In this post, we explore the theory behind attacking a defender with their toes pointed at you — a subtle yet devastating tactic that elite players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have mastered. Understanding how to exploit a defender’s body positioning can create separation, generate high-danger scoring opportunities, and give attackers a significant…

When Talent Isn’t Enough: Teaching Kids the Value of Effort in Hockey Effort is one of the toughest things to teach, especially when you have a young player who’s always been naturally talented. The email we received highlights a parent’s struggle with two very different hockey journeys between her kids. Her older son worked…

The Power of Consistency: Why Long-Term Coaching Relationships Matter Consistency is one of the most overlooked yet critical elements in player development. To fully grasp the nuances of a coach’s philosophy and make meaningful progress, players need time. Time for repetition, progression, and dialogue that deepens understanding. Without it, the potential impact of coaching…

The Hidden MVP: Embracing Your Role on the Team In hockey, everyone wants to be the Conor McDavid—the superstar who gets the glory, the highlights, and the accolades. But let me frame this a bit differently using an analogy from Formula 1 racing. Stick with me here. When you watch a race, what do…

Balancing Development and Winning When to Shorten the Bench in Youth Hockey 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…

The Voices You Should Listen To & Those You Shouldn’t Parents in youth hockey often struggle with knowing whose advice to take and whose to ignore. The truth is, the most helpful voices come from those who focus on long-term growth, not short-term glory. Let’s break down the difference between advice worth listening to…

Adapting To Changes In Youth Hockey Development Pathways Hey hockey families, let’s talk about the evolving pathways for young players. With recent shifts in rules and opportunities, we’re seeing new dynamics in how kids approach their hockey journey. Whether you’re eyeing the CHL, NCAA, or other leagues, the big question is: how does this…

The Misunderstanding In Youth Hockey Development Hey hockey parents, coaches, and players! Let’s talk about a big misconception in youth hockey development: the idea that more ice time and skill drills alone will make you a better player. While these are important, they’re not the whole picture. In fact, this mindset can often leave…

The Pros And Cons Of Playing On A “Good Team” Hey hockey families! Today, let’s break down the pros and cons of playing on a “good team” and how it affects player development. Plus, we’ll talk about what kind of players might benefit more from being on a strong team or a weaker one….

Let Kids Play! Why Early Specialization Isn’t The Key to Success in Sports The intensity with which some parents approach youth sports, especially hockey, mirrors the mindset of older players or those closer to professional levels. It’s understandable—parents see the stakes rising as their kids age, so they assume starting early gives them an…