5 Takeaways from USA’s Gold Medals
The players chose to put the flag and each other above everything else. They were one collective group pulling the same rope, sacrificing for each other, and leaving it all out there for our country. And contrary to what our politicians and the corporate media tell us, THAT is as American as it gets.
The 5 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Youth Hockey Boards
I’ve learned so much about the youth hockey ecosystem over the past few years since going all-in with the Hockey Think Tank. A lot of our focus has been on coach and parent education along with building player life skills, but one thing I’m realizing as I dive deeper into what makes youth hockey go […]
The ABC’s of Winning Playoff Hockey
What does it take to win at playoff time?
When the Buzzer is About to Sound for the Last Time
I’ve known this season would feel different. I just didn’t know how different. In the next several weeks, my daughter will play the final games of her hockey career. She’s a senior playing NCAA Division III, and when the season ends, so does a chapter that’s been open for most of her life. She fell […]
The New Year Crunch: Is January Hockey’s Most Important Month?
Happy New Year — and welcome to January, the most chaotic, exhilarating, emotionally charged stretch of the hockey calendar. For most of the world, January represents calm after the holiday rush. A reset. A fresh start. A chance to breathe. But in youth hockey? January is where everything ramps up. Teams are fighting for playoff […]
Individual Player Meetings are the Gift that Keeps on Giving
By Marty Rubin Oh, the dog days of hockey are here. The cold sets in, the routine solidifies, and every week feels like another rink, another car ride. At this point in the season, the distance between coaches and parents can grow—often without reason. The holidays, however, create a natural chance to reconnect and include […]
The Realest Post I’ll Probably Ever Write
I feel very fortunate and blessed to have built the following we’ve built at the Hockey Think Tank. I feel like part of the reason I’ve been able to connect with so many of you is I try my best to speak from the heart. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve – […]
Why Community Hockey Matters
By Kate Dukat, Boston-area hockey mom… My son’s love for hockey began when he figured out he could play a sport while also wearing a costume. From that moment on, my son was “all in” – learning to skate, pass the puck, stick handle and score. As many other Massachusetts families who have travel hockey […]
Leading Through Adversity
How Coaches Can Motivate Their Team During Tough Times Every team, at some point in the season, will face adversity. Maybe it’s a losing streak, injuries, internal conflicts, or simply the grind of a long season wearing players down. These challenging moments are inevitable, but they also present some of the greatest opportunities for growth. […]
Why Minnesota Hockey Continues to Lead the Way
Last month, I was invited to sit in for a meeting that really opened my eyes even more to why Minnesota continues to lead the way for hockey in the United States. The Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association gathered key stakeholders in a room to discuss the game and how collectively they could make […]