player tips

Thanksgiving is our annual time to reflect on the hockey season, and more specifically, all of the reasons why we all love the greatest sport in the world. Here are just a few – of the many – reasons we love hockey.

Coaches

It’s obvious that coaches play a key role in the development of hockey players. If you are fortunate enough to have a great coach, make sure they know how much you appreciate them! It takes a lot of time, energy and dedication to coach youth hockey teams, and what you see on the ice from a coach is only part of the story. There is a lot of practice preparation that goes into that one hour practice session and game strategy. Oftentimes the coaches are the first at the rink and last to leave. To this day, I can still remember my favorite coaches and the important skills they taught me!

Equipment

Skates, gloves, and sticks are nothing short of amazing, especially sticks! Once a player is strong enough to benefit from the flex, the ability to develop a crazy hard shot is just a matter of putting in the time shooting pucks.

Parents

Hockey parents are the greatest sports parents ever. From rising long before dawn and standing in a freezing cold ice arena to the hundreds and thousands of miles each put on the car each season, the dedication of hockey parents is awesome!

Opportunities 

There are more opportunities than ever for hockey players to develop their skills. From regular season hockey teams to in-season weekly skill camps and clinics. There are plenty of AAA teams, and of course summer hockey camps and summer hockey schools. Skill development is a marathon, not a sprint, and there are so many great opportunities for players to master the fundamental skills required to reach their full potential

The Game of Hockey

Perhaps that best thing to be thankful for is the also the most simplistic, the basic fact that kids have the opportunity to play the greatest sport in the world! Hockey has brought so much excitement, joy and happiness, taught so many life lessons, developed so many friendships and brought so many people together in such a positive way.

Enjoy the season, fight through the adversity and always remember that hockey is a sport to be enjoyed, win or lose!