U5–U7 Answer: Equal playing time should be the default. At this age, the priority is participation, confidence, learning, and fun. Kids need touches, shifts, mistakes,… Read More »2 – COACH JANE – Receive Equal Playing Time or Fair Playing Time?
U07–U08 Goalie Playing Time: What Builds Better Goalies? U07-U08 goalie playing time should focus on development, rotation, confidence, and meaningful game experience rather than simply… Read More »GOALIE COACH GAIL & GARY – Should U07–U08 Teams Have a Number-One Goalie?
U07–U08 Hockey Bench Shortening: Does It Hurt Development? U07–U08 hockey bench shortening can hurt player development because young players need meaningful ice time, game repetitions,… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Shortening the Bench in U7-U8 Hockey: Does It Hurt Development?
Every hockey generation looks for an advantage. A new training program. More ice. Better stick. Private lessons. Skills coach. Hockey school. Another tournament. Another showcase.… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – There Is No Secret to Hockey Success: Learn, Fail, Adjust and Keep Playing
Parents can easily find statistics. Goals. Assists. Wins. Losses. Rankings. Tournament results. Development is harder to measure. That leaves hockey families asking an important question:… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – How Can Parents Tell if Their Child Is Actually Developing in Hockey?
Few youth hockey subjects create arguments faster than playing time. Parents notice shifts. Players notice shifts. Coaches manage shifts. And everyone remembers the shift that… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Does Shortening the Bench Hurt Youth Hockey Player Development?
Defenceman turns the puck over. Forward misses an assignment. Goalie allows a poor goal. The player returns to the bench. What should happen next? Youth… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Should A Youth Hockey Player Be Benched for Mistakes?
Calling someone a bad hockey coach after one questionable decision is easy. Evaluating coaching properly is harder. A coach may shorten the bench once. A… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Is Your Hockey Coach Chasing Wins? Red Flags Parents Should Watch
Almost every youth hockey organization says it believes in player development. Almost every coach says development matters. The more useful question is: What does development… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – What Does a Development-Focused Youth Hockey Coach Actually Do?
Parents hear two competing messages throughout youth hockey. Winning matters. And: Development matters more than winning. Both statements can be true. Competitive hockey should teach… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Should Youth Hockey Coaches Prioritize Development or Winning?
