Weekly Newsletter #3 | By Matt Beleskey
In today's minor hockey world, there is a massive amount of pressure on parents and kids to "specialize" early. The fear of falling behind is real. We feel if our kids aren't on the ice twelve months a year, they’re losing ground to the peer who is.
But looking back on my career—and looking forward at the development of my son—I believe the exact opposite is true. I am a firm believer that being a multi-sport athlete is the single best thing a young player can do for their game and their mind.
The Mental Toolkit: Lessons from Other Fields
Every sport offers unique situational challenges that translate directly to hockey. When a kid plays something else, they aren't "missing hockey"; they are building a mental toolkit that a rink simply can't provide.
Baseball: Teaches the laser-focus required for an important at-bat. You have to be calm, present, and ready for one specific moment.
Soccer: It’s a chess match. It builds endurance, sure, but it also teaches players how to see open space and anticipate play-making three steps ahead.
Golf: Perhaps the greatest teacher of resilience. You have to learn to let go of a bad shot immediately and refocus for the next one.
Just like in life, where exposure to different cultures makes you a more well-rounded person, exposure to different sports makes you a more well-rounded athlete.
The "Vacation" Philosophy
I often hear parents worry about the "lessons" missed while away from the rink. I look at it like pulling a kid out of school for a family vacation. Yes, they might miss a specific math lesson, but they are being exposed to life lessons and experiences that are just as valuable, if not more so.
There is something to be learned in every sport. If you observe closely and put in the effort, you’re picking up "tools" that your peers who only play hockey simply won't have in their bag.
The Science of Indirect Growth
My long-time friend and trainer, Tom Swales (from Concept of Movement), really proved this theory to me during our summer training programs.
At the start of the off-season, Tom would put me through a battery of tests: bench press, max jump height, and basic fitness metrics. Then—and here’s the kicker—we wouldn't do those specific exercises again all summer. Instead, we worked on a well-rounded program focusing on movement, balance, and different athletic stresses. When we re-tested at the end of the summer, my results had improved astronomically.
The takeaway for youth sports is clear: Just because you aren't practicing a specific skill 12 months a year doesn't mean you aren't improving it. By building the overall athlete, you are building a better hockey player.
Final Thought
Don't be afraid to put the skates in the closet for a few months. Let them go be a pitcher, a midfielder, or a golfer. When they finally step back onto the ice in the fall, they won't just be refreshed—they'll be a more capable, focused, and resilient athlete than they were when they left.
Enjoy the summer, try everything, and keep building that toolkit.
Matt Beleskey
A View From the Glass