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Coaches' Toolbox


Brandon Hagel’s Path to the NHL and Team Canada – And What We Can Learn from It (On and Off the Ice)
Brandon Hagel’s journey to the NHL and Team Canada is one of perseverance, resilience, and a relentless work ethic. For players, parents,...

Edward Garinger
6 min read


The St. Louis Blues 2019 Championship Run: What We Can Learn From It
The St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup victory was one of the most improbable championship runs in NHL history. At the start of January...

Edward Garinger
5 min read


The Archives - OHL/OHF U16 Program of Excellence Practice Plans 2011
The OHF/OHL U16 Program of Excellence was a development experience designed to educate and inform players and parents. The goals of the...

Edward Garinger
2 min read


The Time We Forfeited the AAA High School Quarterfinal Championship Game - And Why I’d Do It Again
Every coach, player, and parent who has been part of a championship-caliber hockey team knows the emotional investment that comes with a...

Edward Garinger
4 min read


Tips for March Break Hockey Tournaments: A Guide for Coaches, Parents, and Players
March break hockey tournaments are an exciting time for players, parents, and coaches. With multiple games in a short period, these...

Edward Garinger
4 min read


The Archives - OHL/OHF U15 Program of Excellence Practice Plans 2019
The OHF/OHL U15 Program of Excellence is a development experience designed to educate and inform players and parents. The goals of the...

Edward Garinger
2 min read


How to Establish and Articulate Your Core Coaching Values in Hockey
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.

Edward Garinger
5 min read


Bondra Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all lines. Drill Execution: Initial Pass & Neutral Zone Movement: 1....

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Erie Wheel Warm-Up
Setup: Goalies in nets. Four lines of players positioned in the corners. Pucks placed in all four corners. Drill Description: On the...

Edward Garinger
2 min read


Barons Shooting Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all lines. Drill Description: X1 and O1 start skating backward at the...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Nords Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all blue lines. Drill Description: Player O1 skates backwards towards...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Scrambler Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all lines.. Drill Description: Player X1 starts with the puck at the...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Quick Pass Flow Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all lines. Drill Execution: Both sides start at the same time. X1...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Stevie Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all lines. Opposite lines go at the same time and mirror each other (...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Lanny Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all blue lines. Drill Description: O1 steps out toward the middle and...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Bure Speed Warm-Up Drill
Setup: Four lines of players positioned at the blue lines. Pucks at all lines. Drill Description: On the whistle, O1 accelerates with...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


One of the Prettiest Offensive Zone Set Face-Off Plays I've Ever Seen (Part One)
Tic-tac-toe face-off goals are rare, even with the man advantage. Of course it certainly helps to have talent like Kevin Hancock ...

Edward Garinger
1 min read


Cell Phones and Their Impact on Hockey Performance at Different Age Levels
Technology is ingrained in our daily lives, and for young athletes, cell phones are an ever-present part of their world. Whether for social media, gaming, texting, or watching videos, cell phones provide constant stimulation and connection. But in the world of hockey, where focus, discipline, and teamwork are essential, cell phones can both affect and effect performance—depending on how they are used.

Edward Garinger
5 min read


Empowering Players: Why Minor Hockey Coaches Should Let Players Choose Drills (Once in a While)
As a minor hockey coach, you spend countless hours planning practices, developing skill progressions, and structuring each session with a...

Edward Garinger
6 min read


Why You Should Have Several Coaching Mentors (Including a Couple That Are Younger or Less Experienced Than You)
Coaching hockey is a never-ending learning process. No matter how many years you’ve been behind the bench, the game continues to evolve,...

Edward Garinger
6 min read
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