
6 Tips for a Productive Parent Meeting
I’ve been to a lacrosse parent meeting in a bar (loud), a basketball parent meeting in a lobby (chaotic) and many, many hockey parent meetings in tiny ice arena party/meeting rooms (during which the kids run wild rather than going home to do their homework). I once sat in a glass-walled room and watched my son’s teammates take turns carrying his little brother around upside-down. Meanwhile, one dad explained the family’s entire vacation schedule (we’re going to Europe, aren’t you?) and one mom takes five minutes to say she doesn’t want to go ...
10 Ways to Prevent Volunteer Burnout
When my son was in grade school, I switched all my volunteer activities to Scouts rather than PTO—because the Scout dads were just glad I showed up while the PTO moms preferred to micromanage and criticize. And nothing can make you more bitter and burned out than being criticized for volunteer work.
Don’t Play Head Games: Take Concussions Seriously
While checking out your helmet for this upcoming year, take a look at what Ian Laperrière has to say about head injuries: Montreal native and former Avalanche right winger Ian Laperrière, known as “Lappy” to fans, has endured his share of injuries over his 16-year NHL career, beginning in 1994 with the St. Louis Blues, moving briefly to the New York Rangers, and then with the Los Angeles Kings for eight years. In 2004, he signed with the Avalanche, where he quickly became a fan favorite and valued teammate. In 2009, Lappy went east, to the Philadelphia Flyers, and in ...
The Mistake of Leaving Home and Advancing Too Quickly
Freddy Adu, at age 14, was the brightest young star in American soccer. Featured on “60 Minutes” and “David Letterman,” Adu was signed by Nike in 2003 for $1 million. Many said he was the most skillful young player in the world. (Click here for more details.)
6 Tips for a Productive Parent Meeting
I’ve been to a lacrosse parent meeting in a bar (loud), a basketball parent meeting in a lobby (chaotic) and many, many hockey parent meetings in tiny ice arena party/meeting rooms (during which the kids run wild rather than going home to do their homework). I once sat in a glass-walled room and watched my son’s teammates take turns carrying his little brother around upside-down. Meanwhile, one dad explained the family’s entire vacation schedule (we’re going to Europe, aren’t you?) and one mom takes five minutes to say she doesn’t want to go to any out-of-town tournaments. These were not productive meetings. Read the story »
10 Ways to Prevent Volunteer Burnout
When my son was in grade school, I switched all my volunteer activities to Scouts rather than PTO—because the Scout dads were just glad I showed up while the PTO moms preferred to micromanage and criticize. And nothing can make you more bitter and burned out than being criticized for volunteer work. Read the story »
Don’t Play Head Games: Take Concussions Seriously
While checking out your helmet for this upcoming year, take a look at what Ian Laperrière has to say about head injuries: Montreal native and former Avalanche right winger Ian Laperrière, known as “Lappy” to fans, has endured his share of injuries over his 16-year NHL career, beginning in 1994 with the St. Louis Blues, moving briefly to the New York Rangers, and then with the Los Angeles Kings for eight years. In 2004, he signed with the Avalanche, where he quickly became a fan favorite and valued teammate. In 2009, Lappy went east, to the Philadelphia Flyers, and in a November game against the Buffalo Sabers, he was hit in the face with the puck while attempting to block a slap shot. The blow knocked out seven teeth and required 70 stitches. He later returned to the game. The Hockey News honored him as the “toughest player in the NHL.” Read the story »
Parent Meeting Agenda
Every coach knows that communication is key to a successful season. To set the tone for the season, start off with a productive parent meeting that follows an agenda that keeps everyone on track. Read the story »
The Mistake of Leaving Home and Advancing Too Quickly
Freddy Adu, at age 14, was the brightest young star in American soccer. Featured on “60 Minutes” and “David Letterman,” Adu was signed by Nike in 2003 for $1 million. Many said he was the most skillful young player in the world. (Click here for more details.) Read the story »
Contest
A sampling of entries into our HockeyShot.com-sponsored best-bag contest reveals backpack styles are the most popular and...
Thank you to the players, coaches and parents who submitted their top skating tips in the last couple weeks to win a free...
We asked you to provide input regarding the best way to build team camaraderie. The individual who provided the best answer...
Coaching
From the dawn of youth sports, there has been debate over the qualifications an individual should have to coach a team. In...
Coaches can play many roles – including medic, psychologist, chauffeur and sometimes equipment manager to name a few....
One of the key factors to keeping kids in youth sports is the element of fun in the activity. In this article, Executive...
Team Management
Youth coaches sometimes joke that the ideal youth team is a team of orphans. Though this approach is one solution to problem...
Goal setting is an important practice in any stage of life. It helps us move forward and makes us realize there is always...
One of the important elements of team sports are the relationships that form between the parents. Often times the camaraderie...
Reviews
Everything you need to start agility and fitness training with your hockey team or at home. Speed hurdles for agility, reaction...
Great for collecting pucks and improving shot accuracy, the Hockey Goal Corner Netting Targets includes 4 removable corner...
The X-Deviator™ training device enhances your puck control, reaction speed and hand-eye coordination. You can even configure...
Parenting
I’ve been to a lacrosse parent meeting in a bar (loud), a basketball parent meeting in a lobby (chaotic) and many, many...
When my son was in grade school, I switched all my volunteer activities to Scouts rather than PTO—because the Scout dads...
While checking out your helmet for this upcoming year, take a look at what Ian Laperrière has to say about head injuries:...
Recruiting
One thing that unites hockey players is their love of the game. This means that despite the fact that they may never be offered...
Technology, scheduling and competition have changed the recruiting process significantly. The recruiting scenarios of a parent’s...
An important part of the recruiting process centers around key dates – ranging from the first time a college coach...
Player Development
“Most of the time, you’re a great player on a mediocre team or a mediocre player on a great team. Only when the stars...
Keeping players motivated when they are playing a “not as skilled” team can be difficult. Hockey expert and author, John...
The whistle blows and the puck is dropped. The fastest and most skilled player is about to win the hockey face-off. The following...

