After sharing my depressing coach story this afternoon, I think I’d like to share a really positive coach story tonight, featuring... Barry Trotz. This is a story from when I went to the very first Preds summer hockey camp as the only girl (this was in ‘99, I think).

(Sorry, I’m trying but my tweets aren’t sending, bear with me...)

Most of camp went fine, but a few days into the session, some of the boys started being rude and giving me a hard time with dumb shit (like actively not partnering with me for drills, saying I shouldn’t even be there, etc.). I finally complained.

I don't even think I complained to a legit person... It may have just been an overheard comment.

Regardless, somehow my complains made their way to Trotz, who was running the camp and working with all of us on a daily basis.

HE. WAS. PISSED.

I showed up for camp one day, and he was gathering everyone in one of the meeting rooms, like over on the pool side of the lobby.

Once everyone was there , he came in with all of the staff and we had a big talk about building trust and reliability between teammates.

He talked about kindness and respect too, and about holding ourselves and others to high standards - even people we may not know well.

He also talked to my parents and me individually, and checked in with me consistently throughout the rest of the session.

I came back the next year, and he immediately recognized me, told me he was so glad I was still playing.

He told me never to let anyone step on me and to demand respect and equal treatment from my teammates. Barry Trotz is an incredible person.

(And finally, my apologies for breaking this into a million 1-2 line tweets; I can't send anything longer than 2 lines )

(If your spirits have been lifted too much by this story and you would like to read my depressing coach story to reign yourself in, here it is.) https://twitter.com/carolianne_/status/1200454589205618689?s=21 https://twitter.com/carolianne_/status/1200454589205618689