A Coach’s Notebook

Mental Toughness & Focus Training

By CoachC | June 4, 2025

What separates the good players from the great ones — especially at the high school level — is mental toughness and the ability to stay focused when the pressure’s on.

Game-smart Strategies

By CoachC | May 30, 2025

Helping your high school players grow smarter on the ice is one of the most valuable things one can do as a coach. Skills and conditioning are important, no doubt, but hockey IQ is what separates the good players from the great ones.

Strengthen Team Chemistry

By CoachC | May 25, 2025

I’m thankful for another hockey friend for submitting the following to our Ask The Coach tool. I’ve always said that I can only get better as an advisor if I’m being challenged in some way. So, thanks, Coach Helen, for this one. ~ Dennis C * Hey Coach Helen, thanks a ton for reaching out…

Enhancing Goaltending Reflexes

By CoachC | May 16, 2025

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3 Defensive Skill Drills

By CoachC | May 15, 2025

This post is an example of what can be gained from one of our Exclusive Hockey Apps. To be honest, these are drills I haven’t even considered before, yet ones that I’d surely use today. ~ Dennis C Anticipation Interception DrillThis drill helps players improve their ability to intercept passes and understand passing lanes. Set…

3 Offensive Skill Drills

By CoachC | May 14, 2025

This post is an example of what can be gained from one of our Exclusive Hockey Apps. To be honest, these are drills I haven’t even considered before, yet ones that I’d surely use today. ~ Dennis C Peripheral Vision Passing DrillThis drill is designed to improve spatial awareness and passing accuracy. Set up three…

Power Up Your Hockey Endurance

By CoachC | May 11, 2025

During the off-season, many youth hockey families face a tough challenge: how to keep their teenagers in top shape when ice time is hard to come by. Ice rinks may shut down for maintenance, or costs and scheduling make regular access difficult. But staying in shape during the off-season doesn’t have to be expensive or…

Puck Control Secrets for Young Players

By CoachC | May 8, 2025

I thought I’d try something new this month (and I wouldn’t mind trying it again during future months). Danny, a Mite coach from Southern California wrote me recently and asked if he could contribute to our CoachChic.com format. Of course, I have to be sure all the ideas provided by the guest coach meet our…

“Tips for Skating Speed and Agility”

By CoachC | May 6, 2025

Continuing with our want to answer a bunch of questions that have accumulated from our Ask The Coach area, I’m excited to address a great one from a coach named “Chuck” from the West Coast of the USA… ~ Dennis C Improving skating speed and agility is a game-changer for high school hockey players looking…

Mental Toughness for High-Stakes Hockey

By CoachC | May 4, 2025

I received a really challenging question from a hockey dad who hopes to help his Bantam AAA son improve his mental toughness while competing in the state of Maine (USA). Supporting an athlete at a higher youth hockey level is an exciting yet challenging journey for any parent. So, as his son navigates the high-pressure…