The most powerful voice in hockey might just be yours
Hey Wraparound Family,
The word of the day is encouragement — defined as “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.”
The key word here is action. Encouragement isn’t just a nice thought. It’s something you do. And with a brand-new hockey season underway, I want to talk about how encouragement plays into the game — and into life.
🏒 Parents — Be Builders, Not Breakers
Take it from an old buck who’s seen it all: I’ve watched many young players’ dreams get crushed not by the game, but by parents who discouraged instead of encouraged.
I get it — hockey gets intense and the stakes feel high. You want the best for your kids. But remember… it’s still just a game.
Here’s your mission:
Build them up before you break them down.
Tell them what they did well before talking about what they can improve.
Then help them improve — whether that’s practicing together or getting them the right coaching.
Please, take warning: every parent dreams their kid will “make it.” But don’t sacrifice your relationship — or their love of the game — in the process. Be an encourager first.
🧠 Coaches — Be Mentors, Not Monsters
If you’re behind the bench, you’re more than a coach — you’re a teacher, a mentor, a guide. Your influence reaches far beyond hockey.
Yes, be assertive. Yes, hold players accountable. But don’t be another yelling idiot on the bench. It doesn’t make anyone better.
Be patient. Be wise. Be an encourager. The lessons you teach today will echo through your players’ lives long after they hang up the skates.
🤝 Players — Speak Life Into Your Team
Be a good teammate. Communicate. Lift each other up.
When someone’s struggling, be the voice that says, “You got this.” Speak the language of respect. Encourage the ones who are down. And celebrate the ones who rise.
Encouragement is the thread that runs through every great team.
🪞 Yourself — The Most Important Voice of All
And maybe most importantly… encourage yourself.
So what if you had a bad game? Learn from it. Grow from it. Speak positively to yourself. Tell yourself you’re going to bounce back and be even better.
Never get stuck in the doom loop of negative self-talk.
And here’s the truth: speaking encouragement to yourself gets easier when you know you’ve done the work. When you show up in the gym. When you hit your concrete sessions. When you never skip the grind.
Because then, when you look in the mirror, you know you’ve earned the right to say: I’m built for this.
⚔️ Final Thought
Encouragement isn’t always easy. It takes bravery to step up and speak life into someone else — or into yourself.
But remember this: you can’t spell encouragement without courage.
So this season, be brave. Be strong. Be courageous.
And above all, be an encourager.
See you in the grind,
—Bobby Robins, savage motivator, ex hockey pro