A lot of players grow up hearing that the key to skating faster is simply pushing harder, and it sounds reasonable enough on the surface. But the truth is, the fastest skaters aren’t the ones muscling their way down the ice — they’re the ones moving efficiently…
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.
Many players think line changes are just a routine part of hockey, something you do when you get tired, but the truth is that poor line changes are one of the biggest causes of odd-man rushes.
While scoring is certainly important, strong teams know that the best forwards are also reliable in the defensive zone. A forward who understands defensive responsibility becomes far more valuable to a coach, a teammate, and the overall success of the team. Teaching forwards how to become dependable in their own end is one of the most important parts of youth hockey development, and it is a skill that builds smarter, more complete players.
A young hockey player can improve faster when he or she starts seeing the game as more than just skating hard and chasing the puck. High‑school athletes who separate themselves from the pack usually do it by understanding the deeper mechanics behind every stride, every pass, and every decision. When you begin to recognize how rhythm, timing, and body control shape your performance — and get to use the Skater’s Rhythm Bar, the game slows down in the best possible way.
With mental toughness always being a key to solid hockey play, we’re thrilled to once again present Shawnee Harle’s monthly insights into that area. And, in this video, she addresses an obvious concern with “Negative Self-talk”!
Follow along with Dave as he shows you how to use these bands to train your body for more strength and endurance…
With mental toughness always being a key to solid hockey play, we’re thrilled to once again present Shawnee Harle’s monthly insights into that area. And, in this video, she addresses an obvious concern with “Negative Self-talk”!
Most hockey players believe elite stickhandling is all about lightning-fast hands, fancy moves, and highlight-reel plays. Social media doesn’t help, because it shows the flash but not the foundation. In reality, the biggest difference between average stickhandlers and elite ones is not speed or creativity. It’s mastery of small, repeatable micro-skills that quietly show up on every shift. These details don’t look exciting on their own, but together they separate players who panic under pressure from players who stay calm and in control.
Scouting a hockey player is never easy, and it becomes even harder when the player is your own child or someone you coach closely. Emotions naturally get involved. Pride, worry, hope, and frustration can all shape what you think you see on the ice. Because of this, many well-meaning parents and coaches struggle to evaluate players fairly. Learning how to scout your own child or player without bias is an important skill, and when done right, it can support development instead of creating pressure or confusion.