I had a conversation yesterday with an old friend in Alaska. As always, the subject of the North American Hockey League came up. The discussion ranged from the powerhouse that Fairbanks has been able to establish to the new kids on the block (Anchorage) advancing to the Robertson Cup Final. After a few laughs regarding … Continue reading Alaska Hockey League, Why Not Now? →

I was having a conversation with one of the coaches in the North American Hockey League, and the question he had for me was, “how do we know if we’ve assembled the right team?”  When you get a question like that, you know the answer is yes, they have a problem. And he does. I … Continue reading The Five: Signs That Yove Have Chosen the Wrong Team →

There is an ambitious trend among national governing bodies of Olympic athletics to re imagine youth sports, prioritizing health and inclusion. This is not the first time national interests have overlooked the differences that is the core of ice hockey as a game. It is nonetheless disappointing given the recent strides made in the way … Continue reading Engaging The Player Identity →

There are few things in life that concern me more than an admitted pedophile having open access to the game of hockey. What’s the purpose of a permanent ineligibility ban if the individual is still permitted access to hockey events across the country? What’s the purpose of a permanent ineligibility ban if the individual is … Continue reading If I Were King: SafeSport’s Permanently Ineligibles Would Be Banned from Rinks →

Role players are part of the game. Nothing excites the fans faster than a big hit that results in a quick goal. It is like a double-shot of excitement. Everybody is happy at the post-game party after a team effort win. Subscriber Content Mucker – A physical player who lacks finesse but gets the job done … Continue reading The Vault:Muckers, Grinders, & Pantydroppers →

There are a number of various opinions in regards to the ultimate gauge of a country’s developmental program. Is it the NHL Draft? World Juniors? World Championships? Olympics? Subscriber Content I think it is a combination of everything. As hockey nations, the United States and Canada has been very successful in general but at the … Continue reading Real Gauge of Development →

Junior hockey coaches, especially at the free-to-play levels, take a lot of things into consideration when identifying and selecting prospective players. There’s so much more to the game than skill level alone, and the sooner prospects figure that out, opportunities have a tendency to flow like water. Today’s Ten list comes from one of the … Continue reading Ten Best: Positives That Jump Out in The Player Evaluation Process →