Balancing Development and Winning

Let’s talk about one of the most heated debates in youth hockey: benching kids. This comes up all the time, and the truth is, it’s not a simple yes-or-no answer. It’s situational, and it depends on what level of hockey we’re talking about and what the goal is—development or winning.

Let’s start with the two extremes. On one end, you’ve got your youngest players—four or five years old, just learning to skate, barely knowing which way to shoot. At that level, it’s 100% about development. Every kid needs equal ice time because the focus is on learning, having fun, and touching the puck as much as possible. Winning doesn’t matter here.

On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got professional hockey. At that level, it’s all about winning. Players are paid to perform, and coaches are hired to get results. Development is over—you’re expected to come in as a finished product. If you’re on the fourth line getting six minutes of ice time, you make the most of those six minutes, or you’re replaced.

Now, let’s fill in the middle ground, where most of us live. Youth hockey, competitive levels, juniors, college—all of these sit somewhere between pure development and pure competition. The younger the age group, the more it should lean toward development. The older the player, the more winning takes priority.

Take a competitive AAA team, for example. It’s reasonable to manage ice time in certain situations. If it’s a close game or a crucial faceoff, the coach might lean on the top line a bit more. Maybe you’ve got a kid who’s struggling with penalties or effort—pulling them off for a shift can send a message and help them learn. But over the course of the season, ice time should balance out, and every player should feel like they’re part of the team.

House league? Totally different. That’s where you let kids play. Even in a championship game, you’re not skipping over kids to win a trophy. It’s about making sure everyone has a positive experience.

The problem is, parents often don’t see the nuance. They’ll look at one decision—a shortened bench, for example—and assume the coach doesn’t care about their kid. But the reality is, every decision in coaching has context. Is this a development moment or a winning moment? What’s best for the team, and what’s best for the player?

At the end of the day, good coaches know how to strike the balance. They’ll use moments to teach and discipline, but they’ll also make sure everyone has a chance to contribute and improve. So instead of asking, “Should kids be benched?” ask, “What’s the purpose of this game?” If it’s development, give them all the ice time. If it’s winning, maybe some tough calls need to be made.

It’s not about being fair—it’s about being balanced. And that balance shifts depending on the level of hockey, the age of the players, and what you’re trying to achieve.