Articles & Help

In the 19th century, society fought to move children out of factories and into schools, recognizing they were not "little adults." Paradoxically, in hockey, we see something different. Policies that increasingly recognize developmental needs are juxtaposed by a culture and economy that increasingly treats children like mini professionals.

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

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.

It's about protecting the membership you are providing a service to. It isn't politics or personal, it is policy and preventative.

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.

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.

But what you don’t know is: Every elite athlete was once a kid who felt insecure. Growth is messy. Real skill takes time — and real heart

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

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

We can’t always logic our way through emotions. Sometimes, it helps to just say, “The hockey gods weren’t with us today,” and let it go.

n today’s hockey culture, Elbows Up is the perfect way to tell bullying and maltreatment to "Get the Puck Outta Here." It’s about protecting yourself and your teammates by standing up for fairness, safety, and respect on and off the ice.

When your child has a negative experience in hockey their age profoundly shapes how they interpret what happens to them — and more importantly, how they process, internalize and cope with situations that happen.