Issues with seniority?

[SpyderMan2k4]

Alright guys, here's the deal... I play on a college roller hockey club. Right now I'm a sophomore. Last year (freshman year) I played pretty well. There was another goalie who started most of the games the first half of the year, but then basically quit the second half due to scheduling night classes (he was a junior last year). This year he said he wasn't going to play. We had tryouts and all that stuff, then 3 days before the first game he says he wants to play. The captain told him I had been preparing well for the season and that I was gonna play, but he could play out if he wanted. Well then, he got hurt in ruby (he's president of the rugby club, so I'm not sure how much commitment he has to hockey in the first place).

So I played the first half of the year and we went .500, but the last two games I had played amazing. Well after Christmas break the season started again, and I started off with 2 really great games (in 3 straight games I let in a total of 3 goals). Well now the other goalie is better and he has played the last 2 games (after literally not playing for over a year). The two games have been shakey for him (we still pulled out wins, and he wasn't terrible... but obviously rusty). Everyone on the team wants me to play, but the "captain" decides that since it's the kid's senior year, he's gonna get to play. We've got 1 "easy" team and one really tough team left, and I told the captain I wanted to play against the good team... he said ok. The question now is pretty much playoffs? Is it ok for me to be frustrated if I don't get to start the playoffs, concidering I've carried the team the last year and have proven myself on and off the rink, even though "he's a senior"? What's a good, unbiased, humble way to say "I deserve to play the in the playoffs"?

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of stuff?

[c0nquistad0rian]

Yeah I've dealt with this sort of thing. I pretty much quit the team, to the surprise and disappointments of a few of my teammates. But I was in my senior year, and with a very busy schedule, I wasn't going to give commitment to a team that wasn't going to give it back to me. So, I found some other teams to play on that were more fun and fit into my schedule better.

In your situation though, I'd advise you to stick with it. I pulled out at the beginning of the season when things were just getting started. You've been playing all along. Don't stop now.

Your frustration is going to be understandable, and natural. HOWEVER:

DON'T take it out on the other goalie, verbally or otherwise. You're partners. you should be able to treat him with civility and respect and expect the same in return.
congratulate him on good saves and victories and play well in front of him.

DON'T come into practice or games and let your frustration be known. go in and play hard. it's going to be no good in disrupting the rest of the team in a situation like that.

if you've got to vent, do it to some of your friends on the team and let them know how you feel.

pull the captain aside and talk to him INDIVIDUALLY. remind him that you've been there from the get go. remind him of how well you've been playing lately, and let him know that you want to be the man in the crease for the playoffs. and/or if you've got any respected/outspoken teammates who would be willing to speak to the captain on your behalf, then ask him.


The bottom line is that you can't disrupt your team just before the playoffs or you'll come off looking like the bad guy. play hard and Talk to the Captain personally. Also, if you've got a good relationship with the other goalie, talk to him and see what he thinks.

[DRE75HABS]

Also, like you said yourself, the choice is up to the Captain. It's out of your hands. Play well, talk to the Captain about how you feel, but don't come down on him or anyone else (aka other goalie) or it will hurt your case.

[elite]

Try a coup. If you know some players would rather have you play, have them pressure the Captain into letting you play. Either he will or he'll start losing power.

Or you can just stick it out. I've always thought seniority was pretty dumb. It's putting the game not in the hands of the best skill but rather something which has nothing to do with hockey: grade leve/age. Seems illogical to me.

But anyway, #1 has worked for me in the few cases I actually had to do it.

[t-mav]

its called affirmative action

[SpyderMan2k4]

I was planning to stick it out... and I'm not really the type to take it out on the other goalie. I mean, I understand his position (even if I don't agree with it). It was nice to hear it from some other people though. Thanks!