Tag Archives: Hockey Strategy

World Juniors – Why Finland Plays Five‑Man Hockey (And Why That Matters for Our Kids)

Every hockey coach I talk to can’t stop talking about the way Team Finland played at the World Juniors. They punch well above their weight in NHL representation. And for years, USA Hockey has studied the Finnish model—trying to decode what people often label as “skill development.” But here’s the reality check. If Finnish players […]

The Unifying Theory in Defining Hockey IQ

Understanding and Encouraging the Development of Hockey IQ A few years ago, I was out for a skate and found myself watching a Junior kid and thinking, “man, this guy is so dumb out there.” The words slipped out before I even realized what I was saying. Then it hit me—I coach in the same […]

The Passion Index – Is Your Kid Really Into It? The Passion Score Tells the Story

Let me hit you with something simple, but powerful: The Passion Score. It’s a concept that’s become a bit of a compass for me when I’m talking with parents or watching our young athletes grow. Here’s the formula: Multiply by 100 if you want to get fancy with a percentage. If that number is below […]