It’s not another drill, rep, or workout — it’s a conversation most players are too afraid to have
Hey Hockey Family,
There are a lot of power moves you can make as a hockey player. Staying after practice for extra shots. Grinding in the gym. Stretching, foam rolling, eating clean. Filling your mind with the right mentality and stacking good habits every day.
(If you want a great read on this, check out Atomic Habits. It’s all about the power of small, consistent actions that compound over time.)
But today, I want to talk about the ultimate power move — the one that separates good players from great players.
Here it is:
Next time you get the chance to talk to your coach — whether it’s in an official meeting or a conversation you set up yourself — ask this question:
“Coach, what are three things I’m good at that I should keep building on, and what are three things I need to work on?”
That’s it. Simple question. Huge impact.
It’s not easy to ask — and it’s even harder to hear the answer.
Yeah, the “what I’m good at” part is nice. But if you really want to level up, you have to be open to constructive criticism.
Think about the word “constructive.” It’s like a construction zone — a work in progress.
You’re not a finished product yet. You’re being built. Refined. Sharpened.
Your goal is to become as close to the finished product as possible — polished, precise, and always improving.
And here’s the truth: that road never ends. Even the best players in the NHL still get feedback and make adjustments every single day.
After you ask your coach the question, follow it up with this:
“What do you recommend I do to keep building on my strengths and to improve my weaknesses?”
That’s where the gold is. That’s where you show your coach — and yourself — that you’re serious about growth.
Now, a word of advice from an old hockey buck:
Be ready for what you’ll hear. Take it in. Don’t argue. Don’t make excuses. Write it down. Let it marinate. Then make a plan to get better — in both your strengths and weaknesses.
Because I guarantee this: most of your opponents aren’t doing that.
Most of your competition isn’t having those tough conversations.
But that’s where the growth happens. That’s where real pros are made.
So go have that talk.
Ask the hard questions.
Get the real answers.
And then — go do the work.
See you in the savagery,
—Bobby Robins, savage motivator, ex hockey pro