Spring Hockey: The Truth Nobody Tells You

Alright, hockey parents and players, let’s talk about spring hockey. Is it the golden ticket to the NHL? Spoiler alert: it’s not. And before you think I’m just here to criticize, hear me out—I’ve been in the hockey world my whole life, and I’ve seen the reality.

Here’s the deal: spring hockey is marketed as essential. Fancy tournaments, exclusive invites, promises of scouts watching your kid—sounds amazing, right? But the truth is, most of it is just marketing. It’s a business. Everyone gets that ‘special invite,’ and you’re not paying for elite development; you’re paying for someone else’s mortgage.

The reality is, the top-level people—NHL scouts, junior coaches, and others I talk to—don’t value it the way you think. In fact, they say the opposite: Step away from the game. Let your body recover. Play a different sport. Why? Because becoming a better hockey player isn’t about just playing more games. It’s about improving your skills, building athleticism, and staying hungry.

When kids go straight from a full season into spring hockey, they lose that hunger. The excitement of stepping onto the ice in September fades when you’ve been skating nonstop. Hockey starts to feel like a chore instead of something they love.

Now, am I saying spring hockey is always a waste of time? No. There are a few situations where it can make sense. If your kid had a tough year—maybe a bad coach, or they didn’t enjoy the season—spring hockey could be a way to reignite their love for the game. If they missed months due to injury, it might help them ease back into hockey. Or if they just want to play for fun with friends, go for it. But that’s the key: fun, not pressure.

If you’re thinking about spring hockey because someone told you all the future stars are there—don’t buy it. Sure, some good players might show up, but the best players don’t make it because they played every spring tournament. They make it because they worked hard during the regular season, took time to recover, and stayed excited to come back stronger.

So, if you’re still itching to keep your kid involved in hockey during the off-season, here’s my alternative: focus on their development, not just playing more games. In my opinion, the number one thing scouts care about is your skating. It’s the foundation of everything in hockey—speed, agility, edge work—it’s what sets great players apart.

Instead of spending thousands on tournaments, invest in a good skating coach, skatemill sessions, or skill development sessions. Hit the ice with purpose and work on the mechanics that will actually make a difference. If you can’t find a coach, even open ice to practice edges, explosiveness, and puck control will go further than endless spring games.

As a parent, your investment should be in your kid’s overall development. Let them play other sports. Lacrosse, baseball, soccer—whatever they enjoy. It builds athleticism and keeps their mind fresh. When hockey season comes back, they’ll be rested, excited, and ready to give it their all.

At the end of the day, spring hockey isn’t necessary to develop a great hockey player. It’s a choice. But if you’re going to make that choice, make sure it’s for the right reasons. Keep it fun. Keep the love for the game alive. And most importantly, keep them hungry for what really matters—the regular season. And if you’re looking for an edge, remember this: You can always work more on your skating. That’s where the game is won.