Minor Hockey

In youth sports today, the pressure to specialize early is higher than ever. Many young hockey players are urged—sometimes by their...

In the early 2000s, OHL teams and their coaches frequently partnered with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association to host OMHA Game Day...

It was my last year of minor hockey. You know that time—when you’re not quite an adult but definitely no longer a kid. Hormones...

There’s a long list of things you might expect to happen during a hockey game—too many men penalties, line brawls, maybe even a fire...

When I was 17 years old, I made a decision I’ve spent years trying to make sense of—and, sometimes, wishing I could get in a time machine...

When I look back on my minor hockey days, a few moments stand out vividly—but one above all: the night I scored four goals against my...

Like anyone who has played sports, my coaching philosophy has been shaped by a mix of positive and negative influences. I've learned from...

This past weekend, standing up in the stands rather than in my usual spot alone down on the glass in the corner (partly to sit with my...

There’s a sentence that’s been rolling around in my head for a while now: “One of my former teammates coaches in the NHL, one of my...

This is a story I’ve told countless times, and while I can laugh about it now with friends and colleagues, it still speaks volumes about...

Introduction Hockey coaches face ethical dilemmas constantly—whether it’s deciding how to handle ice time, managing conflicts with...

Since its debut in 2016, Letterkenny  has become a cult favorite among hockey players and fans alike. What started as a small Canadian...

I’ll never forget the day an opposing team’s coach hurled a personal insult at me—calling me a “lying cheat, just like [my] old man.”...

When discussing the success or potential of a hockey player, it’s all too common for the conversation to revolve around goals, assists,...

The NHL 4 Nations Face Off was more than just an international hockey tournament—it was a showcase of the highest levels of skill,...

For defensemen, getting the puck to the net is a crucial skill, but too often, blue-liners focus on power over effectiveness. The common...

Having a team authority figure who drinks (excessively or otherwise) on the team bus and at games puts the entire organization in a...

Every hockey coach will, at some point, run into a goaltender who seems unbeatable. A hot goalie in a playoff series can be the single...

One of the most damaging mindsets in hockey today is the phrase: “It’s only AA,” “They just play B,” or “It’s only house league.”  These...

Preparation Meets Opportunity: My 2020 Coaching Interview Experience