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RSS Feed Top pick: The Ride to The Rink:1494 Hockey's Shayne & Grace on Winning Before You Hit the Ice
Key Takeaways
- Mental preparation for a youth hockey game or practice actually begins before players even step foot inside the rink, starting during the car ride there.
- Shayne and Grace emphasize that young players should use the ride to the rink to focus on one specific, achievable goal they want to improve that day.
- Bringing positive energy into the locker room, greeting teammates, and supporting others can dramatically change the entire dynamic of a practice.
- Young athletes learn why practice deserves the exact same level of mental preparation and focus as a high-stakes game.
- Players do not need to feel 100% or have a perfect day to succeed; simply showing up, bringing their best effort, and finding small wins matter most.
🏒 Think your practice or game starts when you step onto the ice? Think again. The way you prepare, the energy you bring, and the mindset you choose on the ride to the rink can change everything.
On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, Lee Elias is joined by Shayne and Grace, two former college hockey players and high-level coaches, to talk directly to young players about how to get mentally ready before practice or a game.
Because the best preparation doesn’t start at puck drop.
It starts before you even walk through the rink doors.
Grace shares how players can use the ride to think about one thing they want to improve that day—whether it’s passing, shooting, accuracy, or simply competing harder than they did in their last practice.
Shayne focuses on something every player can control: energy.
How do you walk into the rink?
Do you sit quietly in the corner, or do you greet your teammates and coaches?
Do you bring positive energy into the room?
Do you recognize when a teammate does something well?
That energy spreads—and it can change the entire practice.
🏒 In this episode, young players will learn:
- Why practice deserves the same mental preparation as a game
- How to choose one achievable goal before getting to the rink
- Why positive energy can influence your teammates and coaches
- How hockey can become a place to leave a difficult day behind
- Why your attitude after a mistake can change your next shift
- What to do when you show up tired, frustrated, or not feeling 100%
- Why simply showing up can sometimes be your first victory
- How focusing on small wins can help rebuild confidence
- Why giving 100% of what you have that day still matters
- How being a great teammate is a win every player can achieve
One of the biggest reminders from this conversation is simple:
You don’t have to feel perfect to compete well.
Maybe you had a rough day at school. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe things just aren’t clicking.
Show up.
Find one small win.
Bring what you have.
Support your teammates.
And give 100% of whatever your 100% looks like that day.
💪 Because big performances are built from little victories—and the first one may happen before you even arrive at the rink.
🎧 Listen now and use your next ride to practice or a game to decide what kind of energy you’re going to bring.
Skate hard. Have fun. Learn something. And remember—we believe in you. You should too.
đź“– Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Youth Hockey Mindset: How to Prepare Mentally Before Practice or a Game
#TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #HockeyPlayers #HockeyDevelopment #YouthAthletes #HockeyPractice #HockeyConfidence #HockeyMotivation #HockeyTeammates #MentalPerformance #HockeyKids
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can youth hockey players mentally prepare before a game?
Players can use the ride to the rink to set a specific goal for the day, such as focusing on passing, accuracy, or competing harder than their last practice.
Why is energy important on the ride to the rink?
Shayne and Grace explain that the energy a player brings into the rink spreads to teammates and coaches, setting a positive tone for the entire team.
What should a hockey player do if they are tired or had a rough day?
Players can still succeed by showing up, leaving a difficult day behind, supporting their teammates, and giving 100% of whatever energy they have available that day.