Deciding where to play next year.

While the 2016-2017 season is almost winding down some players in Peewee, Bantam or Midget may now be thinking about their options for the 2017-2018 hockey season.  Knowing your values as it relates to hockey can really help narrow down the choices.  Knowing which values to consider may be tricky.  Following is a useful tool I made which can help one think about what is important.  With so many factors keeping it simple and focusing on values is essential.

While doing this keep in mind it's what the player would ideally like to have.  This can be useful if one simply circles the boxes related to the question. I believe it is best used if the player answers and explains his or her thoughts on each question.

Values Questionnaire - How much do each of these topics matter to you? 

Topic - Coaching
1. It's important that I am coached by highly qualified coaches
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care 

2. My coaches should first and foremost coach to win
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

3. My coaches should first and foremost coach to develop players
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care 

4. The coaches have high expectations for all players
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

5. The coaches are approachable with sport related topics.
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

6. The coaches are approachable with social / teammate related topics.
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care 

Topic - Teammates
7. It's important that my teammates are very skilled at hockey
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

8. My teammates should play hard to win 
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

9. My teammates should have high expectations for all players and for the coaches.
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

10. My teammates push me to be better on and off the ice
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

11. My teammates are social in the dressing room, at team functions and informally
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

12. My teammates accept me for who I am
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care 

Topic - League / Schedule
13. The team plays in a valid league with a regular season schedule and playoffs
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

14. The league is competitive with most games being meaningful
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

15. The league has a website where statistics and standings are posted and updated regularly. 
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

16. Games and practices are 4-5 days per week
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

17. Game and practices are 1-3 days per week
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care 

Topic - Team
18. My team has a chance to win most games
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

19. My team is a contender for the playoffs and championship, possibly Nationals
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

20. My team has a history of being successful and expecting success
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care 

Topic - Location
21. My team plays and practices close to my home
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

22. I am not required to billet or live on campus
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

23. Away games remain within 1-2 hour of home
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

24. Away games remain within the province, except for 1-2 tournaments
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

25. Regular away games could be elsewhere in Canada or in the USA
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

Topic - My Role
26. It's important that I'm a team captain, assistant or take on other leadership role.
 Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

27. It's important that I play on one of the top 2 lines and either power play or penalty kill.
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

Topic - Other
28. I am able to work a part-time job each week while playing
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

29. There is time on road trips and in the schedule to study and do school work
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

30. There is time in the schedule for time with friends
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

31. Cost to play matters to me and is a big consideration
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

32. I am able to play other sports while playing for this hockey team
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

33. I want this team to help me to get to another level of hockey (ex. university) 
Absolutely!  Somewhat    Barely   I don't care

Which 3 topics matter the most to me?
1.
2.
3. 

What was left out that's important to me?
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Created by Mike Chapman - February 2017

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