Premium Content

Elite defenders do more than block shots—they dictate the game’s tempo, disrupt opponents’ best scorers, and spark transition plays. Building shutdown defensemen requires comprehensive training in positioning, stick work, body leverage, and game sense. When your blue line is anchored by rock-solid defenders, the entire team gains confidence.

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 youth sports today, the pressure to specialize early is higher than ever. Many young hockey players are urged—sometimes by their parents, sometimes by their coaches, and sometimes by their own internal drive—to dedicate themselves exclusively to the game at a young age. The argument is usually the same: If you don’t specialize early, you’ll fall behind.

Hockey is more than just the excitement of a game or the rush of victory. It is a rich tapestry of community, values, and personal growth. At the heart of this growth is mentorship, which is crucial in shaping future leaders in the sport. Mentorship helps young athletes navigate the challenges of hockey, instilling values that extend well beyond the rink. This blog post shines a light on how mentorship cultivates development, builds character, and prepares the next generation

Youth hockey is not just about high-energy games or budding athletes; it is also about the referees who ensure fair play on the ice. These officials are essential to the game but often go unnoticed. This post aims to highlight their stories, challenges, and the vital contributions they make to the sport.

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.

Navigating the junior hockey team selection process can feel overwhelming for young athletes and their families. With tryouts, skills assessments, and understanding what coaches want, it’s easy to feel lost. This guide aims to clarify the selection pathway, providing practical information that aspiring players need to position themselves for success.

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.

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.

Youth hockey is not just a pastime; it's a vital platform for developing essential life skills. Coaches play a crucial role in shaping both the technical abilities of young athletes and their character. In this post, we will look at how coaches impact youth hockey players and highlight the importance of character development alongside athletic training.

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 the world of hockey, there comes a time when a player or their family may feel a change of scenery is necessary. Whether it's due to lack of playing time, team culture, coaching style, development opportunities, or personal reasons, requesting a trade is a big decision that needs to be handled the right way. How you approach this situation can significantly impact not only the outcome but also your reputation in the hockey community.

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.

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.

Preparation Meets Opportunity: My 2020 Coaching Interview Experience

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.