Ice Hockey... More than just a Game

“HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!” The words that any Canadian would love to hear, especially over the next two days.

As you all would know, the 2010 Winter Olympics are happening on the scenic mountains of Vancouver, Canada, my city of residence for the last eleven years before moving to Singapore. Obviously I’m feeling annoyed about the fact that the Olympics are taking place in my city and I am sitting on the other side of the world where sadly the Olympic fever seems to be at the lower end.

There are many events in the winter Olympics; many dangerous sports and exhilarating proceedings. But there is one sport above the rest that brings unanimously brings all of Canada together in one shot, ice hockey. The love for this sport is felt by everyone in Canada, especially people in Vancouver as they are home to the Vancouver Canucks, a hockey team that plays in the NHL.

Hockey fever is out of control in Vancouver right now with our home teams most loved player, Roberto Luongo (goal keeper), playing the lead goal keeper for Team Canada.

Through all the emotions and fans, the players always need to have the proper mindset when they get on the ice. This is where communication becomes crucial to the sport.

Contrary to many may believe, hockey is more than doing just what the coach says, it is about you’re your own instinct and feelings as well as taking into consideration your teammates. Hockey players must share a bond on and off the ice for their team to be able to work in harmony.

“When we personal contacts, build a connection with, and establish a relationship with another individual to satisfy our social needs and realize our personal goals” (Gamble and Gamble, 2005)All players needs to have interpersonal communication with each other and with their coaches for the team to work in unison. The quantitative approach to interpersonal communication is key in team sports. Everyone needs to communicate with each other to work up strategies and come up with effective plays.

Team Canada is more than just a bunch of individuals from different cities playing together. It is “a collection of individuals who, as a result of interacting with one another over time, become interdependent, developing shared patterns of behavior and a collective identity”. They must all work together in synergy to win games and make their fans, supports, and nation proud.

This is not an easy task, there must be constant chatter between players so they all know what’s happening around them. Hockey is a fast paced and intense game where teamwork is crucial. Formatting which players are on the ice at the same time, picking plays, taking opportunities, and knowing what needs to be done is very important. When members of the group think only about themselves, then it causes problems for everybody so they all must work in harmony, in other words not everyone should be looking to score goals, they should also be looking at passing and taking control of the game.

Once there is true synergy and effective group communication amongst the team members then everything will flow smoothly.

Team Canada has now reached the semi finals where they will face Slovakia. If they win they will be matched up against the US or Finland in a battle for the gold medal.

GO CANADA GO!!