Being a hockey mom or dad can be intimidating.

Really intimidating.

Call it a blog, call it a website, I hope that some of these articles detailing my own experiences as a youth hockey parent can calm any apprehension you may be feeling and maybe better prepare you for what's still to come!

Before we get into it, though, I want to share this graphic.

Youth Hockey Road Map

It's something I put together as a road map of sorts for how the youth hockey journey goes by age...at least from my vantage point.

On here, across all of these articles you'll see below -- now 150 and counting -- I try to cover everything we've encountered along the way by being frank and transparent. If there's something you don't see on here but would like to inquire about -- send me an email!

I always respond and you'll get an answer based on my experiences in youth and professional hockey without any sugar coating or fake spin attached!

Word of caution, though.

I tend to use one sentence paragraphs...and go on and on and on because this is a topic I'm super passionate about!

The response you receive...will not be short!

Oh, and this website looks way cooler on a computer than it does on a phone!

The Latest.

  • Oops, I did it Again... The Chowder Cup


    Fool me once, fool me twice. Something like that. Last summer, hockey-wise, development-wise, and exposure-wise it was a total waste...but we just signed on to do it all over again.

  • Stand Out with Often Overlooked Hockey Skills


    Hockey skills that aren't highlight reel worthy but grab the right attention are the secret to longevity. The people that matter WILL pick up on the details that may have been completely overlooked in the past.

  • Our First Junior Hockey "Main Camp" Experience


    High end level of play -- right down to the third line. I can't even begin to describe how amazing hockey gets when your player reaches this benchmark. This isn't youth hockey anymore.

  • How Junior League Drafts Work


    One thing that often confused me with former teammates and training partners that have been drafted, whether in the NCDC Draft or another junior league draft, was their overall draft selection position.

  • Is there such thing as too many coaches?


    You've seen it. That mite bench with 7 (or more) grown men behind it posturing like the Stanley Cup is in the building. I've even seen it at the peewee level?!

  • Switching Hockey Teams at the Right Time


    It was a conversation I had recently where a fellow hockey parent make a remark that caught me a little off guard that planted the seed for this article.

  • Super Common End of Season Mistake


    This is going to sound really inconsequential but I notice it every March and I won't say it makes me cringe -- that's an overused term these days -- but it does make me wrinkle my nose a little bit so I think it warrants mentioning.

  • Tryout Season: The Springfield Aces


    This one is for the local folks hemming and hawing over which teams to tryout for in the coming months. Only one of my kids currently plays for the Aces...but it's the right destination for so many players floating around aimlessly.

  • Is Youth Hockey Worth It?


    People outside my youth hockey circle think I'm nuts when they catch a glimpse of much I have on my schedule and then learn what it all entails and costs. Before it's all said and done, I'd bet I'll have spent well over $200k on hockey alone.

  • After Bantam, Things get Real...Quick.


    This time last year, my oldest was playing on a U14 bantam hockey team with local kids. Tis season his primary d-partners have been from Czechia and Slovakia. It's been a wild ride and it's likely just getting started!

  • Awful News in our Hockey Circle


    This one hurts.

  • Why the US Lags Behind in Hockey


    Youth hockey in the US, while growing faster in sheer participants than anywhere else in the world, has some major hurdles to overcome where Canada, Czechia, Finland, and Sweden are light years ahead.

The Best

Articles for those New to Youth Hockey

Articles that Will Make You a Better Hockey Parent

  • Shocking Images from the Brick Invitational


    I don't usually do current event "hot takes" on here and this could totally be considered CLICK BAIT...but this greeted me on my Facebook feed bright and early this morning and floored me.

  • Skating into the Sunset: When Youth Hockey Ends


    It comes sooner than you think. So how have we been planning for this date that's rapidly approaching for our family? Short answer...we haven't.

  • Don't be a Distraction -- Know when to Walk Away


    Just think about how silly this sounds... I can (and do) watch my 15-year old's practices and games without issue but shouldn't even be in the rink to watch my 8-year old. But it's true.

  • Player Guidance: Hockey Parent CliffsNotes


    When trying to help guide your player away from developing bad habits that stick, I've found that the most effective path is to only really laser focus in on one (or maybe two) things at a time.

  • Snobbery in Youth Hockey?


    I love talking youth hockey, obviously, but have I become a total snob over the years? Self awareness is super important...

  • A Simple Piece of Advice: Be Nice!


    Kids grow up. Their interests change. My circle of friends in kindergarten was vastly different than my circle of friends in junior high school. That's life.

  • That Awkward Moment...from that newly Annoying Parent


    As a hockey parent, it's only a matter of time before you'll find yourself walking into a conversation that makes you rethink everything...

  • Let's Talk about the End Game


    If you're not aware of the coming chaos a year or two in advance, it's best to prepare yourself for the high school hockey exodus and figure out which path you're looking to take.

  • Hey Coach! We've gotta talk...


    I've never been one to try and grease a coach. From my limited time as a youth hockey coach, the thing I hated the most about the gig was watching specific dads saunter over to chat it up....

  • Respect the Opponent. Respect your Teammates. Respect the Game.


    Opportunities to score 6 goals in a game should be rare. If your kid is doing this routinely, read on...

  • Golden Opportunities or Grasping at Straws?


    As I get further into the hockey parent journey -- cumulatively over 23 seasons now -- I've found that I'm a lot more selective when it comes to opportunities outside the regular season team.

  • Team Setting, Team Culture, Team Personality -- it matters.


    That's like stating the obvious -- clearly the team culture matters -- but I'm certain I'm not the only hockey parent that's been caught overlooking what should've been obvious all along.

  • Guide to Hockey Parenting...better.


    Let's just get this out of the way now. Your kid isn't going to the NHL.

  • Is Youth Hockey Worth It?


    People outside my youth hockey circle think I'm nuts when they catch a glimpse of much I have on my schedule and then learn what it all entails and costs. Before it's all said and done, I'd bet I'll have spent well over $200k on hockey alone.

  • Youth Hockey Nutrition, err, lack thereof


    Players in to pro ranks take their diets very, very seriously. But youth players?

  • What is Spring Hockey?


    I've been at this so long that I'm 100% guilty of just assuming parents that are new to youth hockey just...know. If you don't though, well, your answer might lie here!

  • The 'Dreaded' Car Ride Home after Hockey


    Who here has relentlessly torn their kid's play or effort apart on the ride home from the rink? I've even done that after a practice.

  • Points on the Score Sheet Don't Matter..but Keep Track!


    Give credit where credit is due...even if it doesn't end up on the score sheet. As a hockey parent -- that's your job.

  • The ever-Swirling Drama in Youth Hockey


    Some parents, and a few players even, stand out for the wrong reasons. Learn how to separate yourself from the drama.

  • Hockey Drama Already? In September? For real?


    Couple whispers from the corners along the glass get louder and louder, a couple parents working the crowd, looking for support or whatever, and before you know it -- boom, a parent meeting notification shows up on the team app. Sigh...

  • Ugh...Youth Hockey Tryouts, Fees, and Scheduling


    The deeper you get into this thing called youth hockey, the more coaches you know, the more players you know, and the more programs you know... The more you know, the uglier and more frustrating it gets, it seems.

  • Commitment Levels and the (False) Nickel and Diming in Youth Hockey


    Put your head down, bite the insides of your cheeks, take out your credit card, and buy the gear you're supposed to. Then, have a great season watching your kid get better and better right before your eyes.

  • Talk to People. Talk to Everyone.


    Encourage your kids to talk to people. Teammates, obviously, but also to opponents before face offs. Talk to different kids in shared locker rooms for skills or clinics or whatever. Talk to the younger players in your program. Grow that social circle.

  • Skipping School for Hockey


    As someone who boasted perfect attendance in high school decades ago, when that first hockey tournament for my kids rolled around with a Thursday night game followed by a 10am game on Friday, three hours from home...I was a little uneasy about how to proceed.

  • Realistic Expectations: Take the Dad-Goggles Off!


    For your sake and your kid's sake, it's all right there in front you. Take the goggles off.

  • Hockey Salad Days


    If you have an 8, 9, or 10-year old player in your household, enjoy it. You're in the midst of the most fun and rewarding seasons you'll ever have.

  • Meaningful Advice For Youth Hockey Parents


    I've been fortunate to have been given advice, right from the mouths of NHL Talent, on what path to take for my children's hockey development...

  • Dissatisfied with Practice?


    Seriously?! Again?! Why aren't they telling him?

  • The Aggressive Bully


    Bullies have always been an issue in hockey. But there's little worse than when it's your own kid that's auditioning for the role. That's what I'm dealing with currently.

  • The December Doubts


    This is the time of the season where it really starts to sink in and a lot of players (and their parents) realize that they've made some pretty bad mistakes on where they chose to play this season.

  • Set a Good Example...and Grow the Game


    Most of the parents reading this are at the level where their kids have been "legit" skating since they were four years old. They don't even remember the beginning or that it's hard so, instead, they just poke fun at the people that struggle at the onset.

Articles that Will Make Your Player Better

Articles relating to Coaching

  • Your Kid is Invisible.


    I was once told this by a coach. As awful it sounded in the moment, it was genuine praise. In fact, I think it just might be the sweet spot for where you should hope for your player to land.

  • What to Expect at a USA Hockey CEP 1 Coaching Clinic


    Outside of a handful of Google searches I made in a last ditch effort to see what I should be prepared for, I was really heading in to this blindly...

  • Situational Game Awareness


    You ever seen a kid get all wide-eyed and shoot at an empty net from their own zone? Yeah, that's dumb hockey. And it's rampant.

  • The Right Coach; the Right Attitude


    Getting all bent out of shape doesn't get you anywhere. Good coaches know that.

  • Finding the Right Coach for your Youth Hockey Player


    When picking a program for your child to skate with, one of the more important things to take into account is the coach and, more specifically, their coaching philosophy.

  • Our iTrainHockey Camp/Skills Experience


    So, like, you've seen this guy before. His name is Sean Walker and he pumps out what I'd consider the best hockey related social media content out there but he's not just a social media celebrity -- he's the real deal too.

  • Divided Locker Room?


    A fractured locker room never leads to success. Everyone on the roster matters.

  • Is there such thing as too many coaches?


    You've seen it. That mite bench with 7 (or more) grown men behind it posturing like the Stanley Cup is in the building. I've even seen it at the peewee level?!

  • Evaluating Your Child's Hockey Coach


    Are you completely missing the mark on how good your child's hockey coach actually is? I certainly was...

  • Ice it! Shoot! ...and other terrible Hockey Instruction!


    I'm never a fan of painting things with broad strokes but something struck me last night while toiling through a middle school aged spring league game.

  • Unusual Coaching Instruction - No Blocked Shots


    We've all seen it. From shots on net to clearing attempts -- kids just fire it as hard as they can right into a set shin pads. Never works. Ever.

  • Playing Defense is NOT a Punishment


    For a youth hockey player, nothing, not even asparagus, is worse than playing defense.

  • Why the US Lags Behind in Hockey


    Youth hockey in the US, while growing faster in sheer participants than anywhere else in the world, has some major hurdles to overcome where Canada, Czechia, Finland, and Sweden are light years ahead.

  • Everyone, Take a Knee!


    My kids have been on a few teams where the coach instructs the whole team to bring it in and take a knee when going over a new drill. I have a love/hate relationship with this tactic...and here's why!

  • Great Youth Hockey Coaches Teach Confidence


    A great coach instills confidence and pulls talent out of players that otherwise seem, well, like they're just skating in circles out there...

Articles related to Youth Hockey Equipment

  • New vs. Used Hockey Equipment


    Considering saving a few bucks by purchasing used equipment for your little hockey player?

  • The Buttendz Grip


    I've never been a fan of all the wacky additional contraptions marketed towards hockey players but this one...works. You should buy one.

  • Retro Fashion Statement or History Repeating?


    I've been around a long time and seen things come and go. Some are predictable...others, well... This season, the team bags issued to my kids were...canvas. What is this, 1983?

  • Super Common End of Season Mistake


    This is going to sound really inconsequential but I notice it every March and I won't say it makes me cringe -- that's an overused term these days -- but it does make me wrinkle my nose a little bit so I think it warrants mentioning.

  • Curing the Hockey Bag Stank


    Why does my kid's hockey bag smell so terrible -- even after I've just washed it...repeatedly? I think I've found the source of the stink!

  • The Wheeled Hockey Bag - Do NOT buy one...


    You might be your their chauffeur...but you're not their mule. Don't be an enabler. If your kids really want to play hockey, make them carry some of the weight too.

  • When to re-tape a Hockey Stick


    I play with a guy who loves the look of a freshly taped blade and always makes sure that it...

  • Product Review: SISU Mouthguard for Hockey


    This is a review of the SISU NextGen Mouthguard -- for real, the only youth hockey mouthguard that's worth it.

  • Broken Hockey Stick Refunds & Exchanges


    If you're the parent of one of those kids that goes through five or six sticks per season, you might want to pay close attention to how your player treats their stick...off the ice.

  • Sparx Divas...Just stop!


    Okay, so I know the old school guys out there think the Sparx machine is a joke and does a terrible job sharpening skates but it does exactly what it's designed to do. And it does it well.

  • Review: Raven Hockey Sticks


    The right equipment for the age of the player makes a difference. Raven Hockey has figured that out.

  • Blue Pucks vs. Black Pucks


    USA Hockey requires youth hockey programs to use for the U8 level of hockey...and that's a terrible, terrible idea.

  • Protect Your Neck. Wear a Neckguard.


    Enough with the excuses. I'm trying not to get preachy but if you've watched as much hockey as I have, you'll notice a trend. Might wanna force your kid to strap one on.

  • Let's talk about Hockey Skate Laces


    Frustrated by how much money I'd spent on laces that were just terrible, I decided to pinpoint the best, widely available, skate lace.

  • The Effectiveness of the SuperDeker


    Okay, so I was not a fan of the SuperDeker when it came out. Way overpriced for what's literally maybe $7 worth of 1980's-era Radio Shack technology but...

  • Youth Hockey Skate Sharpening


    How often? Where? And how much? Some parents insist on weekly sharpenings but...

  • Product Review: Sparx Skate Sharperner


    This is a review of the Sparx Hockey Skate Sharpener that allows you to easily sharpen your skates at home.

  • The Proper Way to Tape a Hockey Stick


    Style points aside, there is a proper way to do it -- and the science behind it matters more than you'd think!

  • White Hockey Equipment. No, just...no.


    Hockey style changes from year to year -- and repeats itself each decade. Been around long enough to see it all.

  • The Right, errr, Wrong Curve


    I've repeatedly stated that the advantages that differing equipment provide are minimal...except this time.

  • New Season, New Equipment


    Before the hockey season gets going, we're usually a little ahead of the curve when it comes to making sure everyone's equipment still fits. But when it doesn't fit anymore, man, can it be a struggle to replace!

Some really solid youth hockey information follows... Legit, read on.

  • Regarding the Humboldt Broncos Tragedy


    My kids aren't yet old enough to be living with billet families or routinely going to games on a team bus but like all hockey parents, we can relate to the despair.

  • Great Programs have Great People


    Do your best to seek out a program that has an abundance of good people.

  • Awful News in our Hockey Circle


    This one hurts.

  • Our First Junior Hockey "Main Camp" Experience


    High end level of play -- right down to the third line. I can't even begin to describe how amazing hockey gets when your player reaches this benchmark. This isn't youth hockey anymore.

  • The Difference between Town Hockey and Elite Hockey


    I can't tell you how many times I've been asked by other hockey parents why we chose to move our kids from a local town league hockey program over to an "Elite" program...

  • Will the 2020-21 Youth Hockey Season even Happen?


    Is it going to happen? Are they going to be allowed to play? Will I get my tuition back? Should I expect it back? Games or not, the 2020-21 youth hockey season is lining up to be a HUGE positive.

  • Youth Hockey Tuition Explained


    I've had so many conversations in rink lobbies over the years where people relentlessly bemoan different programs and their varying tuition rates. Hockey is too expensive, no one can afford to play, it's disproportionately priced, it's a rip off, it doesn't make sense, etc...

  • The Worst Website for Youth Hockey...ever. MyHockeyRankings.com


    MyHockeyRankings.com heart is in the right place but at this point, in my opinion, it's kind of soured into something very, very, well, bad for youth hockey...

  • Lost Touch with the Base, Anecdotes, and a Skate Tying Tip!


    Lately I've been posting a lot about combines, junior hockey, exposure, and how to get scouted to be considered an eligible draft pick. Hardly relevant stuff to a majority of hockey parents. I have a 9 year old -- I know better.

  • Best Player, err, Selfish Puck Hog Always Leaves


    Maybe it's a case of "the grass is greener on the other side" and they just switch programs chasing something different? Or maybe it's something else...

  • Do NOT be Intimidated by Elite Hockey Programs


    You know what? Players on elite teams are better but that doesn't mean you should be afraid to try out.

  • Pick a Team for Next Season...Logically.


    It's tryout season around here and things are abuzz with players coming and going and changing their minds on a daily basis! This team this, that roster that. Drama at every turn. Ignore it.

  • The Rink Experience - Universally Needed Rink Improvements


    A recurring conversation I've found myself in with other hockey parents over the past decade while at the rink revolves around ideas like, "if I owned the building" or "if it were my team I'd do this..." Here's my punch list.

  • COVID 19: No, hockey has not been unfairly targeted.


    I know it. You know it. And it's our own fault...but youth hockey being shut down for the next few months isn't the end of the world. Let's just do better when we're allowed back on the ice.

  • Rutsch. How should I pronounce that?


    Been asked that a thousand times. And when I'm not asked -- it's always been the elephant in the room.

  • Ebb and Flow of Hockey


    Hockey changes every few years. The style of play morphs but I'm not certain it's evolving...more like revolving.

  • Tryout Season: The Springfield Aces


    This one is for the local folks hemming and hawing over which teams to tryout for in the coming months. Only one of my kids currently plays for the Aces...but it's the right destination for so many players floating around aimlessly.

  • InstaFamous!


    That one time we got a shout-out from Jeremy Rupke. We've hit the big time now! Or have we?

  • Getting Selected in the QMJHL American Draft


    Each year, a couple kids in our hockey circle get picked in the "American" draft. Not entirely sure how they did it -- one parent was awkwardly vague as if caught red-handed when I asked -- but I think I have an idea on what it'll take to get one (or more) of my kids on a long list of potential picks...

  • A Connecticut youth hockey program you should consider playing for


  • Picking the 'Right' Youth Hockey Program


    Sometimes having options makes things more difficult as there are different paths to choose.

  • Tiers In Youth Hockey Explained. Well, sort of...


    Nearly all youth hockey parents are just winging it once terms like select, elite, premier, AAA, national, and tier enter the conversation...

  • Let's End the Youth Hockey Walk of Shame


    It's a disservice to your player if you're not looking for a perfect fit by routinely playing with the same program season after season...

  • Is Elite Hockey Cost Prohibitive?


    One factor that quells a lot of hockey families from even considering elite hockey is the cost.

  • The nightmare that is Youth Hockey Tryout Season


    Whether you have any intention of switching programs or not, tryout season can be chaotic and stressful...for the parents moreso than the kids.

  • Are Teams Picked BEFORE Tryouts?


    Hmmm... Is there any point in attempting to sugar coat this? I mean, chances are, your suspicions are spot on so, right to the point -- Yes, most teams are picked prior to tryouts. There. I said it.

  • The Dilution of Hockey Hair


    Maybe I'm just a purist but, for me, to qualify as hockey hair, it's gotta long in the back. And only the back. Business in the front, party in the back!

  • How Junior League Drafts Work


    One thing that often confused me with former teammates and training partners that have been drafted, whether in the NCDC Draft or another junior league draft, was their overall draft selection position.

  • Training Aid Overload: Hockey Room Essentials


    With so many off-ice training aids available, it's really hard to know what's a gimmick and what isn't. I know I've blown a lot of money on things that just don't get any use -- save yourself the trouble...and money!

  • About Next Season: The Elephant in the Room


    Ahhh...the most stressful time of the season. It's tryout season!

  • Youth Hockey Age Levels and Birth Year Teams


    Is it better to be the youngest kid on your team and play against older competition? Or is it better to play alongside the best of the best at your own age?

  • The Blowout Game


    Now, for all of the negative nellies that think a 36-0 score is disrespectful no matter how you slice it... having been on both sides of a game like this, you know what's actually the worst feeling in the world?

  • The Experience of Playing Up


    Five seasons of playing up a birth year has opened my eyes to a few things. It turned out to be worth it in the end...but also came uncomfortably close to being a complete disaster.

  • Hockey Myth: If You're Good Enough, they'll Find You


    I can't tell you how many times I've heard youth hockey parents say this. Sorry to spill the beans, though, if you want your son or daughter to be 'found', you need a plan...

  • After Bantam, Things get Real...Quick.


    This time last year, my oldest was playing on a U14 bantam hockey team with local kids. Tis season his primary d-partners have been from Czechia and Slovakia. It's been a wild ride and it's likely just getting started!

  • Exposure Matters if you want to be Scouted


    As my 15 year old is now closer to junior hockey and his name is getting out there and added to the very bottom of various prospect lists, we've learned how it all works.

  • Youth Hockey ID Skate Etiquette


    How do you get invited? What do you wear? Do you use the team locker room? Is it weird? So many questions...and so many terrible answers out there.

  • Responsibility of Referees in Youth Hockey


    Coaches in youth hockey are reminded of the influence they can have on a player but I'm not certain officials are reminded of that too.

  • Getting a Sponsor / Becoming a Brand Ambassador


    Free stuff is awesome, right? Well, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about maybe getting in on some of it.

  • The Stacked Elite Prospects Page


    If you've ever googled any hockey player's name, Elite Prospects is usually one of the first two webpages listed...and here's why you want your player on there too.

  • The Best Youth Hockey League in the Country


    Back before everyone was registering with USA Hockey and following a certain development model, there was a youth hockey league in the Northeast...

  • The Scheduling Rigidity of Hockey


    I've had at least one kid in hockey, full time, since 2015. While our family schedule appears overwhelming, it's actually pretty easy to manage effectively. I never really appreciated that fact...until recently.

  • USA Hockey District Futures, Your Environment, and a bunch of Tangents


    This one is a little all over the place touching on USA Hockey District tryouts, crappy coaches, parents unable to come to terms with the fact that they're kids aren't as great as they thought, and how so many programs prey on inexperienced parents.

  • The Ballad of Double Rostering


    There's a lot of misinformation and hearsay out there regarding double rostering. In most cases, parent's feelings on the subject are drenched in falsehoods and jealousy but the fact is, it's hard, stressful, and expensive too.

  • Those Pesky Figure Skaters!


    It's so peculiar how figure skaters and hockey players have so much in common between their sports but, mutually, have almost no respect for one another. That should change.

  • The Level of Hockey DOES Matter


    The articles in the USA Hockey magazines certainly push a few agendas and this is one of them. Does the level your kips play when they're youngsters really not matter?

  • Youth Hockey: Should You Play "Up"?


    Ice hockey is a sport that you need to start early in order to excel. If you start late, it's really, really, tough to catch up. But what if you're ahead?

Beyond the Regular Season...