AAA Provincials Week – 5 + 5 Tips to Success

Posted on March 7, 2023

AAA Provincials week is upon us! This is a highly-anticipated weekend of the year, where mostly all Provincial AAA Leagues get it on in various communities across the island. Stay tuned for our Provincial Updates blog later this week.

Tip #1 – Enjoy the experience with team mates and friends vs focusing solely on winning and losing. Everyone wants to win (c’mon man), but there’s always more to it than that. For second year U15AAA players, this is where hockey goes into a crossroads; familiar faces will be replaced by U18 new ones. Some will go to prep school. Others high school. Look around your room. Those similar faces might never be in your locker room again.

Tip #2 – Remember to thank mom and dad for their efforts this season. Face it – you aren’t playing AAA hockey without the devoted efforts of your family. The sacrifices parents make – whether it be time or capital – cannot be underestimated.

Tip #3 – Be a positive difference maker. Not just in goals and apples. Keep your dressing room clean. Help unload the bus. Be polite to the rink and hotel staff. It only takes a second to make someone’s day.

Will Morgan. Photo Credit – EastCan Photography

Tip #4 – Remember your fundamentals. You know, the stuff your coaches have been preaching since September. Communicate, pass ‘n move, go to the net with a purpose. Stop staring at the puck when it’s on your blade.

Tip #5 – Put the phone down. This isn’t always easy in the high-tech world that we live in today.

Tip #6 – Set the pre-tournament curfew. If your curfew is usually 11 pm on weekend road trips with your team, go to bed at 11 pm or earlier leading up to the weekend. Your body has an internal clock. If you’re going to bed at 1 or 2 am leading up to Provincials, do you think you’ll be able to fall asleep at 10 pm with a game at 8 am the next morning? I wouldn’t chance it.

Tip #7 – Hit the water cooler. Provincials games are more intense than your standard regular season match. Start hydrating ahead of the tournament and load up on H2O during. Here’s a water calculator for ya. Yer welcome.

Tip #8 – Lighten up this week. If you’re being a gym warrior and going wild at practice this week, that is unwise. I’m not saying to lie around the house all week, but be smart. If you’re a little banged up or have some minor aches and pains, maybe sit the morning skates out.

Tip #9 – Listen to your coaches. Keep in mind that this weekend may be the last evaluation that people have of you before HPP Spring Camp, U18AAA tryouts, etc. Coaches talk to coaches. Think about it.

Tip #10 – HAVE FUN! No explanation needed on this one.

Good luck to all competitors!

The VHG Krewe