Bench Management

A championship-level team isn’t just about the top line or star defense pair. The “weakest” player on your bench matters, too. Elevating everyone’s skill—especially those who might see limited minutes—creates depth, fosters unity, and can produce unexpected heroes when injuries or fatigue strike.

Hockey is a game of speed, skill, and strategy, but it's also a game of opportunity. For junior hockey players, coaches, and parents, one of the harshest realities is that not all players are created equal. Some players have natural talent, elite-level skill, or simply a knack for making an impact in games. Others may work tirelessly in practice, be great teammates, and bring character to a team—but still find themselves sitting on the bench when the game is on the line.

In 2011, the Owen Sound Attack made history by capturing their first-ever Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Championship, securing the J. Ross...

Making the leap from being a player to a coach in youth hockey can be exciting yet overwhelming. It offers a chance to give back to the sport you love while facing the challenge of guiding the next generation of athletes. To transition effectively, you need more than game knowledge—it's about changing your mindset and expanding your skill set. Here’s how you can navigate this rewarding shift.

I started writing this article in February 2025. In March 2025, an underdog in the League I've been involved in for 13 years beat a very...

Jon Cooper’s career is one of the most remarkable coaching success stories in hockey. Unlike many NHL coaches who climbed the ranks as former professional players, Cooper took an unconventional path, transitioning from a career in law to coaching. His journey from coaching high school hockey to leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 offers invaluable lessons for coaches, players, and parents.

For hockey players, coaches, and parents, the world of Junior hockey can often feel like an ever-evolving puzzle, with multiple moving pieces and unexpected twists and turns. It’s a sport built on passion, teamwork, and an insatiable drive to improve every single day. And yet, behind the on-ice action, there lies a realm of administrative work, roster building, budgeting, and season-planning that can be just as crucial to a team’s success as any perfectly executed power play.

Every hockey coach will, at some point, run into a goaltender who seems unbeatable. A hot goalie in a playoff series can be the single biggest obstacle between your team and the next round. When a netminder is dialed in, the usual tactics might not work, and frustration can set in. But there are ways to break through. Beating a hot goalie isn’t just about shooting more; it’s about creating the right kinds of chances, wearing them down, and making their job as difficult as pos

The St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup victory was one of the most improbable championship runs in NHL history. At the start of January...

March break hockey tournaments are an exciting time for players, parents, and coaches. With multiple games in a short period, these...

As a hockey coach, your core values define who you are, what you stand for, and how you lead your team. They influence every decision you make—from how you structure practices to how you handle adversity. More importantly, they set the tone for your players and staff, shaping the team’s culture and long-term success.

Tic-tac-toe face-off goals are rare, even with the man advantage. Of course it certainly helps to have talent like Kevin Hancock ...

Coaching hockey is a never-ending learning process. No matter how many years you’ve been behind the bench, the game continues to evolve,...

In hockey, coaching is as much about learning as it is about teaching. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting, there will always be moments when you see another team do something intriguing—an effective forecheck, a creative breakout, a unique power play setup, or even a well-structured practice drill. When you come across something that sparks your curiosity, one of the best ways to learn more is to reach out to the coach who implemented it.

As a hockey coach, facing a superior opponent in the playoffs can feel daunting. They have more skill, depth, and experience—but that...

When Ted Lasso  first aired, many assumed it was just another lighthearted sports comedy. Instead, it became a cultural phenomenon, offering profound lessons on leadership, resilience, and human connection. While Ted’s world revolves around soccer, the principles he embodies translate seamlessly to hockey. His approach to coaching, team culture, and personal development provides valuable insights for hockey coaches, players, and parents alike.

As hockey coaches, we all love a good story about creative strategy, rule exploitation, or out-of-the-box thinking that forces leagues to...

Hockey has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, with advancements in analytics, skill development, and game strategy shaping a...

Even the most talented rosters can unravel if conflicts fester. Personal rivalries, clique formation, or misunderstandings about roles...

One of the biggest challenges in coaching hockey today is managing player ice time and roles in a way that keeps both the team and...