NHL Goalie Coach, Mitch Korn

I am excited to announce a three part interview series with Mitch Korn, the Nashville Predator’s Goalie Coach. Let me know if you have a question you’d like asked…

Our next step…

What an open statement, however an all important one.  The roads selected can be your success, your failure or simply your stalemate.  What to do, what to do?  Who to speak with, after all you know the old saying regarding opinions they are just like fingers, everyone has one, (family friendly).  It is June 5th,2011 and the middle of a hot spring here in the south.  My older son works at K-Roger as a cashier and younger works as a lifeguard at a local water park and I am thinking about the next steps in ice hockey for them both.  Currently, they are attending Hockey Dynamics, an intense eight week course which is three times a week focused on taking each player to the next level.  Two nights of conditioning, ice time, off ice athletics by exercise experts and previous NHL trainers and much needed games every Wednesday.   This is not for the faint of heart and both of my sons love it and hate it at the same time while knowing all the while it will take them to the next level if they work hard enough.   Last year, Jacob won a spot on the AA Jr. Predator’s Bantam Major team who took 2nd place at Nationals and what an accomplishment for an inaugural team.  However for Jacob, it was a difficult beginning as his endurance has evaporated over the summer.  We took a break from hockey, at least inline and was unable to afford the local clinics with the exception of Chicken Fried Hockey (see my links for site).

John at Goalie Camp

This year will be different as both the “Mo Bros” are participating in Hockey Dynamics, Open Hockey, Chicken Fried Hockey and younger one is starting goalie for the TN Inferno, an inline travel team; (Nationals June 22, 23, and 24th, come by and say hello in Snellville, GA).  Mo has been on this team since the 2nd season and this I believe, will be the 5th season of play for these boys.  They are indeed a true reflection of teamwork and playing as a unit.

2009 Snellville National Tourney

Jacob said he will never let himself go again and is very focused on his physical appearances, strength and endurance.  At the water park, he runs up the stairs at the waterslides, does laps in the pool and takes advantage of the weight room.

So, where do we go from here?  Well, first I ask the boys.  John is will maintain his starting position with the Wilson Central Wildcats Ice Hockey Team where his brother will be the backup.  John indicated he wanted to try out for the AA Jr. Predator’s, but has since changed his mind.  He is concentrating rather on academics in his senior year and aceing his ACT.  He wants to attend a hockey college and tryout as a walk on to the team.  Jacob is torn.  Due to car issues, he was not able to try out for the AAA Thunder in Atlanta.  Everything happens for a reason and there was a reason we were not supposed to be there.  So, we have the AA Jr. Preds in which some of his friends will be trying out, but it will not be the same team.  These players who came together so well to take 2nd in the Nation will splinter off to high schools and for the most part, this is a great step for them.  For us, however, our coach is more of a “house ice coach” and as grateful we are to him for maintaining the team, he will not be able to advance the goalie program to be looked at, or even noticed by any collegiate represenative.  That leaves things to me because here in the south, we must be creative to get the attention of the big hockey colleges which Jacob wants, more specifically, he wants to attend Boston U and play hockey for them as he works toward a law degree.  Wow, okay, so, what do we do???  I believe after talking with coaches that we trust such as Stu, Scott and Chris, Mo is to try out for AAA Flyers to get exposure to the north.  Can he make the team?  In my opinion, yes, can we afford it, hell no.  So, I start my own company, SGM Solutions and continue to work as a medical transcriptionist to ensure income and when he makes the team, request scholarship and work hard and heavy on sponsors.   I have a couple of ideas in mind like attending local fair to set up a booth for water and selling of baked goods and hoping for Pizza, that’s not out of the question or just good old fashioned southern sweet tea.  Then working towards sponsors which are my least favorite thing to do.  I hate asking, hate, hate hate it.  But, it is the way of the world in this economy.  There is no shame in asking for help, I know this, I also know that it is part of what we do to keep Jacob on his road to the NHL and he is serious about this.  I have friends who are millionaires, scientists, lawyers, doctors, and I don’t ask any of them because they themselves are in the hockey world and paying for their own players.  Maybe I should anyway cause who would better know about the costs?  I just don’t want them to feel awkward; so what do you do?  Maybe you have suggestions.  I sell patches on coats for advertising, I place adds on facebook, blogs and websites.  But know this, the fund raising must begin now.  You must formulate ideas, contacts to be made the begin now or it will be too late!!!!  Smart cards and county fairs, yep, thinking this may be a good thing.

Jacob and John 2010

There is nothing that we would not do to help our players achieve their dreams; who are we to tell them they can’t do it.  This is America.  With hard work and determination, they can do anything!

At a request of a reader of this blog, have requested info for off ice training and options to go with parents in trying to help them deal with encouragement, mental toughness and strength training.  Stay tuned…

Hockey in the heat of the day is refreshing and growing strong in the South!

Happy hockey!

Lori