Posts by CoachC
The Tryout Trap — How to Stay Sane During Team Selection Season
Every hockey season brings excitement, fresh goals, and new opportunities, but there is one part of the year that can create huge stress for players, parents, and coaches alike: hockey tryouts. Team selection season can feel like a pressure cooker. Players worry about making the top team, parents anxiously watch every drill from the stands, and coaches try to evaluate dozens of athletes fairly in only a few ice sessions. The truth is that hockey tryouts are emotional for almost everyone involved.
Read MoreThe AAA Mirage — Why Higher Level Doesn’t Always Mean Better Development
For many families, making a AAA team feels like the ultimate goal. It is often viewed as proof that a player is elite, serious about the game, and on the right path toward junior hockey, college hockey, or even beyond. Because of this reputation, many players and parents automatically assume that a higher level always means better development.
Read MoreThe Real Reason Parents & Coaches Clash — And How to Fix It
One of the biggest challenges in youth hockey is not always what happens on the ice. Sometimes the hardest part of the game happens behind the bench, in the stands, or in the parking lot after practice. Parents and coaches often want the same thing — helping young players grow, improve, and enjoy hockey — but even with good intentions, conflict can develop surprisingly quickly. Miscommunication, unrealistic expectations, and emotional reactions can turn small disagreements into ongoing tension.
Read MoreMYTH #14: “You should always dump the puck in certain situations.”
MYTH #14: “You should always dump the puck in certain situations.”
Read MoreThe Problems With Social Media In Hockey
In this episode, I’m taking you back to a moment that shaped the way I’ve looked at hockey drills for decades. It started in a Boston meeting room, long before USA Hockey had its current name, when a simple question opened my eyes to the hidden negatives tucked inside even our best‑intentioned drills.
Read MoreThe Equipment Rabbit Hole — How to Stop Overthinking Sticks, Skates & Sharpenings
It can feel like every small detail in hockey equipment is the reason for success or failure. This is what many people call the “equipment rabbit hole,” and it is easy to fall into. Players start to believe that the next stick or a different sharpening will suddenly fix their game. The truth is, while hockey equipment does matter, overthinking it can actually slow down development and take focus away from what really improves performance.
Read MoreFormer Blue Jackets forward Matt Davidson dies at 48
Former NHL forward Matt Davidson, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2000 to 2003, has died at the age of 48. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but tributes have been shared by the Blue Jackets, NHL Alumni Association, and fans. Davidson was also a WHL Portland Winter Hawks alumnus and had recently served in player personnel for the team…
Read MoreMYTH #13: “Systems create hockey sense.”
MYTH #13: “Systems create hockey sense.”
Read MoreMYTH #12: “Smart players are born, not developed.”
REALITY: Experience and coaching shape intelligence. EXPLANATION: Kids who are taught to scan, anticipate, and problem‑solve become “smart players”.
Read MoreHow to Build a Player Who Can Play Center and Wing
Learning how to play both center and wing is one of the most valuable skills a hockey player can develop, especially at the youth and high school level. Coaches are always looking for versatile players who can adapt to different roles, and players who understand both positions often have a higher hockey IQ and more opportunities to contribute.
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