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Advisor Perspective: Introverted vs. extroverted players

10/19/2018, 8:30am CDT
By Ryan Minkoff

A player's personality can have both positive and negative effects on his/her career


Let’s Play Hockey photo by Mike Thill

Looking back on my playing days growing up in Minnesota, I was always focused on going about my business. I would show up to the rink 30 minutes before practice, put my gear on, go through practice, undress and head home. I was quiet in the locker room and usually spent most of my time listening to whatever the conversation was going around the room. On and off the ice, my main goal was to please my teammates and coaches. I made sure I was locked in when I showed up to the rink. I was overly unselfish on the ice with the puck and I tried to do everything that the coaches wanted me to do. I never wanted to make a mistake on the ice as the coaches would be relentless and harsh when I did. It’s just how I was.

I acted like this because I lacked confidence and I am introverted. I typically would think about what I was going to say before I said it. I learned a lot by watching and I’m self-aware and kept my feelings to myself. In the end, some of these traits really put me behind the eight-ball with teammates and coaches, effecting my experiences on teams, which in turn hurt my chances of moving up the ranks in my playing career.

Today as an advisor and agent for players all over the world, I have many different personalities to work with. Some players are super-outgoing and talkative, and others are more reserved like me.

Just a few weeks ago, I checked in with my young 20-year-old Latvian client playing with Kitzbuhel in the Alps Hockey League. It was to be his first pro season outside of Latvia after leading his team in points last season in the MHL (KHL Junior League) and being a top member on the Latvian World Junior Championship team. He tends to keep to himself and has an introverted personality. He told me everything was good so far in preseason and that he’s working hard and enjoying his time. 

Two weeks later, I heard from the GM of the team, letting me know that they may release him if he doesn’t live up to the expectations they have for him. I was in shock to hear the news because in tracking his preseason progress, he had three points in four preseason games and was on the ice for five out of the seven Kitzbuhel goals scored at the time. Statistically, that is pretty solid for your first time with a new team as an import player. 

In talking to the GM and coach of the club, they noted he is underperforming, but more importantly he wasn’t smiling and interacting with his teammates much. In working a lot with my client leading up to this deal and during the summer, I know he’s a good communicator and he is certainly comfortable talking to me and expressing his thoughts.

I gave my client the GM’s feedback and he was aware of these viewpoints from management. He knew he wasn’t talking a ton to players and coaches and cited the language barrier as part of that reason, which is to be expected. He said he is working his hardest on playing and staying focused, and that is why he isn’t smiling a lot.

He only had a few days to show he can smile, interact with his teammates more and hopefully put up some points in the next couple of preseason games, or he was going to get cut. He unfortunately was released the next week. The GM felt bad for him because he knows this player is a high-quality young hockey player that he did his research on and signed early this offseason, but it is professional hockey and everything is a business decision. My client was disappointed, and it gave me the task of having to try and find him a good spot to play for the rest of the season. We have some options we are going over now, and everything will work out. My client learned a tough lesson that he is growing from, and in the end, this experience will make him an even better person and player.  

On the contrary, I have another client who is very outgoing and extroverted. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and everyone knows where he stands. He is comfortable talking to anyone, which can sometimes backfire, but it can also really benefit him.

For example, if he’s upset or something isn’t going right, coaches, teammates and I will know about it. He doesn’t shy away. This can rub those around him the wrong way, whether he tries to or not, and in turn it can make it tough for him to stay in good graces with everyone he interacts with. On the other hand, his personality has helped him immensely, especially as of late in his career.  

This past season, he was coming off an injury-filled year and he was dealing with family emergencies. It was really tough to find him a good opportunity and a team willing to take a shot on him. In the end, I found a team called the Odense Bulldogs in the Danish Metal Ligaen that showed a little interest in him. What really set him above the rest of the competition for the roster spot was his personality. His ability wasn’t a question. He is a former NHL draft pick with a lot of experience in the AHL/ECHL and in top leagues around Europe where he has performed well.

My client’s conversations with the GM of the club prior to signing were critical because he was willing to put himself out there and he expressed his emotions and thoughts about the club. The GM could feel his drive and interest in his organization and knew it was genuine. My client got the deal and showed up and played great to finish the year.

After his season, the coaching staff changed and again his personality paid off in getting re-signed. He had to show his value and worth to the incoming coach during the offseason, and he didn’t hold back. He wouldn’t get these opportunities if he was not willing to show people the kind of person he is.

The lesson of these little snapshots is to not be afraid to show people who you are. With tryouts coming up in youth hockey all the way up through high school and the pros, little things will set players apart. There are so many good players out there with similar abilities, so your personality can play a large factor in your fate moving you forward. I know it did in my career growing up, and it is something I try to stress to my players today. 

I know there are many players like I was who are highly talented people, and they can sometimes put themselves in situations they think they want to avoid by not expressing their emotions or thoughts outwardly. Making simple comments like “hey, how’s it going” to your coach when you walk into the rink or smiling at teammates when you come into the locker room can go a long way in making an experience with a team much better or getting an opportunity you are truly deserving of and fighting for.

 

Ryan Minkoff is a Minnesota native who went on to play professionally overseas and now is an advisor/agent with 83, LLC for hockey players around the globe.

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