A Coach’s Notebook

Inclusive Locker Room Culture Tips

By CoachC | November 14, 2025
Inclusive Locker Room Culture Tips

Creating an inclusive locker room culture in hockey is one of the most powerful ways to improve team chemistry, individual confidence, and overall performance. A locker room should never feel like a place of stress, worry, or judgment…

Concussion Return Steps for Parents

By CoachC | November 12, 2025
Concussion Return Steps for Parents

In a sport where toughness and resilience are valued, it can be tempting for players to shrug off a hit to the head or try to get back on the ice before they’re truly ready. But concussions are brain injuries, and unlike a sore shoulder or a bruised knee, they need careful time and attention to heal properly. Understanding how to safely return after a concussion isn’t just about protecting a season—it’s about protecting the player’s long-term health and future in the game…

Managing Goalie Workload in Youth Hockey

By CoachC | November 9, 2025
Managing Goalie Workload in Youth Hockey

Managing goalie workload in youth hockey is one of the most overlooked aspects of player development, yet it may be the most important when it comes to long-term success and overall enjoyment of the game. Goaltending requires a combination of explosive movement, sharp focus, and emotional resilience that few other positions in sports demand. The physical and mental pressures that come with being the last line of defense make it crucial for coaches, parents, and goalies themselves to understand how to manage workload properly. Without balance, even the most talented young goalie can experience fatigue, frustration, and eventually, burnout…

Decision Making Under Fatigue Drills

By CoachC | November 7, 2025
Decision Making Under Fatigue Drills

Decision-making under fatigue is a skill that doesn’t come from reading playbooks or sitting in the locker room; it’s built on the ice through well-designed drills that challenge both the body and mind. The ability to think clearly after a hard shift or at the end of a game can make the difference between winning and losing, and that’s why learning to train under fatigue is so important for serious players who want to elevate their game…

Late Bloomers in Hockey Training

By CoachC | November 5, 2025
Late Bloomers in Hockey Training

In the world of hockey, players often develop at very different speeds. Some seem to dominate early, skating faster, shooting harder, and standing taller than everyone else. Others, though, might take a little longer to grow into their game. These are the late bloomers, the players who might not catch everyone’s attention at age twelve…

High School Hockey Periodization Guide

By CoachC | November 3, 2025
High School Hockey Periodization Guide

High school hockey is one of the most demanding levels of the game, balancing academics, athletics, and personal growth all at once. Periodization is a science-based approach to training that organizes the year into manageable phases. It ensures players are performing their best when it matters most, such as during playoffs, while still staying healthy and motivated throughout the year…

Coach Chic’s Hockey Podcast 68

By CoachC | November 1, 2025
Coach Chic’s Hockey Podcast 66

Don’t forget to grab all you can from this awesome site, and make this coming month one to truly remember…

Breaking the Pressure Cycle and Resetting After a Mistake

By CoachC | October 30, 2025
Breaking the Pressure Cycle and Resetting After a Mistake

Every hockey player, no matter how talented or experienced, has made a mistake that felt like the end of the world in the middle of a game. Maybe it was a turnover that led to a goal, a missed open net, or a bad penalty that gave the other team momentum. What often happens next is what really matters…

Low Slot Attack Strategies

By CoachC | October 27, 2025
Low Slot Attack Strategies

In hockey, few places on the ice are as dangerous — or as rewarding — as the low slot. It’s the area directly in front of the net, where goals are most often scored and where defenders fight the hardest to protect their territory. Mastering how to attack from this zone is one of the surest ways to elevate offensive play, and understanding the strategies that make it work can help any player or coach turn scoring opportunities into consistent results…

Mastering the “Quiet Shift

By CoachC | October 24, 2025
Mastering the “Quiet Shift

Mastering what’s called the “quiet shift” separates those who play the game from those who understand it. A quiet shift isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing everything with intention, precision, and balance. It’s the ability to influence the flow of a game without needing to stand out on every play.