FREE TOOLS AND TIPS
Keys to Building USABLE STRENGTH with Bands
Follow along with Dave as he shows you how to use bands to train your body for more strength and endurance…
Read MoreRespect in Sport, Certifications & League Rules — What Parents Need to Know
If you are a hockey parent, it can sometimes feel like there is a new form, certification, or league requirement waiting around every corner. Between registering for teams, arranging transportation, buying equipment, and supporting your young player, it is easy to overlook important requirements such as Respect in Sport training, coaching certifications, and league rules. However…
Read MoreSummer Hockey: The Hidden Costs No One Talks About
Summer hockey has become a major part of youth hockey culture, especially for competitive players who dream about making higher-level teams, junior hockey, college hockey, or beyond. There are certainly benefits to summer training, but there are also hidden costs that many players, parents, and even coaches do not fully recognize until they are deep into the process…
Read MoreStick Blade Angle on Incoming Passes
Hockey players hear it all the time: “Have your stick on the ice.” But that alone doesn’t guarantee you’ll control a pass. In fact, most bobbled pucks happen even when the blade is down — because the blade isn’t turned to the correct angle. The real key to clean puck reception is simple, but almost…
Read MoreWhat Youth Hockey Boards Actually Do — And How They Impact Your Child
Most parents enter youth hockey focused mainly on their child’s team, coach, and game schedule. They think about practices, tournaments, equipment, ice time, and player development. But behind almost every youth hockey organization is another group quietly shaping the experience for every family in the program: the board of directors.
Read MoreCoaching Turnover: What It Means for Player Development
Few things change the direction of a hockey season faster than coaching turnover. One year a team may have a coach who focuses heavily on skill development, puck possession, and confidence-building, while the next year a completely different coaching style suddenly appears. For hockey players, parents, and even assistant coaches, these changes can create excitement, confusion, stress, or new opportunities depending on the situation.
Read MoreHockey School, Clinic & Team Gear Available
After years of running hockey schools, clinics, and team sessions, I’ve accumulated a lot of training gear — the kind of equipment that keeps players moving, learning, and improving without wasting time in long lines. And I’m now making the remaining pieces available to anyone who can put them to good use…
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 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.
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