Coach Development

Introduction Coaching hockey is as much about decision-making off the ice as it is about strategy on it. Every season presents new...

The Erie Otters’ 2017 OHL Championship run was the culmination of years of careful team building, strong coaching, and player...

It’s a situation that’s more common than you’d think - but no less frustrating when you’re the one in it. Your son is trying out for another team in the same league where you coach or serve as a general manager. You’re proud of him. Curious. Maybe even a bit nervous. You just want to watch him skate. But when you reach out as a professional courtesy to let the other team’s GM know you’ll be in the stands - thinking he’ll say “Of course” - you’re met with a polite but firm: “I

Introduction In Part One, we explored some of the toughest ethical dilemmas hockey coaches face. But coaching is a never-ending series of...

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.

Alexandre Daigle’s hockey career is one of the most well-known cautionary tales in NHL history. Once the first overall pick in the 1993...

In the early 2000s, OHL teams and their coaches frequently partnered with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association to host OMHA Game Day...

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.

When I look back on my minor hockey days, a few moments stand out vividly—but one above all: the night I scored four goals against my former team—the same team that had cut me from their rep roster just a year earlier. That single game taught me lessons that have stayed with me for life: perseverance, redemption, and the pure satisfaction of proving something to myself when it mattered most.

There are moments in life that never leave you. Not because they’re glorious or triumphant—but because they hit you like a punch to the gut. They mark you. And no matter how far you’ve come since, they still echo.

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...

Like anyone who has played sports, my coaching philosophy has been shaped by a mix of positive and negative influences. I've learned from coaches across different sports, age groups, and personalities—some through great leadership, others by showing me exactly what not to do.

Disclosure: I wrote this article in February 2025, when I as a 'free agent', and before I joined a team as General Manager.

This is a story I’ve told countless times, and while I can laugh about it now with friends and colleagues, it still speaks volumes about a coach’s approach to hockey—and, more importantly, to life.

Introduction Hockey coaches face ethical dilemmas constantly—whether it’s deciding how to handle ice time, managing conflicts with...

Since its debut in 2016, Letterkenny has become a cult favorite among hockey players and fans alike. What started as a small Canadian comedy about the quirky residents of a fictional small town has grown into one of the most recognizable shows in hockey culture. At first glance, the fast-paced dialogue, running gags, and over-the-top characters might make it seem like a ridiculous take on hockey life. But if you dig deeper, you’ll see that

In January 2021, I attended the Attack Coaches Forum , hosted via Zoom by the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. The...

In hockey coaching, philosophical differences are inevitable. As a coach, you might have a vision for player development, team structure, or game strategy that differs from those above you—whether it’s the General Manager, President, or an Executive Board. The challenge is navigating these differences professionally while maintaining credibility, influence, and, most importantly, your job.

In junior and professional hockey, trades are an inevitable part of the game. Whether it's about improving team chemistry, filling a positional need, or developing players in a different environment, trades happen. However, for the player being moved, a trade is a deeply personal and often emotional experience.

In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of hockey coaching, disagreements are inevitable. Whether you're an assistant coach questioning the head coach’s systems, a head coach at odds with the general manager over roster decisions, or a development coach who believes in a different training methodology than the organization’s leadership, philosophical differences can—and will—arise.