Many of you may know that I have a bit of a thing for hockey players. I mean, just check out my Instagram account – I probably follow about 75% of the players there, and almost all of them are Canadian. It’s pretty much a given that when I see a photo of a hockey player, my first thought is: “You know, I wish I could be a hockey player.” As sweet as that would be, it’s not just wishful thinking. So let’s explore how to become a hockey general manager.
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The GM Role
Before we dive in, it’s important to point out that the general manager (GM) role in hockey is a very different animal than your traditional sports GM role. In the traditional sports world, the GM’s role is to oversee the team’s entire operation, from player acquisition to contract negotiation and execution. In hockey, the GM’s role is much more narrow – they typically only have to oversee the hockey operations of their team, which includes coaching, gameplanning, and player development. While the GM has a huge responsibility for the success of their team, they only have control over a small part of the organization. In other words, they’re more like an executor than a CEO.
That being said, even in this limited capacity, the GM has a lot of power. There are five primary areas of responsibility that a GM needs to focus on if they want to succeed:
1. Developing Gameplans
Just like in any sport, games are won and lost based on the preparation that goes into them. In hockey, games are won and lost based on the gameplan that the GM and coaching staff come up with. To prepare for a game, the GM will work with the coaches and players to develop a gameplan that will serve as the basis for the team’s strategy. This plan should incorporate both offensive and defensive tactics that are tailored to the specific opponents that the team will face.
Hockey is a team sport, and no matter who you’re playing against, you need to be prepared to adjust your gameplan to what the other team is doing. For example, if you’re playing against a defensive-minded team, you need to develop a gameplan that is focused on attacking and disrupting the other team’s defense. If the team you’re playing against is lacking in defense, you might want to focus on taking advantage of that in the upcoming game.
As a GM, you’ll have the power to decide which gameplan to run with and when to switch course if things aren’t going according to plan. Ultimately, the success of your team depends on you being able to develop a good gameplan, so you need to be willing to spend the time doing it. It’s not easy to switch gears and start planning for the next game after the game has already started – but those few minutes while you’re still in the middle of the game can make all the difference in the world.
2. Acquiring And Maintaining Players
Just like in any professional sport, keeping your team’s best players and developing them into even better versions of themselves is essential for successful team-building in hockey. To effectively do this, you need to be willing to spend the money required to make it happen. There are many benefits to having wealthy owners such as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Sports and Entertainment Group (TMLL) who are committed to winning and don’t mind spending big money to do it.
One of the best examples of this in today’s NHL is Nashville Predators GM David Poile. He has an excellent reputation for developing and maintaining a deep roster of talented players, and the proof is in the numbers. Since he took over the Nashville Predators in 2007, the team has gone from being one of the weakest in the league to one of the strongest. The roster now features some of the best professional hockey players in the world.
One of the biggest obstacles to keeping quality players on your roster is paying the huge price-tags that NHL teams attach to their elite level talent. These are the big bucks that you’ll need in order to lure top-tier free agents and acquire high-end players through the draft. Unfortunately, many GMs are reluctant to spend this money, as it is considered a waste to invest in expensive players if you’re not going to make it to the NHL playoffs. That kind of thinking is what led to the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry turning down a $30 million contract to stay with the Golden State Warriors and continue to play on a good team – even though they would’ve made it to the postseason had he signed.
3. Building A Deep Roster
In addition to spending the money required to acquire high-quality players, you’ll also need to be willing to do whatever it takes to keep them – including giving them big pay raises and extended warranties. The problem is that the NHL is a notoriously fickle place when it comes to contracts, and no one is safe. Even good players can find themselves in a precarious situation if they make the wrong decision. That’s why it is so important to have a deep roster of talented players. With a few exceptions, most NHL teams don’t make it past the first round of the playoffs, so they need to ensure that they’re always prepared for the next season. To do this, they’ll need to ensure that they have enough talented players around to field a solid team.
4. Ensuring That The Team Practices And Meets The High Standards
Just like any other professional sport, the health and wellbeing of the athletes is of the utmost importance in hockey. Like most professional sports, practice makes perfect in hockey. To ensure that their team practices and meets the high standards that the GM sets, coaches will need to be willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen. This means that they’ll need to be available to the team 24/7, and they’ll need to be willing to work with the GM to create an environment where everyone knows what is expected of them and is confident that the GM will have their back should things go wrong.
5. Maintaining A Positive Attitude
Last but not least, it’s important to keep a positive attitude when building and leading a team. If you’re constantly looking at the world through the lens of “what could go wrong’, you’ll never make it in this business. Instead, you need to focus on what you can control and what you are responsible for, and make the most out of it. Above all else, you need to trust your instincts and be confident that you are providing the best possible guidance for your team.
To put it simply, if you want to be a successful hockey GM, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort to learn what you need to know. With the right guidance and support from above, the NHL is a very accessible venue for those who want to follow in my footsteps. If you’re eager to start your career, the first step is to get in touch with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ training staff to find out what they need. Once you’re prepared to accept the challenge, all you need to do is show up and work hard.