It's been a rewarding season for Dr. Rob Graham.
The author and motivational speaker wears many different hats, but he especially enjoys his time wearing a hockey helmet and talking hockey.
Dr. Graham is a longtime goalie coach who also helps male and female hockey players with the mental side of the game through his Hockey Life Skills Program.
"I developed the Hockey Life Skills Program based on everything that nobody ever told me as a young hockey goalie," said Graham.
"I took my blender out and added my 25 years as a teacher, my 23 years as a goalie coach, and my doctoral research in the field of resiliency."
He believes he has come up with a very unique, engaging and fun way to help athletes enjoy the game of hockey and the game of life.
"I know if someone would have mentored me in the same way I am now mentoring these athletes I would have gone further in my hockey career," he said.
"I think one of the keys to the success of this program is the fact I can relate first-hand to what they are experiencing."
Dr. Graham says he learned the hard way missing out on connecting with a hockey icon due to anxiety. Back in the 1970's his team based in Parry Sound was competing in an International tournament in Evanston, Illinois.
"At that time Bobby Orr was with the Chicago Blackhawks on his final year of professional hockey," reflected Dr. Graham.
"He had heard some boys from his hometown of Parry Sound were playing in this tournament and came to the arena to wish us luck. When the coach introduced Mr. Orr and while he was shaking everyone's hands, I was in the toilet throwing up…as I did before every game. I never want my athletes to be throwing up when Mr. Orr is there to shake your hand."
Dr. Graham, a co-host on the local Goalie Resiliency Podcast, says hockey comes with challenges, just like in life.
"Over the past ten years of my life I have been confronted with some immeasurable pain and adversity," he candidly admits.
"Working with these athletes and offering them inspiration and tools for building their capacity to be resilient gives me energy, purpose and inspiration…it is a two-way street. It is also important that my athletes know I have to practice what I teach to keep growing and knowing."
The Athletes
Logan Coates is a 17-year-old goaltender who just wrapped up his season with the North Bay U18 AAA Trappers hockey team.
Coates works with Graham as his goalie coach on the ice, and works on his mental game with Dr. Graham off the ice.
"Rob has helped me in many ways, from the technical aspects of hockey to the off-ice physical things, like how to take care of my body and prevent injuries," explained Coates.
"The most important thing that Rob has taught me is the mental side of the game. Everybody knows that hockey is a physical game, but Rob has helped me understand it’s more mental than anything. He has helped me respond to adversity, disappointment and frustration and has helped me build my confidence and work ethic. I would not be anywhere close to where I am now without his guidance and support."
Ben Brunton is a forward on the U18 AAA Trappers team. Brunton had a record-breaking season with 91 points while breaking the all-time U18 Trappers scoring record in his two seasons with the team.
Brunton, recently named the Great North U18 League MVP, appreciates what Dr. Graham's program has done for him.
"Working with Rob has given me more confidence on and off the ice, and I worry less about the outcomes," said the 2008 birth year forward.
"Rob allowed me to focus on the experiences I was having at the time, and to make sure I never got too high or too low. Rob definitely had an impact on my game, and allowed me to play more relaxed and enjoy my time on the ice and with my teammates."
Cedar Montreuil is another young athlete who connected with Dr. Graham. Montreuil had a stellar season with the North Bay U16 AAA Trappers and was selected to play for Team NOHA at the OHL Cup starting March 24 in Toronto.
The 2009 born St. Joseph-Scollard Hall student believes Dr. Graham has helped him navigate through his challenging OHL draft season.
"Working with Rob this season helped me reach a new understanding for the game, learning to chase the experience instead of chasing the dream, helping me enjoy the game a lot more," said Montreuil.
"He helped me understand how playing my game and only focusing on myself and what I can control was key to growing as a player. Along with keeping good composure, and giving me tips to stay calm and confident. Those things are all huge factors to my success this season."
Dr. Graham believes the pressures facing young athletes today are far greater than when he played hockey in the 1970’s and the 80’s.
"Some of them want it so bad they forget to enjoy the moment and the experiences associated with what I call the ‘knowing and growing process’….that was me back in the day," explained Dr. Graham.
"I am very upfront with my parents and my athletes. I can’t guarantee I will get you playing in the CHL, PWHL or NHL…but I will guarantee you will learn how to ‘chase the experience and not the dream’…and when you start to appreciate and enjoy the experience of playing the game, good things happen in hockey and in life! I think the athletes I work with will attest to that."
Dr. Graham follows the trials and tribulations of all his athletes while showing true care about the impact he makes.