Focus on the players not the score, Wild -vs- Stars

The mantra of the pre season and the training camps around our house is focus on the players, the score means nothing. What do the kids look like, do they have skating skills? For those of us with a figure skating background that all important "line" combined with that "swing" that makes for a deadly hip check or cross check. That beautiful economy of motion that is instantly recognizable as the hallmark of the "sweet skater" in hockey. Rare in a 19 year old but sometimes there. The deadly slap shot or wrister, the eye of the tiger in a goalie, every writer, photog, scout,coach or fan has their favorite quality. We are all there looking for that magic spark in the preseason, some years we even find it.

Pre season is ending this weekend for most of us, remember like the opening night of the playoffs next April, the season before it means nothing. It is the heart and talent of the player that means all. Focus on the player, as this new season begins at this point the score means truly nothing.

On Friday afternoon of the Traverse City Rookie Tournament my partner and I grasped this mantra and sat down to watch the Wild and the Stars play. I've always had a soft spot for any Minnesota team. My Father was from Minneapolis, the name of this blog Powderhornhockey is named after Powder Horn Park in South Minneapolis where my Dad played Augustina Lutheran League hockey.I wish I could say these kids were all big Swedes from South Minneapolis like Dad but he would have cheered for them all the same. Here are a few images from the game.



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