Thinking the Game – as a Goaltender
Summer Skills Camps: What Actually Transfers to Real Games?
Every summer, hockey players across North America sign up for hockey skills camps with the goal of becoming better players before the next season begins. Parents invest time and money into skating camps, stickhandling clinics, shooting programs, and specialized development sessions because they want to help their players improve. Coaches often encourage athletes to use the off-season wisely and continue developing their game. The big question, however…
Read MoreHow to Build a Development‑First Mindset in a Results‑Driven Hockey Culture
In today’s hockey world, it can feel like everything revolves around results. Players are judged by goals, points, rankings, and team records almost everywhere they go. Parents sometimes compare ice time, coaches feel pressure to win tournaments, and young hockey players can start believing that success only comes from being the top scorer or making the elite team right away. The problem is that hockey development rarely works in a straight line. Some players grow early, some develop confidence later, and many successful athletes spend years quietly improving before anyone notices.
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 MoreThe 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 New Goalie Question: Should Kids Be Learning RVH This Early?
Before we even get into the pros and cons, it helps to understand exactly what the RVH is. RVH stands for “Reverse Vertical‑Horizontal,” and it’s a modern post‑integration technique used by goalies when the puck is near the goal line or in tight around the corners. Instead of standing upright or using the old-school VH…
Read MoreWhy Young Defensemen Struggle With Retrievals — And How to Train Them
While coaches spend a lot of time teaching breakouts, passing, and positioning, the moment of retrieving the puck is where everything begins. If a defenseman cannot get to the puck cleanly, handle pressure, and make a smart first decision, the entire play breaks down before it even starts.
Read MoreDeveloping One World‑Class Skill — Part 2
Every player has a natural leaning — something they do a little better than the rest. The key is identifying that strength early and building it into something undeniable. In this episode, we break down the process of selecting the right skill, understanding what makes it valuable, and creating a training approach that actually sticks.
Read MoreBuilding Better On-Ice Communication Habits for Youth Teams
One of the most important but often overlooked skills in youth hockey is communication. Many players spend hours working on skating, shooting, and puck control, but very little time is spent learning how to talk to teammates on the ice. The truth is, strong on-ice communication can make an average team much more effective, while poor communication can cause even skilled players to struggle.
Read MoreTeaching Players to Think One Pass Ahead
Thinking one pass ahead simply means that a player already knows their next option before the puck arrives on their stick. Instead of receiving a pass and then trying to figure out what to do, they scan the ice early, read the defensive pressure, and prepare their next move. This type of anticipation separates reactive players from intelligent, proactive players.
Read MoreWhy I Need to Hear From You — Often
This site has always been about teaching the game — and teaching it in a way that actually helps you, your players, or your son or daughter. And here’s the truth I want to put front and center today:
I can only do that if I hear from you. Not once in a while. Not once a season. Regularly.
Read More