Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

Hockey has taught me many things about myself and my life, but the most important thing it taught me was teamwork. This hockey season, I played the best I’ve ever played. I've played with the team I had this season for seven years of hockey, so I know how to work with them, and I know what they can do. For most of us, this was our last year playing in youth hockey, our last year being Bulldogs. One night, my mom and I were talking about the season coming to an end, and I realized that next year, I would have to work with brand new people. I will have to learn how they play and how I can connect with them. Then, my mom started to cry, and she said, “You just said exactly what your dad and I wanted you to learn from hockey. This proves you are an amazing teammate because you don’t just think of yourself, you think of your teammates too.” It made me feel accomplished and proud of myself. A few days later, it was my last home game as a youth hockey player. During our awards ceremony, I received the Heart and Soul Award for giving 100% effort every time I was on the ice. None of my teammates argued; that’s when I knew that everyone saw that I was a team player and I wouldn’t let my team down ever.

On the way home, I was staring at my award and thinking that I’ve always cared if people act like team players or not. Whether it’s showing up to practice, helping in the concessions when people don’t show up, or helping the team strive to get better every day. Being a team player can be a struggle because we don’t always like people or the things they’re doing, but positivity is a big part of being a team player. People follow by example, so if I am being positive, they will probably be positive, too. Learning how to deal with people and their differences is a big part of being a team player. Being a team player may look different for everybody, but it is really important because it shows other people that you are responsible and you don’t only care about yourself. The world needs a few more of those considerate team players.

Now that I’ve learned this life lesson, I will strive to be a team player every day and show others how to be one, too. I will do this by helping even when I’m not asked, helping people to get better at the things they are struggling with, being accountable for my mistakes, and doing what I say I will. I will also strive to get better at realizing everyone is different and has hardships, too. My quote by Herb Brooks explains that individuals can only get a team so far, but if we play as a team, learn the fundamentals, and use that talent to better the team, we will be the best. Herb Brooks was the coach of the USA’s 1980s Olympic Hockey team that beat the Soviet Union, the best hockey team in the world. This team was formed by a bunch of players around the US who, before that year, probably hadn’t played with each other, which proves that they worked as a team to beat all the odds. Being a team player is very important to the people around me and to the things I do, so I’m going to strive to be the best team player I can be on and off the ice.

“All-star teams fail because they rely solely on the individual's talent. The Soviets win because they take that talent and use it inside a system that's designed for the betterment of the team. My goal is to beat 'em at their own game.” Herb Brooks.