From Driveway Dreams to NHL Locker Rooms — Why Team Chemistry Matters
Hey Driveway Warriors,
Some players score the big goals. Some make the highlight-reel passes. Some drop the gloves when it matters.
But the older I get, the more I realize there’s another kind of player every team desperately needs — the glue player.
When I was coming up — juniors, Division 1, the ECHL, AHL, and eventually the Boston Bruins — I learned that skill can get you noticed, but connection is what builds championships. I always seemed to have this instinct to connect with teammates, coaches, trainers, and even the zamboni drivers. I could sense when someone was struggling or when there was friction in the locker room — and I tried to bridge those gaps.
When I finally made it to the NHL, I had the privilege of playing under one of the greatest leaders the game has ever seen: Zdeno Chara. He was a superstar, a future Hall-of-Famer, a multimillionaire… but in the locker room, he’d sit with rookies like me, dropping wisdom, answering questions, and making us feel like we belonged.
That’s when it clicked for me — it’s not just about skill. It’s about trust, communication, and showing your teammates you’ve got their back on and off the ice.
And here’s the good news for youth players, coaches, and parents: being that kind of player — and building that kind of team — isn’t something you’re just born with. It can be developed.
That’s why I want you to check out the latest episode of the Our Kids Play Hockey Podcast hosted by my friend Lee Elias. Lee and Mike Bonelli break down exactly how to build team chemistry with practical, easy-to-use exercises — from trust falls to tic-tac-toe battles with hockey sticks. Just 20 minutes a week can completely transform the way your team connects, communicates, and competes.
If you’re a coach, a parent, or a player who wants to understand how to build a glue team, this one’s a must-listen.
🎧 Listen here: Our Kids Play Hockey: Team Building That Works
Because talent wins games…
But trust?
Trust wins championships.
See you on the driveway,
Bobby Robins