By Catherine Savoie

Publié le 16 juin 2026

As a hockey player for over 10 years, I remember every single coach I had. 

They played an important role in my journey as an athlete and since I stopped playing hockey, I have always wanted to share my passion for this sport with younger players.  

This year was my last year as a coach.  

The last 4 years have been filled with gratitude. Seeing the players grow in this sport has taught me so much and made me so proud.

For a young athlete, building a relationship of trust with their coach is important. It improves their confidence and their resilience. Believing in them before they believe in themselves is the biggest part of being a coach. The coach identifies strengths, corrects weaknesses, and tailors training to maximize potential. However, their role goes beyond the physical aspect. During every moment of doubt or defeat, the coach becomes a key support figure who can restore confidence and motivation. 

Many elite athletes attribute their success to this relationship of trust. Effective communication and mutual understanding help create a safe environment that improve the best of them. Conversely, a bad relationship with a coach can put an end to a promising career. Unfortunately, there aresome coaches who put an end to athletes’ career without knowing it.  

Being a coach for the sport you love is the best feeling of gratefulness. Every little win reminds you the reason you are doing it. Seeing these kids being so happy in this sport reminds me how I was at this age, how grateful I was to my coaches who taught me everything.

In my experience, being a coach was not just to be on ice with them. I trained the same goaltender for the last 4 years. He was 8 years old when we started, and now he is 12 years old. For him, I was not just a coach, I became his confident, his best friend, and his big sister. His parents told me that I really made a different in his life. Not in his goalie life, but in his human life. Having the chance to give time to younger players like him reminds me how lucky I was at his age.

In conclusion, being a coach is an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Every presence on the ice or on the bench created memories that will last my entire life. While doing this, I am a student and a part time worker. My schedule was full this season, and even if I am not paid for that, my paycheck was seeing them grow as individuals through their sport.  

Sometimes, people ask me, “why are you doing that much?” My only right answer is “if I don’t do it, who else will?” 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-whole-athlete/202202/how-coachs-attitude-can-affect-athletes-mentality

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5947172/2025/12/17/tennis-players-coaches-relationship-how-choose/