The Build: Lessons from a Sauna and the Ice.

How constructing a sauna taught me more about coaching than I expected

Over the past six weeks—wedged between ice sessions and my regular job—I’ve been hard at work building a sauna for my family of seven. My wife and I have dreamed of having one for years, and seeing it finally completed has been deeply satisfying. Even more rewarding? Sweating it out with our kids and neighbors, sharing laughs and stories in the warmth we built together.

Throughout the process, I kept thinking about how much this build reminded me of coaching hockey players. The parallels were everywhere. Here are three lessons that stood out:

🗣️ 1. What kind of voice will you be in your player’s head?

Like most DIYers, I dove into research—books, videos, forums. My most helpful resource? Microsoft Copilot, which often led me back to YouTube and one builder in particular: How to With Lech. If you’re planning a sauna build, I highly recommend him. His attention to detail and distinct accent stuck with me. I’d watch a video, then find myself narrating the task in my head… in Lech’s voice.

It made me wonder: What voice do my players hear when they’re trying a new skill? Is it kind? Clear? Encouraging?

Our voice as coaches can linger—positively or negatively. If you’re anything like me, that internal monologue matters. Let’s make sure it’s a good one.

Early framing stages with the kid’s signatures to be left for whoever take this sauna apart one day reminding me that everything and everyone has an ending.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2. Community Builds Everything

We’re lucky to live in an incredible neighborhood. I lost track of the hours spent on this sauna, but many were shared with my wife, kids, and neighbors. My wife and two neighborhood moms tackled doors, windows, and backsplash tiling. The dads helped frame and offered moral support when things went sideways.

It reminded me of coaching communities like The Coaches Site. Can we build great players without great people sharing their knowledge? Not a chance. Whether online or in person, sharing our talents is essential to The Build—on the ice or in the backyard.

🔧 3. Mistakes Make Us Better

I grew up in a steel fabrication shop. Wood? Far less forgiving. Cut a board ¼" short and there’s no welding over that gap. I preach mistake-making to my players all the time—but living it? That’s harder.

One day, I was struggling to align the chimney and let out a big yell. A neighbor boy came over:

“Mr. David, I just heard you yell—are you okay?”

Frustration gets the best of us. It made me think: How does a player feel when they’re stuck on a skill?

Do they need a break? A reset?

My wife would say, “Alright David, let’s leave it until tomorrow.” That pause helped. And next time I build a sauna—or coach a struggling player—I’ll be quicker to recognize when it’s time to step back.

First fire in the newly installed stove. I still had trim and benches to go. At this stage I felt done, but still work to do which was a little frustrating, but made me realize the last stretch is always the hardest to achieve our goals. Starting can be easy.

🧊 Final Thoughts

Building this sauna was incredible. Now we get to enjoy it with our family and neighbors—and that’s the real reward. Coaching is just as fulfilling. We’re building up young people, not just players. There will be mistakes, but the goal is growth.

So I’ll leave you with this:

• 🗣️ What kind of voice will you be in your player’s head?

• 🤝 What talent can you share with your coaching community?

• 🛠️ Can you identify your mistakes, accept them, and apply those lessons to your next build?

Coaching is such a privilege isn’t it?

Thank you for reading.

David Simoes - DS3 Hockey Development

Finished product that I will need to maintain to keep in good working order. Nothing is ever a fully complete project.