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.

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

Looking at the present strides of my kids, you can plainly see that I taught each one differently. And you know what? I've gotten better at it.

On game days, check the hockey bag, don't forget the water bottle, make them go to the bathroom...and please, make sure they EAT SOMETHING!

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

With the game on the line, it doesn't always turn out like it does in the movies...

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

So many options available but the best camps, I've found, are usually the ones you've likely never heard of.

To be an effective goal scorer, the two most important ingredients are accuracy and the ability to get the shot off quickly.

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

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

Once kids are turning 11, you can see a more rapid progression in development in some of the players and also the end of the line in others.

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

After 3 solid years of hockey, spring hockey, private lessons, tournament teams, roller hockey, and then some more hockey, it happened...

The 'in' thing these days in youth hockey, and even pro hockey, seems to be having the ability to go bar down...

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

Everyone involved with youth hockey has had moments where we cross paths with former or even current NHL players and sometimes our kids even share...

Follow these 5 easy steps to gain an advantage and stand out as a high-end hockey player.

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...

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.

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

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.

It doesn't matter where you slash a player, or even if you hit them or not. Hitting, or even attempting to hit, another player with your stick is "slashing".

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

This is a review of the Jr Bruins tryout process for the AAA Brick Series teams.

A blasphemous statement, huh? Especially coming from someone living in New England. But hear me out...

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

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

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?

This is a review of IPH Hockey. They offer on-ice private lessons in Connecticut.

Thinking of signing on to play for a Spring or Summer Tournament team this off-season? Perhaps you should re-think that...

This is a review of the Jr Bruins Training & Evaluation Camp for their AAA Brick Series teams.

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.

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.

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...

Clearly, individual sports like swimming, figure skating, golf, or even baseball are where it makes the most sense to have a private coach. But what about hockey?

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...

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...

The kids that can be coached all excel. The kids that can't...well, they peak at around 10 years old and then everyone else passes them by...

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?

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

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

A well rounded athlete is certainly a good thing. You can't argue with that but...

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

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

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...

While many purists immediately write off roller hockey (or dek hockey) as a joke and complete waste of time...

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

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