Tag Archives: Player Development

Going Into the Zone: The Power of Mental Training

I was 14, sitting behind the starting block, staring down my lane with a death stare. 90’s hip hop in my Walkman, goggles on, everything else fading out. From the outside, it looked like I was just waiting for the race to start. On the inside, I was doing something completely different. I was calming […]

Why On-Ice vs. Off-Ice Acceleration Matters More Than You Think

While watching an NHL game with my son the other night, I caught myself trying to explain something most fans never even notice: how acceleration works on the ice, and why great players are constantly managing the natural delay it creates in the rhythm of the game. One simple question led to another, and,  if […]

Where Passion Comes From—and Why It Matters on the Ice

Some players bring fire every shift; others skate flat. Why? It often comes down to passion, and that’s built not just on love for the game, but on the security to risk failure. Parents can help by focusing less on stats, and more on connection. As a coach and a curious observer, I’m often standing […]

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 […]

Alex Kovalev and the Spark of Hockey Creativity

Kovalev with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011

I’ve skated alongside some legends, stood in locker rooms, watched ex‑NHL players do wild things, but Alex Kovalev always hovered at the edges of myth. Over the last 25+ years, our paths crossed: I’d see him during his Rangers rehab skates or later in the local men’s league. Rumor had it he was the guy […]

Behind the Bench, Beyond the Stats: Building a Grit Hockey Culture

If you’ve ever watched the clock tick past the first whistle and thought, “Surely this kid just lost a puck battle for the hundredth time today,” you’re not alone. That’s why we created the Grit Score Hockey system. There’s a particular kind of stress for a hockey parent, you’re cheering from the stands, watching every […]