win the Cup in Toronto is the hockey "Holy Grail" - deny it if you like. It is a fact.
• The pressure in Toronto is ridiculous. - you are under a microscope - every player - every coach - every body - every day. It is difficult to deal with, but deal with it you must.
• Stars in Toronto (not many these days....) - but the stars are scrutinized to the nth degree. It is hard. Put the same star in a different market, you will get different results
• you are not allowed to make mistakes in Toronto....which in itself is funny...because it is all we do.
• The team has some issues....(pretty smart eh?) - we have work to do, but I don't want to hear it.

Here is my plan for my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.

Starting today, a one year ban on any media coverage or reporting of anything to do with this team. Nothing. No mindless, radio talk shows where idiots call in to "fix the team". These people cannot fix the team, otherwise, they would probably have jobs in the NHL. No talking to my friends or enemies about the Leafs. I am done, for a year. Starting in September, I will tune in the the odd game....but I will not listen to sports radio. No point in listening. I have heard it over and over and .....you get it by now. Enough already.

.....so to quote the true Leaf fans......maybe next year baby!

The Final Four

The NCAA has it right. In Basketball anyway.

The National Champion of the Division 1 Basketball is determined in what I consider, the best format in sport. Period.

 I know the purists out there will argue about the merits of a single elimination tournament, as the traditional best 2 out of 3 or 4 out of 7 playoff systems that the NHL and NBA use are the only way to really determine the best. I would disagree.

Every year in March, the tournament begins. It is called March Madness. I know a lot of you may not follow the NCAA, and a lot of you may not even be basketball fans...and if not (your loss) - that is fine, but at least have a look at this format for your sport and see what you think.

It is very simple really. The top 64 teams in the country who qualify for the tournament begin play on a Thursday and Friday. 32 games. By the end of Friday, there are 32 teams left. The basic principal is you win, you are in, you lose, good-bye. The remaining teams play again on Saturday and Sunday, by the end of Sunday....only 16 team are left............called the "Sweet Sixteen". The following weekend these remaining teams play again, with the winners moving on to the "Elite Eight".......and then after four more games we are left with "The Final Four".

It happens very quickly. It is an emotional tournament. There are upsets, amazing plays (some not so amazing) - for a basketball fan, there is nothing better. If ever there was a sport where I feel a coach makes a difference, this is it. Changing defences and adapting to other teams, is done on the fly. It is very intense, and a lot of fun.

As many upsets as there is every year, somehow the cream usually rises to the top.....and this year is no different.

Louisville Cardinals - This is their Ninth Final Four appearance.
Ohio State Buckeyes - Eleventh
Kentucky Wildcats - Fifteenth
Kansas Jayhawks - Fourteenth

This is a very solid Final Four. All of these teams have strengths, of course, that is why they are here.

Game 1 pits the Powerhouse from Kentucky playing the grinders of Louisville. On paper, The Wildcats should win this game. They are big and strong. The intangible here though is the Cardinals coach Rick Pitino. He has simply been amazing thus far, changing defences, full court presses etc. It will be fun to watch, I am cheering for Louisville.....but if I have to pick a winner I say Kentucky.

Game 2 features a couple more teams that we are not surprised to see here. Ohio State vs Kansas. This is a definite "too close to call" situation, so I am going with my gut and picking Kansas.

Both games are on Saturday night in New Orleans, with the winners determining the National Champion on Monday Night. My prediction for the winner? - Not very bold really, as I am not alone. I say the Wildcats of Kentucky will win the Crown.

It is a very exciting two week, an emotional roller coaster for fans and players, but to win an event like this is incredible. It is life changing for a lot of these kids.

I think it is such a great way to determine a "Champion" in any sport. I love it. If you have a choice on Saturday night of watching The Toronto Maple Leafs (ouch), or The NBA (and their millionaires) - why not change the channel and try some NCAA hoops, where heart and desire are front and centre in every minute of every play. Give it a try.

Coaching 101

I have coached. I don't consider myself  a "Super Coach" in any way. It depends really how you measure a coach.

Coaching is an art form. It is a skill. I have been coached by the best (and the worst).

It is even hard to list all the different "types" of coaches that there are in so many different sports.

For Example:

Teaching Coaches - John Wooden (664 wins 162 losses) College Basketball Coach (UCLA)  - A good quote from John   -    "A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment".

Screaming Coaches - Bobby Knight (NCAA Basketball) - (902 wins 371 losses) A quote from Bobby Knight -   "I told him to take a picture of his testicles so he'd have something to remember them by if he ever took another shot like the last one."

Two completely different coaching methods.....yet similar results.

The reason for this is simple. Athletes, respond differently to different coaching styles...some athletes like (and need) to be nurtured....others like discipline and thrive on the screaming of a tough coach. Everyone is different.

The other major difference for coaches to deal with ....is the level of coaching.

• House league vs Rep.
• New (young) athletes (under 7 years old) vs Older experienced kids (13-17 years old)
• Amateur vs Pro Athletes
• female vs male

It goes on and on. Always a new challenge. Always something new to learn. Never two people are the same. Never two teams are alike. You need to adapt. Good coaches do this with ease.


Challenges that coaches face.

• Professional Sports - imagine dealing with a prima donna overpaid athlete.....not easy - you try to coach Kobe Bryant, or Lebron James...a lot of these guys are uncoachable. Coaches are there to baby sit...and do interviews
• amateur sports - dealing with "interfering" parents. For you parents out there...don't get your back up....most parents are amazing and so helpful to the programs their kids are in...(some parents however - not so much)
• executives that interfere with their coach. - My advice to the execs - hire a coach that you feel fits your needs....and then please, allow him/her to coach.

Coaches that I like.
- Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma - the players like him - he is knowledgeable and a good leader. And they win hockey games.
- Bud Grant - Minnesota Vikings - I just flat out liked him.

I have been a head coach of kids teams.

I was a player coach once in Major Lacrosse. Gigantic mistake. Cannot be done...either the coach fails (which was me) or the player fails (which was also me) - or even worse....both fails....and that = a really bad night.

I was assistant coach for the 1992 Mann Cup Brampton Excelsiors.....but with players like Veltman, Tavares, and Cordingly....not so sure it was coaching (or watching).

I coached U-15 Girls Field Lacrosse - Won a Gold Medal (it was awesome) (but they text too much)

I coached U-19 Girls Field Lacrosse (helped I should say) - Had a Blast. (they text too much too)

So, although my coaching career was not a "storied" one - I do have some experience and some insights.

One thing I know for sure. The type of coaching I prefer, is behind the scenes. One on one with players, telling them about the great play they just made, or helping them understand a different thing to try. I like to work on their skills, but also, and more importantly their attitude.

As coaches, we need to remember a very important thing. Most people play a sport simply for the love of the game. We play because we love it. The most disturbing thing I have ever heard, is that someone quit playing their sport, because they didn' like the coach. That is wrong.

Yes, you need to be tough, you need to be competitive, winning is exciting, it teaches us character....but then again, so does losing. At the end of the day, at the end of the season, do your players still love the game? - I hope so. If they do not, something went wrong.

Summer is coming - the crack of the bats....the soccer pitches are filling up, football, lacrosse...millions of athletes.....and a lot of fantastic coaches.

If you are a coach........make sure your athletes love to play, and the winning will follow.

Here is a great clip, with some great coaches......click on the link and watch the video labelled
 "Movie Quotes"
http://www.passitonsports.ca/attitude.html

Big CLax News

Things are very busy in the New Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax)

Let me catch you up.

First of all, the League has great parity...there is no clear cut team as a frontrunner. The standings are incredibly tight. Should be a great finish....with only a few games remaining.

Have a look at the standings:  (courtesy of pointstreak.com)

This Thursday March 15th there is a big game between the first place Brampton Inferno visiting the GM Centre in Oshawa to play the home team Oshawa Machine.

Don't miss it.

At halftime of this game, you will get to see an exhibition of field lacrosse by the local University.  The UOIT Ridgebacks, Women's Field Lacrosse Team will be playing. Should be fun.


























Moving on.

This Saturday the Old(er) guys take the floor in Brampton at The Powerade Centre. The CLax Masters will determine the inaugural champion.

Check out final standings courtesy of www.passitonsports.ca


Game 1 - 9am - Durham vs Brampton
Game 2 - 10am - Oshawa vs Peel

Championship Game - 1pm.  Winner 1 vs Winner 2.

Later that day - More Great (important) Pro Lacrosse.

4pm  Oshawa Machine vs Brampton Inferno (the rematch)

7pm  Durham Turfdogs vs Peel Avengers

   

 

All in all should be a great few days.  Great Lacrosse. Great Prices.  Great People.


See You there!!

The Litmus Test

litmus test

n

1. (Chemistry) a test to establish the acidity or alkalinity of a mixture

2. a critical indication of future success or failure

I did not do well in chemistry.....so I am really focusing on the 2nd definition for this blog.

Every athlete has different ways to measure their success. You can, of course, use stats to start with. Goals and assists, passing yards, total receptions, championships won etc. You could go on and on with different methods of looking at your "success."

But for most great athletes, there is always a definitive "litmus test" that you want to achieve, to know that you have "arrived".

For me, in Junior A lacrosse.....I played for Mississauga, and we were not very good. We did win games here and there, but for me.....the litmus test was always Peterborough. They were the team to beat. They are what we measured how good (or in our case how bad) we really were.

In the 80's  (an awesome era for sports) - there were a few teams that would be every other teams

 "Litmus Test"

• In the NFL, it was Joe Montana and the San Fransico 49'ers.
• In the NBA, it was Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls
• In the NHL, it was Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers.

The great thing about playing great teams or great players, is the way you get motivated to a different level. Some would argue that, especially as a Pro athlete, you are making a lot of money, you should always go out every game, and give 100%. Give it your all. Full out, on every shift. However, let's not be naive here. We have all seen our favorite teams play amazing against the best team...and lost to the last place team. There is something to say about playing the best. Your body goes through a transformation, your focus picks up, your adrenalin is off the charts. It is truly an amazing feeling.

The biggest "Litmus test" for any athlete in a while, is tonight. (in my opinion).

If you think of the greatest tennis player in the last 10 years, nobody would argue the name Roger Federer. His "numbers" are staggering. 237 consecutive weeks at Number 1. His career record is 824 wins 188 losses. He has won a record 16 Grand Slam titles. The stats go on forever. He is currently ranked number 3 in the world. A Truly amazing athlete.

The "Litmus Test"?

Tonight....the young Canadian (21 years old) Milos Raonic plays Roger Federer for the first time ever.

Raonic has made headlines with his sizzling serve, and has moved up from nowhere to being presently #27 in the world. He has 3 career victories, Federer has 72. It is time to see where Milos stacks up against the best.

Tonight is the night. Should be a great match.

                                          Milos Raonic                                   Roger Federer

My Mom's Big Heart - Part 2

I toiled over the title of this blog.....my other choice was....

   I'm Tired.....but I'm getting older.

Interesting Words to be sure. Age is very fickle....I remember playing sports in my late 20's and when I had some occasional "pain" - I would think to myself...."well, I am getting older". I also remember seeing a physiotherapist in my 40's about a calf strain. I went to move on the table...and I grimaced as I moved my shoulder. She asked me what was wrong.....my response (by now well rehearsed) ..."I can't really lift my arm all the way up....but "I am getting old".....I said. She chuckled....quickly assessed me and said I had  a "rotator cuff" injury. She put me on to an exercise program, specific to this injury, and....you guessed it....3 months later...100% recovery....still to this day...no pain in my shoulder.

The "I'm injured, but I am getting older".....or....."I'm tired, but I'm getting older"  statements....they quite frankly don't cut it for me anymore.

I am sure by now you are aware that my Mom had a heart attack recently......and I am happy to say that she is out of hospital, back at home....and feels great.....and grateful. For those that know her, know her as an amazing women....80 years young....always available to help out, and full of energy.

One week to the day before her heart attack, Patti and I had supper with my Mom....to celebrate her birthday, before her trip to New York City. We all remember clearly now the words spoke by my Mom that night. She said (and I quote)...."I am so tired recently, I get home form doing something....and I have to lie down....I am just so tired.....BUT .....(here it comes) I am getting older" she said.
The words resonate with me.

That was a very HUGE sign that something was not right...but none of us picked up on it.

Another good friend of mine Scott (alias StrongHeart) - also had a similar experience. Much younger...playing sports, but found himself lacking energy...always tired......"but, I am getting older"...he would say......he too had a heart issue, and after successful angioplasty....he is full of energy, still playing lacrosse.....a completely different person (and energy level).

My message today (if you have not figured it out)  Don't use your age as an excuse!!

If you have nagging injuries, make sure you have seen your Doctor, make sure you have tried Physio, Chiro, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy....whatever it takes to "fix you". Don't accept less!!
Remember my Believe in Magic? blog on this subject?

As for your heart? -Do you know how to prevent a heart attack, or heart problem? Do you now the signs of a heart attack and what to do?

What can I do to help prevent heart attack?

A healthy lifestyle can help  This includes:

• Quitting smoking if you smoke, and avoiding secondhand smoke.
• Keeping a healthy diet that is low in fat and low in cholesterol.
• Exercising regularly.
• Managing your stress.
• Controlling your blood pressure.
• Managing your blood sugar level if you have diabetes.
• Seeing your doctor regularly for check-ups.

Signs leading up to a heart attack?

• Unusual fatigue - In one study, more than 70% of the women surveyed experienced marked fatigue in the days or weeks prior to their heart attacks.
• Sleep disturbances - unusual sleep patterns
• Shortness of breath
• Indegestion
• Anxiety

What are the symptoms of heart attack?

Symptoms of heart attack may include:

• Chest discomfort, which may feel like pain, pressure, tightness, heaviness or burning (also called angina)
• Pain or discomfort in the neck, shoulders, lower jaw, arms, upper back or abdomen.
• Shortness of breath that lasts more than a few seconds.
• Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or faint.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Unusual sweating.
• Overwhelming fatigue.
• Feeling anxious.
• Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating really fast, or out of rhythm).

This can be a complex subject if we let it. I, however would like to simplify....because (some of you may not know this.....I am not a Doctor.....I don't even play one on TV. But I know this.

If you do not feel right ie.injury, tiredness....anything that is not "you" than do something about it. See your Doctor. Don't be shy. Don't be "tough". There are a lot people who care about you, and who want you around.

                                                        Mom heading home!! (StrongHeart 2)