All information has been extracted from “Hey coach, one teaching style does not fit all!” by Dianne C. Jones, Ed.D. To read the article please download it here. (PDF)

• The way the coach presents information and feedback impacts the athletes’ ability to understand new concepts and acquire new skills and techniques
• Learning styles are the unique way in which each individual begins to concentrate on, process and retain new and difficult information
• When instructional strategies match individual learning styles coaches and athletes have indicated improvement in academic and athletic performance as well as enhanced self-esteem
• The coach must first know the preferred learning styles of his or her athletes so they can align the learning needs of their athletes with the learning objectives in the athletic domain
• Most individuals’ preferred learning style is the visual learning style followed by the auditory and tactile/kinesthetic
• All learners show some combination and degree of all three styles, but one or two styles typically dominate their approach to learning
• The visual learner relies on seeing and prefers using written information, notes, diagrams, and charts
• The Auditory learner, on the other hand, relies on the spoken word and comprehends information by hearing and reading out loud
• The kinesthetic learner relies on activities and learns through touching, doing, and ‘feeling’ the learning
• Know your learning style because coaches tend to teach using their preferred learning style rather than the athlete’s
• Know your athletes’ learning style
• Initially use an integrated/eclectic approach to teaching in the athletic domain and then adapt your teaching style to the individual learners
• Create cue words to use with the athletes
• Create coaching strategies and incorporate cue words and instructional strategies
• Remember that the same teaching strategy will not necessarily have the same degree of effectiveness with all athletes
• Present information by incorporating the visual, verbal and kinesthetic approach
• Observe what the athlete focuses on and know their tendencies
• It is also possible to determine an athlete’s learning preference by observing him or her teaching a teammate, since most people will use their preferred mode to teach others
• As coaches become better able to adapt their style of teaching and coaching to support the learning style needs of their athletes, they create powerful learning experience, but also accelerate it.

There are plenty blogs out there stating that they have the best top five hockey fights. Most of them touch on one on one fights but we are going to compile the five best bench clearing fights of all time.

1. Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers

This fight occurred on March 5, 2004. Leading up to the game both sides were playing physical games and throwing verbal jabs at each other. The fight accumulated 419 of penalty minutes between the two teams. It is the most handed out at a single NHL game. Initiator Donald Brashear received six penalties for the first fight with Rob Ray who got five for fighting. Once everything was cleaned up and the refs tried to drop the puck, Michal Hanzus and Mike Fisher dropped the gloves to continue the fight. In the end most players got penalized for fighting and two game misconducts. Robert Esche and Patrick Lalime also chalked up another one for goalie leaving crease when they fought. Zdeno Chara was given an extra one for instigating. Surprisingly, Ottawa tough guy Chris Neil only received five for fighting. When everything was said and done, both teams were left with a combined total of five players on the benches with 20 players ejected. The fighting didn’t stop on the ice as GM’s Bob Clark and Jacques Martin had to be held off each other after the game.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames

There is not much information about this fight available. All I have been able to find was that Tim Hunter went after Brian Hayward to start the fight that cleared the benches but the video can say it all.

Canada vs. USSR

No hockey fight list is complete without listing the 1987 World Junior Ice Championship. Canada and the USSR cleared their benches to go after each other. The fight cost Canada a medal and a possible gold. Some players went on to NHL careers including Brendan Shanahan, Theo Fleury and Sergei Fedorov. The brawl began after the faceoff between Shesterikov and Sanipass. When Davydon left the bench to join the melee, all bets were off. The refs eventually had to leave the ice and turn off the arena lights in an effort to stop the fight.

Quebec  Nordiques vs. Montreal Canadians

I have to admit that I’m a fan of the Nordiques. But you don’t need to be a fan to put this one on the list. It has been called the Good Friday Massacre. In a province that was still strictly adhering to fish Fridays, these boys had not one but two bench clearing brawls. It was the second round of the playoffs in 1984 and the battle of Quebec was on. The first fight started at the end of the second period and the refs cleared the ice. Two players were ejected from the game but no one informed the coaches so when they took the ice again, the fight was restarted. In total there were 252 penalty minutes with 10 players ejected

Boston Bruins vs. Quebec Nordiques

This is another fight with little information. It happened in 1986-1987 and the Bruins threw down their gloves with the Nordiques. My favorite part is the Official with the notepad taking notes. As the players seem to be losing steam and heading back to the bench, it started again.