Articles & Help

Everyone gets butterflies ..the secret is to get them to fly in formation...

Youth sport doesn’t exist in a bubble. What kids talk about in the dressing room is often a snapshot of their inner world.

One of the biggest mistakes in youth sport conditioning is treating kids like scaled-down adults. They’re not.

Some kids don’t act out — they shut down. Self-doubt, anxiety, or past failures can make a player feel like they don’t belong.

Coach Privately, Praise Publicly Correct quietly. Celebrate loudly. When coaching becomes punitive instead of supportive, we don’t just lo

Over the past 12 days, we’ve shared what hockey really gives kids, families, and communities — beyond wins and losses.

As parents, coaches, and leaders, we all play a role in making sure the rink is a place of growth rather than harm. Here are some evidence-based ways to create the best possible hockey experience for kids:

Pros and cons of growth mindset - research shows it works - but kids and parents may also need something deeper to mitigate the lasting impact of bullying and maltreatment.

That’s where counselors and therapists can help. They will work with you and/or your child and develop short-term goals for long-term gains.

Whether it is in youth sports or schools, bullying and maltreatment is often portrayed as something that can be solved with a workshop, a motivational talk, or a limited time promotion. Though increased awareness is always a good thing, they stop short of real solutions that need continuity and repetition.

Don't let bullying and maltreatment thrive. Hold your board and association members to protecting the minors under your care. Protect the hearts behind the helmuts - adopt strong policy and governance, youth voice, leadership, and education for all your members.

Let’s rebuild the rink — with strong boards, clear boundaries, and voices that matter. 📬 Contact us:🌐 www.puckofftobullying.com📧 puckofftobullying@gmail.com📞 587-874-0080 📌 Follow us for more resources

I often read about the struggle families face trying to meet the financial demands of hockey -from selling plasma to 2nd and 3rd jobs...

Recognizing faulty logic isn’t about winning arguments. It’s creating a culture of fairness, clarity, and humility that is solution centered

If only you knew... What they carry at 8, 12, 14 — The pressure, the self-doubt, the hope. They don’t need perfection. They need presence.

Psychological safety isn't just a buzzword — it's the foundation for team culture, player development, and long-term athlete retention

Dropping the Gloves: How Rules and Leadership Make a Difference in Hockey Culture

Parents are the bridge between players and policy. Use this checklist to start conversations and ask for transparency and youth voice.

This post is in honor of all parents. Parents who hurt when their kids hurts. But it is even more dedicated to parents whose kids don't fit

The reality? Research consistently shows that bullying and maltreatment are systemic issues, closely linked to leadership, policy, and governance—especially within the unique culture of sport. Interventions must be driven by psychological and sociological insights, using data-informed approaches. A static policy or annual event cannot dismantle harmful norms or build safer environments for kids. Sustainable change requires integrated strategies, with youth voice solutions at