Yesterday, the US Under-18 Women’s National Team beat the Canadian at the world championships over in Germany. I genuinely feel bad for all of the Canadian girls. After having the chance to meet and work with them over the course of the year, I know how much effort, energy and enthusiasm they put in to preparing for these international contests against their biggest rivals. With all the professionalism and polish these players show on and off the ice, I sometimes forget that they are still in high school. Each and every one of them have all the on-ice ability they need to have an amazing hockey career. But it’s the ones who focus on being the best off the ice as well that will truly be great.

These elite female players are no different from every other girls hockey player who aspires to play at that level. They didn’t just show up at the national team tryouts one day, skate a few laps and make the team. All of them have set their big goals of what they want to achieve in hockey and I can ensure you that each and every one of them want to make the National Women’s Team someday soon.

Even though they are already among some of the best young female hockey players in the world, if they don’t take action towards that BIG goal on a daily basis, they won’t get there. Making the under 18 team is no guarantee of future national team selection. These girls will not only have to fight against the current senior national team players, but they have to contend with the under-22 national team players. Add into the mix the elite players who are just a little bit younger, and these 20 athletes have their work cut out for them if they want to reach their ultimate goal.

Their process for getting there is no different than yours.

They have their big goal.

Now they need to break it down by year, month, week and day, and work as hard as they possibly can to get better each and every day.

That’s how they got where they are now.

And just like you, that’s how they will get to the next level.

The next phase of the Total Female Hockey Take Your Game To The Next Level contest starts tomorrow.

After I announce our first big winner, we’ll get started on breaking your 12 week goal down into the smaller weekly and daily goals and action steps.

You’ve been dreaming BIG.

Now it’s time for the hard work.

~ Coach Kim