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This article is part of our Hockey IQ: Complete Guide.
Tag Archives: Youth Hockey
Rink Reviews
Rink Review: Stamford Twin Rinks
Two sheets, two food options, parking under the building, and a Wesco sister store with [...]
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27
Sep
Sep
Athlete: Warm-Up
Stretch 6: Pre-Game Flow
Controlled movement to get game-ready. Do it in the hallway, in gear if you have [...]
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21
Sep
Sep
Athlete: Warm-Up
Stretch 5: Ankle, Knee & Hip Control
Joint stability from the ground up. The one that keeps you out of the trainer's [...]
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21
Sep
Sep
Athlete: Warm-Up
Stretch 4: Core Stability + Flexibility
Deep core plus dynamic mobility. Where balance on the ice actually comes from.
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21
Sep
Sep
Athlete: Warm-Up
Stretch 3: Full-Body Activation & Balance
Wake up every major muscle group with control. The all-purpose one.
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Sep
15
Mar
Mar
Youth hockey tryouts in Fairfield County reveal something fascinating every year. Parents become anxious, conversations become tense, and behaviors sometimes emerge that seem… out of character. Which raises a strange question. Why are parents so emotionally invested in something they are not actually participating in? The players are the ones trying out. Not the parents. […]
Hockey Culture, Rankings & The Bigger Picture
Why NY, NJ, and CT Lag in Elite Hockey Development (And It’s Not Coaching)
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Jan
Jan
CONNECTICUT HOCKEY PARENTS: READ THIS CAREFULLY This isn’t about coaches. This isn’t about ice time. This isn’t about practice plans. This is about us. The Hard Truth On a per‑capita basis, Connecticut — along with New York and New Jersey — produces far fewer high‑level hockey players than comparable regions. That includes: NCAA Division I […]
Ice Size, Training Systems & Global Lessons
World Juniors – Why Finland Plays Five‑Man Hockey (And Why That Matters for Our Kids)
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Jan
Jan
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 […]
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Dec
Dec
But… it’s actually kinda funny) Let’s be honest. Two of the dirtiest little secrets in youth hockey: 1️⃣ Mite parents absolutely know the score of every game 2️⃣ Everyone says rankings “don’t matter”… while secretly refreshing them like the stock market When my boys were in Mites, I’d hear legends about managers rearranging schedules like […]
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Dec
Dec
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 […]
Hockey IQ, Skills & Player Development
Why On-Ice vs. Off-Ice Acceleration Matters More Than You Think
23
Nov
Nov
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 […]
Mindset, Confidence & Grit
The Grit Kore Project: A Community for Youth Athlete Development, Resilience and Confidence
15
Nov
Nov
This post is the origin story behind why Grit Kore exists. For the current free program, resources, and how to join, visit the Grit Kore Project page. In today’s high-pressure youth sports environment, mental toughness and emotional resilience are often left behind in the race for rankings, trophies, and scholarships. But what if we could […]
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Oct
Oct
Hey hockey‑parents, this week let’s talk about: “The Ever‑Shrinking Grit Score.” I promise it’s relevant to your rink‑runs, drive times, and weekend tournament wars. Let’s lace up. We used to talk about grit like it was baked into the game, into life. You earned it through sweat, setbacks, and showing up when nobody else wanted […]
Mindset, Confidence & Grit
The Passion Index – Is Your Kid Really Into It? The Passion Score Tells the Story
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Oct
Oct
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 […]