The Game Starts Before the Rink — How to Build Your Competitive Mindset Early

🚗 The Ride to the Rink Matters More Than You Think

Many young hockey players believe their best effort starts when they hit the ice. But as Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and mindset expert Sandy Cohan explain on The Ride to the Rink, your mindset is already forming long before the puck drops.

The car ride, the walk into the rink, the quiet moments before warmups — this is where confidence is built or broken.

And the good news?
These are moments you control.

🧠 Why “Don’t” Is Hurting Your Game

One of the most powerful insights Sandy shares is simple but eye-opening:

Your brain doesn’t understand negative commands.

If a player thinks:

• “Don’t miss the net”

• “Don’t mess up”

• “Don’t be nervous”

Their brain actually locks onto miss, mess up, and nervous.

Instead, players should focus on clear, positive actions, such as:

• “Shoot quick”

• “Skate fast”

• “Be aggressive on the puck”

👉 Fill your mind with what you want to do — not what you’re trying to avoid.

🎯 Pick a Theme, Not a Stat Line

Rather than worrying about goals, points, or outcomes, Sandy encourages players to choose a simple daily theme, like:

• Outwork everyone

• Play at full speed

• Make plays and take chances

• Be impossible to ignore

These themes are actionable. They give your brain something specific to lock onto — and they travel with you every shift.

📈 Measure Gains, Not Gaps

After the game, it’s easy for players to focus on what went wrong.

This episode challenges players to ask a better question:

“What got better today?”

You can be self-aware and supportive at the same time. Growth comes from recognizing progress — not tearing yourself down.

💡 Be your toughest coach — but also your biggest fan.

🕒 Why Today Is the Only Day That Matters

Scouts, coaches, and leagues talk in seasons.

Great players think in today’s.

Every practice.
Every game.
Every shift.

Stack enough good “today’s,” and the results take care of themselves.

As Lee reminds players:

• Reflect on the past to learn

• Dream about the future

• But do the work right now

That’s where progress lives.

🏒 A Simple Habit That Builds Confidence

One powerful suggestion from the episode:

• Write down your wins each day

Big or small — effort counts.

Do that every day, and by the end of the year, you’ve built a powerful reminder of how far you’ve come.

✅ Final Takeaway for Players and Parents

Your mindset isn’t something you turn on at puck drop.

It’s built:

• On the ride to the rink

• In the thoughts you choose

• In how you measure success

If players learn to prepare their minds the same way they prepare their bodies, confidence and consistency follow.

And remember — wherever you are on your hockey journey…

We believe in you. And you should too.