There are pep talks and then there are wisdom drops. On the first day of New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) playoff games, renowned National Hockey League coach Barry Smith visited Brooks to share a bit of both.

Photo credit: The Coaches Site

“You don't want to miss this!” Director of Athletics and Afternoon Programs Andrea Heinze emailed all students, inviting athletes and anyone interested to meet with the former NHL coach and a seven-time Stanley Cup Champion. Smith's lesson took place during lunch yesterday in the Keating Room, where he shared inspiring experiences and strategies for athletic success.

Following Brooks’ soccer teams’ quarterfinal tournament matchups in the afternoon, coaches enjoyed an adults-only evening conversation about his leadership advice and ice hockey players got some time on the ice with him.

See an album from Smith's visit on brooksschoolphotos.com.

Photo credit 2016 Tom Wolf/Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame

The difference between winning at the highest end of competition and just playing is the mentality that “we’re all together,” Smith told the dozens of students who joined his Nov. 12 talk. “You have to be all in and you have to push each other.”

His secrets of success? “The first one is character and attitude,” leveled Smith, who has also been a director of player evaluation.

Describing a scenario of considering a potential player, he said, “I'd watch you on the ice and see what your body language is. You put your head down? You make a bad play, you blame a teammate? Bang your stick? Yell at the referee?” That poor behavior factors into his assessment.

Sitting at the snack bar after a losing game when players arrive, he’d also watch post-ice interaction. An athlete who comes in and says, “Hey, thanks, Mom and Dad for being here… We'll get the next game,” he asks, “Who do you want on your team? Absolutely that guy. All day long. He didn’t blame anyone else. He stepped up.”

Praising “grit and perseverance” as well as “passion,” Smith insisted that “Just talent won't help you win. Just talent won't get you the next level.”

Make the most of every opportunity you have, he urged. “You have, sometimes, one time to evaluate yourself to a coach. Never sit in the back of the room, never be last in line.”

“When you have a chance to show something to another coach, or in your tryout … be ready to go. And don't be afraid of making mistakes,” said Smith. “The best players make mistakes all the time.”

Learn more about athletics at Brooks on our Committed to Excellence page.