Breakaway, The Minor Hockey Podcast

All players, parents and coaches can agree that setting achievable goals is important to the overall success of the season. Often times those goals focus on winning a certain amount of games or making it to a certain round of the playoffs but at the minor hockey level, the focus should always be on player development and celebrating skill achievement. Having a method of measuring success beyond wins and losses is an important tool for each team. Guest Bio: Aaron Wilbur, Founder of The Coaches Site

Hockey sense can be described as a group of cognitive skills like situational awareness, decision making and anticipation that players can execute while on the ice. It's the mental side of the game that can be overlooked when thinking about skill improvement. Guest Bio: Chris Wilson, Hockey Intelligym

The goal of Respect Group is to educate participants on where to draw the line. It provides definition and shows how subtle examples can evolve into problems. They work to identify BAHD Behaviour - Bullying, Abuse, Harassment, Discrimination – with education and tools on how to see it and properly intervene. Guest Bio: Wayne McNeil, co-founder of Respect Group

Over his near 25 years as an NHL head coach, Ken Hitchcock has seen firsthand how every generation of players brings a new set of challenges to a staff. What players want from coaches, how they respond and how best to connect with them has all changed. Guest Bio: Ken Hitchcock, Stanley Cup winning coach

Like all sports, hockey provides an environment where children can be active in a safe, positive environment. Using athletics to build on basic movement skills is crucial for later in life. Understanding what to do, doing it correctly and when the best time for it is can help players avoid injury. It provides a foundation for what can be strengthened as players grow older. Guest Bio: Mark Fitzgerald - former Anaheim Ducks Strength and Conditioning Coach

We all love the sport of hockey. There is no doubt about it. That's why when a new idea is introduced the process of change can be a challenge. The first step in any change is determining its value and benefits. It needs to start with the purpose or intended advancement. Guest Bio: Scott Smith - President and COO of Hockey Canada

The impact a coach can make on a child's hockey experience can be life-changing. It is also constantly evolving. It's not necessarily the rules of the game that have changed but how athletes learn and how we coach has grown over time. Guest Bio: Wayne Parro – Senior Coaching Consultant, Coaching Association of Canada

Over his time as founder of Changing the Game Project, John O'Sullivan has spoken sports scientists and researchers, youth and professional coaches. In his new book Every Moment Matters he explains the common theme of what makes a great coach. Here's a hint: it's more than the wins and losses. Guest Bio: John O'Sullivan, Changing the Game Project

Bob McKenzie has seen and done it all in the hockey world. Now a respected TSN Hockey Insider with over 35 years of experience, McKenzie rewound the clock and took a look back at how the game has changed since he was a minor hockey parent and coach in the OMHA. Guest Bio: Bob McKenzie, TSN Hockey Insider

Youth sports should be a source of positive education and physical activity in a fun, safe environment. Keeping players healthy is a top priority for all officials and associations. Learning more about concussions and brain injuries through Rowan's Law creates awareness for players, parents game officials and team officials to recognize the signs and understand the importance of what's needed to return to play safely. Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager, Hockey Development at the Ontario Minor Hockey Association

There are so many factors in getting someone on the ice. It takes a commitment from players, coaches and administrators to be willing to dedicate the time and effort necessary to ensure everyone has a positive experience. However, none of that is possible without the most key decision maker – the parents. They impact the choice of registration, making sure their kids get to the rink, and have a voice in all of the major decisions. Parents want to know if their kids are going to be safe and have fun while learning new skills in our great sport. Guest Bio: Aaron Wilbur, Founder of The Coaches Site

A minor hockey coach spends almost as much with the players as their parents do. They hold the keys for unlocking their skill development and teaching them important life lessons. The core of the player-coach relationship is a mutual respect and the knowledge that the coach has the player's back. Guest Bio: Ray Ferraro, TSN Hockey Analyst

Any time you add a simple tweak to a standard drill it gives the opportunity to teach both the offensive and defensive side of the game. On offence, whether you're working on hands or moves or creativity, kids learn where they have to put the puck so someone can't take it away. On the other side of the puck, if you don't have the puck and you're actually chasing someone, you have to learn how to position your body and your stick so you can get it back. Incorporating those things into practice can translate it into games. Guest Bio: Corey McNabb is the Director of Player Development for Hockey Canada.

Every goal counts the same on the scoreboard. When the puck finds its way into the back of the net, there's no reason not to celebrate. Coaches and players are always looking for the most efficient ways to score, and working on the most effective methods in practice can help lead to more success on the ice. Guest Bio: Dave Manning is the Head Coach of St. Andrew's College in Aurora.

Change can be tough to go through. There's a comfort in what's always been done. You need patience to see the results. It's been 10 years since USA Hockey unveiled it's American Development Model for the betterment of the sport to keep kids in the game. It worked - and here's how. Guest Bio: Dave Starman is a pro scout with the Montreal Canadiens, Tier 1 Coaching Development Director for PAL Jr Islanders, and USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program.

What makes physical literacy unique is the emphasis on developing not only kids' fundamental movement skills, but also their confidence and joy of moving. The recipe of skills, confidence, and joy is the secret to giving children what they need to be active for life. If your purpose as a minor hockey coach is to help develop "hockey players for life," you need to develop these three pillars through your coaching. Guest: Richard Monette, Managing Director for Active for Life

As an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets, Todd Woodcroft is very familiar with the high-level talent from across the hockey universe. He's worked in a variety of roles including Assistant Coach with the Swedish, Belarus, Swiss and Canadian Men's National Teams. Over the years he's been able to pick up and learn how countries are developing players from a grassroots level. Guest: Todd Woodcroft, Winnipeg Jets Assistant Coach

Today's players consume more information through a screen than ever before. With video being such a prominent resource there is a fine line for minor hockey coaches in terms of using it as a teaching and feedback tool. While different tactics are key to success, it's all about developing strong instincts. Guest: Aaron Wilbur, The Coaches Site Founder

The past few years Hockey Canada has been changing the look of minor hockey across the country. These Player Pathways aren't a significant change but rather just a different way of looking at age-appropriate skill development. Guest: Paul Carson, Vice-President - Hockey Development with Hockey Canada

Every team wants to win. To win you have to score goals. For players to succeed, they have to be challenged and they have to be continually developing and refining their skill set as they move up through the ranks in youth hockey. Finding the purpose into why a team plays the way they do can lead to more focused development and gameplanning.

One of the challenges facing hockey at the grassroots level is how to attract new families to the game. Sean Fitz Gerald, Managing Editor of The Athletic Toronto is working on a project that explores the status of the game today across the country. Hockey is woven into the sporting fabric of what it means to be Canadian and his work looks at what associations are doing to grow the game and let people into what he describes as a 'bubble' around the sport.

It's the name of the game, scoring goals… and at the end of the day, more goals are the payoff we are all looking for. Goals don't only help team success, they instill confidence in players, they fuel a fun environment and keep kids coming back to the rink. Guest: Guy Gadowsky, a former National Team Member and 20 year NCAA Division One Head Coach. Current Head Coach of Penn State's Hockey Program whose high-powered offense leads the NCAA for goals scored this season.

Dave Poulin has done it all in the hockey world. He's been an NHL player, general manager and a college coach while never losing his love for the game. This is his story.

It's the most important line on the ice and you've likely never heard of it. What is the Royal Road? Chris Boyle and Steve Valliquette have identified what they believe is the most important line on the ice, the line he believes supports the existence of shot quality. This is a rebroadcast of Episode 25, one of Breakaway's most popular episode.

What do you remember about a coach you had in minor hockey? All coaches hope to make a positive impact on their players. Coaches are going to leave a memory by the end of the season. Similar to teachers, coaches have the ability to make an imprint on players, whether positive or negative, simply based on the amount of time spent together. Guest: Mike Bara, Manager, Coaching Development with Hockey Canada

One of the buzzwords in the last couple of years in hockey is Small Area Games. Players of any age or skill level can enjoy this great way to incorporate competition into practices. With an increased tempo, engagement and fun, these games check all the boxes for what coaches want. Joe Birch, the Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events with Ontario Hockey League discusses the benefits of Small Area Games.

'Culture' is one of the most popular buzzwords in all of sports. But what does it mean? Coaches need to learn how to improve emotional bonds and engagement while understanding how these factors improve athlete performance. It starts with communicating expectations to players and parents.

In the sport of hockey the environment is constantly changing which forces players to continually adapt. The importance of developing decision-making skills and building a toolbox to deliver the necessary skill at the necessary time is something that can make the difference in our game.

A common topic amongst professional coaches is their team philosophy or their 'style of play'. Having a clear 'style of play' from the beginning is an important foundation to have as a coach at the minor hockey level as it allows you to build practices to help achieve your 'vision' of how you want the game to be played.

As a hockey parent, we all want our kids to be on teams that are prepared and encouraged to win games, tournaments and competitions at every level. Winning, a crucial part of a player's development journey and success at any level helps breed confidence for the future but at the most critical years of development, winning shouldn't be the ultimate aim. The individual development of the young players should be the priority, meaning the decisions that aid the development of all players at the cost of an isolated result should be taken. How much do we push winning?

Running a hockey practice isn't always easy. Trying to get everyone moving, playing and learning cooperatively can be a challenge, even for the most experienced and confident coaches. Every group of kids is different. One of the most important jobs of coaches is maximizing the limited amount of practice time while providing the most development for players.

Organized sports are one of the many ways we can help our kids develop character, build friendships and stay active and healthy. But for many of us, the high price of these activities can put a strain on finances. Our sport is one that gets constant attention for its cost to play. With equipment, registration and ice costs, the price of playing hockey can add up quickly. However, there are a number of ways that associations and teams can balance the hockey budget by determining what's important to spend money on from an individual and team perspective.

Teaching life lessons at an early age is key to a life of success. How those lessons are acknowledged is important for shaping the person to become the best that they can be. All of us connected to Hockey see the values it instills in our youth. From commitment, to work ethic to team work, hockey is a valuable tool to teach life skills beyond the game itself. A man who continues to teach those life skills off the ice post-career is Adam Graves, a two-time Stanley Cup Winner and the Vice Chair of Smilezone.

"Hey Coach! Are we scrimmaging today?" Every coach, before every practice is asked this exact question. We asked two experts how to best answer this question along with some other great insights into how to best use your ice and practice time

Malcolm Gladwell popularized the 10,000-Hour rule and immediately parents latched on to the idea that if they want their child to excel in sports, they needed to get these 10,000 hours in before his 10th birthday. What doesn't come up when defining the 10,000 hour rule are the defining features of deliberate practice, the pillars of skill development and talent. For Dr. Justin Davis, grit might equal deliberate practice, but grit doesn't necessarily equal creativity.

Picking a captain is one of hockey's oldest traditions. At the older age groups they are the role model for the rest of their teammates and can act as a liaison and line of communication between the coaching staff and players. But what is the best way to determine when the right age is to start naming a captain?

In the lead up to the recent World Juniors, Sunaya Sapurji began to a look at how those teens were developed by their various nations. As the interview process progressed, however, it became clear that many of the governing hockey federations she spoke to had more or less the same guiding principles for their programs. Where they differed was in their development models themselves or in the challenges they're facing.

Figuring out which position your child will play is typically easy when they're still young—it often translates to what they want to do most: score goals. But despite the allure of knocking in that game-winning goal, not everyone can be a forward. As your child grows older and moves away from the pack of 10 chasing the puck, positions become more defined and more important.

The differences between a good coach and a great one at the grassroots level may be subtle, but they can make a world of difference to players. While knowledge of the game, ability to demonstrate drills and organizational skills are important, what actually separates the best from the rest?

There's a hot debate going on in many hockey rinks right now, and that is whether younger players are better off playing cross-ice or full-ice games. Stats don't lie, Long Term-Athlete Development research tells us kids need more interaction in their games, which is exactly what cross-ice hockey does. Many minor hockey associations across Canada and USA have mandated cross-ice games.

Coaches at every level can be tempted to 'go for the win.' At the minor hockey level, the decision to shorten the bench to squeeze out an extra win sends the wrong message. Taking away ice time in any situation just might take away interest in the sport altogether. A coach skipping over the third line in the final minutes of a tight game may not seem like a big deal to an adult. But the sweetness of whatever victory gained from such a move likely will still taste sour to all those kids deemed not worthy of playing.

When hockey players discuss their sport it is often about the physical aspect of the game – the skating, shooting, scouting opponents. The mental aspect of the game can sometimes be overlooked because that's more of a personal factor and doesn't affect the team as a whole. But what if players could improve how they perform on the ice simply by taking a few minutes to focus on their mindfulness?

In 2013, Hockey Canada announced that bodychecking would be introduced at the Bantam age group which sparked a large debate about the right age to introduce this skill. What was the reason behind the change?

Hockey is a sport that brings families together. From the early mornings at the rink to the road trips for weekend tournaments, the sport keeps everyone involved. Sal Caggiula is the father of Ajax-Pickering Raiders grad and Edmonton Oilers forward Drake Caggiula and of current OMHA referee Brody Caggiula and is very familiar with the topic.

Officials perform a vital role in the game. At all levels, they are the third team on the ice, without whom the game would not happen. Dave Wedlake, Chair of the OMHA Referee program is here to discuss the role of the official.

It's no secret that at the highest levels of sport some athletes, trainers, coaches and administrators do whatever it takes to win. But in an era where that can been seen and emulated within our local sports leagues, and sometimes even in to our own backyards, is it time we ask the question: Is the win-at-all-costs mindset ruining youth sports?

We look back on season two of Breakaway, The Minor Hockey Podcast. Thanks for listening, we will see you next fall!

The summer months can be used for a number of purposes; relaxing after a long school year and hockey season, trying new activities, going on vacation. Stepping away from the rink in the off-season can be beneficial for a hockey player and playing other sports during this time helps to build a more complete, well-rounded athlete. There are a number of hockey schools available across the province this summer that can provide players with added skills ahead of the upcoming pre-season. If you are interested in possibly signing up for one, it is important to do proper research before registering. There are quality hockey schools that exist but finding the right fit only adds to the experience.

Placing players on teams is one thing, but what you do with those players once the teams are formed is another. Many Canadian communities only have enough players for one team in each age category, others have many teams in each age category, thus tiering occurs. Whether you have one team or multiple teams in each category, player evaluation can still be used, and should still be used as a way of developing players. Tyler Dietrich, Hockey Canada's Manager, Hockey Operations, Analytics & Video Coach joins us to discuss the best way to evaluate minor hockey players.

The strategy: Give up the puck as quickly as you can, and see if the opponent has the skill to break out of their end against the forecheck. Former professional player and current Video Coach for the Toronto Marlies, Justin Bourne explains why the dump and chase is killing skill in minor hockey.