President Mark — Even in the NHL: Coach the Next Play — Lesson 4 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 — Get Ready With Support
U11–U14 — Find the Shot Through Traffic
U15–U18 — Review Depth and Coverage
Junior — Own the Reset and Review
Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. This lesson uses that perspective to improve the conversation after a goal against. 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
Sergei Bobrovsky allowed five goals before being replaced in Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. NHL Game 4 report. He later made 23 saves in Florida’s Cup-winning Game 7. NHL Game 7 report.
A goal against is a Team event, not automatic proof of a Goalie error. Identify what the Goalie could control and what help was missing. A comeback story offers perspective; it does not promise the same result next game.
Coach Q&A: a recommended response
Question: How should I respond when a young Goalie is upset after allowing a goal?
Coach: “Johnny, NHL Goalies have hard games too. Take a breath. Let’s get ready for the next puck.”
Johnny: “I let everyone down.”
Coach: “We are a Team, and we will review the play together. Right now, take a breath and get ready. Later, we’ll choose one detail you can work on.”
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 NHL Goalies have difficult games. Johnny, find the puck. Get ready with me.” |
| U8–U10 | “Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. Johnny, take a breath and find your ready position.” |
| U11–U14 | “Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. Johnny, could you see the release? Let’s work on finding the puck through traffic.” |
| U15–U18 | “Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. Johnny, review your sightline and depth with the Goalie Coach. Choose one cue for the next sequence.” |
| Junior | “Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. Johnny, use your reset routine. We’ll review the controllable detail and the Team’s coverage together.” |
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: “After that many goals, is Johnny ready for this level?”
Coach: “Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. The score alone cannot answer that. We will examine the shots, sightlines, coverage and the details Johnny can control. We also need to hear how he experienced the game.”
Coach, on support at home: “Let him know he has your support. A calm invitation to talk is more useful than reviewing every goal before he is ready.”
| Age group | What the Coach can explain to the Parent |
|---|---|
| U5–U7 | Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. We want the child comfortable participating and ready for another manageable attempt. |
| U8–U10 | Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. We are building a simple ready-position routine and enjoyable practice. |
| U11–U14 | Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. Johnny can help describe what he saw before choosing one adjustment with the Goalie Coach. |
| U15–U18 | Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. We will review controllable details and the Team’s defensive responsibilities together. |
| Junior | Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. The Goalie and coaching staff should lead the review of preparation, execution and role expectations. |
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 have to stop that.” | Johnny, NHL Goalies have hard games too. Take a breath. Let’s get ready for the next puck. |
| “The Goalie cost us the game.” | Even NHL Goalies have difficult games. The score alone cannot answer that. We will examine the shots, sightlines, coverage and the details Johnny can control. We also need to hear how he experienced the game. |
Practice the recovery
1. Agree on a short between-attempt reset: breathe, locate the puck and prepare.
2. Choose one technical detail with the Goalie Coach. Begin with manageable shots and clear sightlines.
3. Add difficulty gradually. Include the skaters when coverage or screening contributed to the problem.
What progress looks like: The Goalie uses the reset and attempts the agreed adjustment. Readiness and tracking can improve even when an opponent still scores.
Keep the expectation clear: Do not promise a shutout, an immediate bounce-back win or that every goal was someone else’s fault. Give an honest review with useful support.
Parent quiz: apply the lesson
Bobrovsky’s difficult Game 4 and later Cup-winning Game 7 provide perspective for young Goalies. Which claim goes beyond that evidence?
A. A difficult game can be followed by a better performance.
B. One game does not describe a whole career.
C. A difficult game guarantees a win in the next appearance.
D. The next preparation is still worth attention.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer C. A later recovery does not guarantee any Goalie’s next result.
What the Parent can say to the Player
“That was a difficult game. I’m here. Would you like company, quiet or a conversation?”
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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