President Mark — Even in the NHL: Coach the Next Play — Lesson 3 of 8.
Choose your age-specific lesson
President Mark’s NHL example is adapted into five separate lessons. Each has its own Coach–Player and Coach–Parent exchange, practice steps and Parent quiz.
U5–U7 — Keep Playing After the Drop
U8–U10 — Learn Your Next Position
U11–U14 — Notice the Opponent’s Move
U15–U18 — Agree on the Faceoff Plan
Junior — Adjust to the Matchup
Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. This lesson uses that perspective to improve the conversation after a lost faceoff. The goal is a useful exchange between Coach and Player, and a clear explanation between Coach and Parent.
All conversations are suggested THR language, not quotes from NHL Coaches. Return to the series guide for the full approach.
Start with the NHL example
In 2022–23, Patrice Bergeron won 1,043 of 1,706 faceoffs, a 61.1% win rate. Subtraction gives 663 faceoffs lost. NHL career retrospective.
A lost draw is not automatically a technical error. The opposing Player competes too. Across all recorded faceoff participants, each win has a matching loss; the event-weighted league rate is 50%. NHL percentages are perspective, not targets for children.
Coach Q&A: a recommended response
Question: How should I respond after a young Player loses a faceoff?
Coach: “Johnny, even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Stay in the play. Your next job starts when the puck drops.”
Johnny: “I lost it again.”
Coach: “You did. What happened when the puck dropped? We can practice one adjustment. Your next job is to stay with the play and complete your assignment.”
This is an example exchange. Listen to the real Player’s explanation and adjust the instruction to the actual play. The NHL example puts the setback in perspective; the teaching gives the Player something to do.
Coach to Player: adapt the words by age
| Age group | Suggested exchange |
|---|---|
| U5–U7 | “Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Johnny, find the puck and keep playing.” |
| U8–U10 | “Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Johnny, if we lose it, get back into position.” |
| U11–U14 | “Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Johnny, what did the other center do? Let’s practice one adjustment.” |
| U15–U18 | “Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Johnny, tell your wingers the plan and know your job if we lose the draw.” |
| Junior | “Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Johnny, review the opponent’s setup and our recovery assignment. Choose one adjustment for the next draw.” |
Use the short cue during a game and demonstrate it at practice. Age is a starting point: experience, readiness and the program’s purpose also matter.
Coach to Parent: explain the same lesson
Parent: “If Johnny loses draws, should you stop putting him at center?”
Coach: “Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. One draw is too little information. We look at preparation, technique, experience and what happens after the drop. At this level, we also consider the program’s development goals.”
Coach, on support at home: “Encourage him to ask what to practice. Please avoid making every faceoff a judgment on whether he belongs at center.”
| Age group | What the Coach can explain to the Parent |
|---|---|
| U5–U7 | Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. We are learning to find the puck and keep playing. Some young-age formats do not need a faceoff lesson. |
| U8–U10 | Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. We are teaching the start and the next position, with opportunities to practice. |
| U11–U14 | Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Johnny will identify one technical adjustment and his responsibility after the draw. |
| U15–U18 | Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. We will review communication with the wingers and execution of the planned assignment. |
| Junior | Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. The Player will review the matchup and draw strategy with the Coach; preparation and follow-through matter. |
For older Players, involve the Player in the conversation and let them explain their learning goal. A Junior Player should lead their own performance discussion.
Change the exchange
| Common phrase | A more useful exchange |
|---|---|
| “You never win a draw.” | Johnny, even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. Stay in the play. Your next job starts when the puck drops. |
| “He’s bad at faceoffs.” | Even excellent NHL faceoff Players lose draws. One draw is too little information. We look at preparation, technique, experience and what happens after the drop. At this level, we also consider the program’s development goals. |
Practice the recovery
1. Demonstrate the starting position and one technique suited to the Player.
2. Take a few draws against an appropriate partner, keeping the contest safe.
3. Continue play for a few seconds. Rehearse the recovery assignment after either outcome.
What progress looks like: The Player prepares, attempts the taught technique and completes the next assignment. Percentages need enough opportunities and context to be useful.
Keep the expectation clear: Do not use an NHL percentage as a pass-or-fail threshold for a child. Match the lesson to the rules and game format.
Parent quiz: apply the lesson
Bergeron won 1,043 of 1,706 faceoffs in 2022–23. What does that example demonstrate?
A. A strong faceoff Player can still lose many draws.
B. Every child should win at least 61.1% of draws.
C. A lost faceoff proves poor effort.
D. Only the center has a job after the drop.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer A. The difference is 663 lost draws despite a 61.1% winning rate.
What the Parent can say to the Player
“A draw does not decide who you are as a Player. What did you do after it?”
The Parent’s role is to listen, encourage and support the agreed learning goal. In House League, keep the primary objective—having fun—visible in the conversation. Competitive development programs should explain their expectations honestly.
Even in the NHL, mistakes and setbacks happen. Put the play in perspective. Teach one adjustment. Practice the recovery.
Explore all eight lessons in Even in the NHL: Coach the Next Play.
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