Hockey season is finally back, and it's an awesome feeling. Don't get me wrong, I've spent the majority of the summer working in the hockey industry. Between opening Drew's Pro Shop in July and working a few Hockey Canada camps throughout August and September, I've been keeping myself busy. Now that training camp is over …
Hockey Quebec to expand its ban on body checking
Hockey Quebec has decided to expand its ban on body checking for the 2015-2016 season to include more players. In a statement two weeks ago, it was announced that the rule changes will mean that there will be no body checking at the Bantam CC and Midget BB levels. Body contact will still be allowed, …
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Hockey (too) specific training?
The term ‘hockey specific training’ gets thrown around a lot in the hockey world, and parents are all too eager to sign their kids up for summer camps and weekly hockey lessons to help shape their budding child into the best player they can be. Is making kids play exclusively hockey, and spend hours on …
(Assistant) Coach’s Corner, Part 2 – The wrath of crazy hockey parents
If you haven't read Part 1 of my experiences as a minor hockey assistant coach, you can find it HERE. Up until this point of my young coaching career, things had gone fairly smoothly. Even if the team wasn't winning every game, we were at least playing to win. We weren't losing because we weren't …
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(Assistant) Coach’s Corner, Part 1 – My coaching debut
Coaching hockey is something I have always been interested in, and I have been thinking about getting involved with my local hockey association for several years. I've mentioned in previous posts that I think coaching in minor hockey is a very important and undervalued role in the development of youngsters. A good coach can teach …
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The 10 Commandments of being a hockey parent
These commandments shall be followed by all hockey parents, regardless of thy child's age or skill level. Thou shalt encourage all players, even thy child's opponents Thou shalt not use the ref's name in vain Thou shalt get to games and practices on time Thou shalt inform thy coach when game and practices will be missed Thou …
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Part 2: Corrupt Coaches – Coaches being bad role models for their players
This is Part 2 of a 3-part piece on problems surrounding minor hockey. Check back next monday for part 3! There is the infamous video on YouTube of a minor hockey coach tripping a player on the opposing team during the post-game handshakes (click HERE for the link). In fact, if you search the right …
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Part 1: Parents Gone Wild! – The verbal abuse of children in minor hockey
This is Part 1 of a 3-part piece on problems surrounding minor hockey. Check back next monday for part 2! A few weeks ago, I went to go watch a Midget BB hockey game at my local arena. It had been a while since I had watched minor hockey, so I figured I would go …
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