Hello fellow coaches,

Our 14U (rec/house) team is in a bit of a pickle this season as we have no goaltenders. The goalies at the Peewee level are way too young to even consider moving up. We are out of options and my initial thoughts are that we are going to have to either find a skater who wants to play goalie or run some sort of rotation. For those that have run into this in the past, I am looking for any additional suggestions or information that may help us navigate this sticky situation.

Thanks.

This year, I signed my child up for a 10U house league. The travel team was too expensive in my area, so we decided to skip it. It's a bit late to go into detail about why we didn’t pursue select teams but that's the reality...

During the evaluation process for team assignments, I had some concerns... I noticed that my son stood out as the top player on the ice. While most of the kids struggled with basic skills like hockey stops, my son was confidently doing Mohawks, lifting the puck off the ice, and more. In the 2-on-2 drills, he skated circles around the competition—he was practically dancing on the ice. Even the coaches commented that he should be on a select team.

Now, I'm seriously considering moving him to the 12U league. There, he wouldn't be the best player but would likely rank in the top 20-30% as 12 caches told me. My only hesitation is his age. There could be up to a 2-year age difference if I move him up. I know that as kids get older, their interests and conversations change, and they often prefer different activities during playdates. Ideally, finding him a spot on a select team would be the best option, but unfortunately, that’s not possible for us right now. Does anyone have experience with moving kids up to an older age group? I understand hockey is meant to be fun, and scoring goals is exciting, but if he isn't challenged at all, he may not improve. I’d love to hear your thoughts and any experiences you might have had with similar situations...

Does anyone have a process/software recommendation for taking snippets of games from LiveBarn and doing short video analysis (including voiceover) to share with individual players and/or the team? I coach a U8 team and think they could really benefit from seeing the concepts we're teaching and how it applies to in-game situations. In my experience it's a combination of hearing/seeing/doing that helps the kids learn best.

I'm looking for something super easy/basic. "Analyzing" and learning from two or three situations per game. Short (under 3 minutes) videos. Rinse and repeat. Thanks!

I have asked our team and league managers and USA hockey, and I haven't been able to get an answer to this question.

To be behind the bench for 8U, you need a valid coaching certification for 2025. I got my level 1 certification in 2023 and it expires 12/31/24.

However, the USA Hockey website says you don't move to level 2 if you're still coaching 8U. The text below suggests you can continue coaching 8U indefinitely with an expired certification.

"Coaches of only 8 and Under players...may remain at Level 1 or other certification level, even if expired, until such time as they are coaching any older age level of play" (Link)

Someone from our league said I need to "renew my coaching card", but I don't see any mechanism to do that.

Anyone know what needs to be done?

Both as a person, and also the type of player they were on the ice?

Do they remember past lines and D pairings?

If so, is it a lot, or just a few?

I coach youth hockey and am looking for a fun way to send us out of the locker room. For a while been doing the 123 and then everyone yells our team name but I am looking for something more fun and unique.

What cool things do you remember your coaches doing or what do you do to send the team out after pregame speeches?

I've started to do some stop-motion videos for drills and explanations of game strategies and wanted to share. This is the first one but I am looking to continue to make more each week (they don't take as long as you may think haha).
Here is a Goalie Friendly warm up drill that is a win-win for everyone on the ice.
Drill Video

Skater focus:

• Catching a pass on the point and walking the line for a shot on net
• Timing the shot from the point and following for a rebound
• Swinging low for a better horizontal angle for breakout passes
• Full speed skating with puck
• Full speed skating without puck (backcheck)

Goalie focus:

• Following pass to point and making small movements as skater walks the line
• Getting shots from above the circles to work on vision and tracking
• Directing/covering rebounds from outside shots

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions/concerns/critiques/etc!

I made this Player's Evaluation Sheet for coaches a couple of years ago, which I have been using for several years to evaluate my players. Just go to this link and download it for free. I hope this helps.

https://www.passthepuck.net/pass-the-puck-store/p/free-pass-the-puck-player-evaluation-sheet

You are able to track any type of subjective or objective hockey scores, add comments, and record videos at lessons, camps, and tryouts. Any data you enter gets placed onto a personalized branded report that parents and athletes can see their progress and receive some direction.

Happy to share more about this platform. I just thought I would see if any other coaches might be able to benefit from this as well

https://reddit.com/link/1ec6688/video/nlj8ox5gdqed1/player

I'm assistant coach with a U14 team this year. Excited to get things going with my HC this year but fear he's a smidge reactive and coaches in the moment. I want to do a bit of planning for him and at least put things in his radar.

It was suggested to map out high level at this point what our season is going to look like in a range of aspects.

I think a gantt chart is likely the best method to do this (I'm a project manager lol).

I'm curious if anybody has something I could use for reference? Gantt, calender, etc. (Pdf, or screen shots are fine) additionally, any items to consider?

Thinking of mapping out schedule, development, review etc.

If you could message me privately with any insight/docs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Do you guys have any prior experience with a shooting pad of this sort? If so

Are there any things you would recommend changing or would want different?

What is the most functional size to practice on?

Do you guys like the ones with the string that’ll “pass” it back before a shot?

I’m looking for a hockey coaches whiteboard. Something bigger than a clipboard but small enough to carry in a duffle bag and use during practices and games. Any idea where I could find one?

Wondering if anyone else has caught an edge and ate it during practice or drill demo.

Demonstrating backwards C cuts and caught a bad patch of ice (thanks Zamboni driver) straight onto my back and elbow . Got a stick tap from 35 kids. It was pretty epic. Shit happens I guess.

Hey all. I’m working to consolidate a bunch of youth hockey camps to promote the game and help hockey coaches grow their business. I would really appreciate a follow on Instagram so I can continue to help promote the game. Thanks in advance!

https://www.instagram.com/theyouthhockeyhub

I am a hockey coach in my second year and I have had multiple parents ask me to do small group lessons with their kids. I have more time this summer so I thought it would be a good way to help develop those kids that have liked working with me over the past two years but I am afraid of scaring some of the parents away with prices. I think I want to charge what I have below but unsure if it is appropriate or not.

Prices:

1 Hour:

2 skaters: $65/skater, 3 skaters: $55/skater, 4 skaters: $45/skater, 5 skaters: $40/skater, 6 or more skaters: $35/skater

1.5 Hours:

2 skaters: $85/skater, 3 skaters: $75/skater, 4 skaters: $65/skater, 5 skaters: $60/skater, 6 or more: $55/skater

For a bit of context, I get the ice at my old high school for free for most of the summer so these costs do not include ice costs. Am also thinking of having a buddy who I usually coach with help me as well so the kids get more attention on the ice.

Any feedback would be helpful on if you think these prices are appropriate or not. I've been going back and forth with prices and I think I have settled on these but still unsure.

I want to start playing in-house hockey and I am pretty good at inline skating and wondering if I will be good enough for ice hockey I have really good stick handles.

Hi all,

After the tryouts, my son was selected for a Travel team. However, I'm concerned about the expenses involved, like hotels and flight tickets, which seem quite costly. I believe we'll have to stick with house leagues for another year (I don't think we have an another option). Yet, he's truly eager to progress—I've noticed he scores most of the goals during games, thanks to his dedicated practice sessions and stick 'n pack ice time 4-5 times a week. Maybe he can aim for the travel team in the 12U or 14U.

What do you think? I believe he'll be alright, if he continues to enjoy playing. Is Travel team really worth the money at this age?

Best,

Been putting getting one off for a while. I think it's finally time to get one and look like a real coach, lol.

Which brand do you prefer?

My name is Benjamin Alderman, a BSc (Hons) student in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. I am emailing you as you have been identified as a potential participant for my final year dissertation project titled "Examining the relationship between emotional intelligence, intra and interpersonal emotion regulation on performance and mental well-being in sport coaches."

Specifically, we are looking for sport coaches who meet the following criteria to participate in our study.

· Sport coaches who are currently coaching a team or individual sports

· Have a minimum of 3 months coaching experience

· Aged 18 or above

If you wish to participate you will be asked to complete a short online survey which will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please find the full participant information sheet as well as the consent form and survey in the link below. If you have any questions about this study at any point, please do not hesitate to contact me.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyRa79lWoQT02uXLsxPX9v5ecdMscRJFVJYFqyHJAvRjkbMw/viewform?usp=share_link

Thank you for taking the time to read this and considering volunteering for this research

Anthony ‘Tony’ DeSilva is a convicted sexual predator. He is also running 6 youth sporting events this year through his new company, The Recruiters Showcase. He also runs the company Top Hockey Prospect, which works with hockey minors.

In 2012 Anthony DeSilva was charged with 75 counts involving:

• use of a computer to seduce a child
• transmitting harmful material to a child
• inducing a child to engage in a sexual performance
• causing a child to travel or attempt to travel for sexual purposes
• unlawful use of a two-way communication device

He was arrested when he sent nudes and elicited sexual conversation from an undercover detective posing as a 16-year old boy.

DeSilva spent 244 days in the Polk County Jail and was sentenced to time served and 58 months of probation.

Below, I've outlined the events he's slated to run:

• Boys' Youth Hockey Showcase
  • Location: Northford Ice Pavilion, CT
  • Dates: April 5-7, 2024
• Girls' Youth Hockey Showcases
  • Locations: Iceworks Skating Complex, PA
  • Date #1: May 17-19, 2024
  • Date #2: June 14-16, 2024
• International Youth Hockey Showcase
  • Location: TBD
  • Date: July 14-16, 2024
• Two Baseball Showcases
  • Locations: NJ & MA

I have linked a few articles and videos regarding Anthony DeSilva.

• The Vault: Tony Desilva Continues To Defy Safesport And USA Hockey Bans
• Former hockey player says Coach DeSilva 'crawled into his bed'
• Former Mass Maple Leaf Junior Coach Back In The Game
• Acushnet youth hockey coach faces child sex charge
• Hockey league investigated previous complaint against Anthony 'Tony' DeSilva
• Arrested hockey coach linked to previous sexual incident
• Hockey coach arraigned in Fla. in Internet sex incident
• Disgraced hockey coach being held in Florida on $182,000 bond
• Anthony DeSilva 2012 Arrest Press Conference, Polk County - YouTube
• Former co-worker speaks out about allegations against Anthony Desilva

**ANOTHER UPDATE** It turns out Anthony DeSilva was lying about a sponsor affiliation. Anthony had listed The Hockey Solution as one of his sponsors. I spoke with The Hockey Solution and they said "However we have not had any dealings with Mr DeSilva on The Recruiters Showcase.". They will be taking legal action.

The same happened with Raynham Ice Plex. They were listed as the venue for The Recruiters Showcase International Showcase. I spoke with Raynham Ice Plex, they responded with "We are very familiar with Tony and his background. Our company is aware and will not sell ice to Tony. Not sure how my name and arena got to be on his preferred listing. I knew Tony years ago but have not seen him in a decade." They said they would be sending him a cease and desist.

A cautionary tale that what is listed on youth sport events website might not always be true.

Hi coaches, one of the major feedbacks I have to give, and I think this applies to most of you, is that your players skate suicides/mountains whenever you see em screwing around. Don’t be afraid of being too harsh, you’re a coach. Now for teams lower than squirt level, I’d do something else cause they’re young, but squirt and above make em skate mountains, it will make your team a lot faster and make them more disciplined. This will show effects both on and off the ice for the players. Thanks and God bless, Sizzler126

My little brother just turned 6 and he pretty good for his age but one thing he’s bad at his when he falls down he just lies there and doesn’t want to get back up. iev been going on open ice with him a bit and he loves doing drills that he learns at practice but he says he doesn’t want to get back up after falling because he doesn’t want to fall again. is there anyway to help him to get up faster after falling down?

My name is Benjamin Alderman, a BSc (Hons) student in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. I am emailing you as you have been identified as a potential participant for my final year dissertation project titled "Examining the relationship between emotional intelligence, intra and interpersonal emotion regulation on performance and mental well-being in sport coaches."

Specifically, we are looking for sport coaches who meet the following criteria to participate in our study.

· Sport coaches who are currently coaching a team or individual sports

· Have a minimum of 3 months coaching experience

· Aged 18 or above

If you wish to participate you will be asked to complete a short online survey which will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please find the full participant information sheet as well as the consent form and survey in the link below. If you have any questions about this study at any point, please do not hesitate to contact me.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyRa79lWoQT02uXLsxPX9v5ecdMscRJFVJYFqyHJAvRjkbMw/viewform?usp=share_link

Thank you for taking the time to read this and considering volunteering for this research.

Yes I know it's almost the end of the season.

I created a website that lets you upload game videos (LiveBarn, GoPro, phone camera, etc) so you can review them. Either by yourself or with your team.

• Fine control over video speed, even letting you step frame-by-frame
• Letting you zoom in on any part of the video
• Gives you tools to draw on top of the video.
• Bookmark the videos (period start/end, score changes, pp, pk, etc)
• Pull clips from videos to be arranged into compilation videos (like one video of just all your power plays, one of just pk's, maybe even one for highlights of each player, etc)

It is still a work in progress, but I've used it and it definitely provides value, even in its current state.

If you are interested, I will give you an invite code to create an account for free. On the condition that you actually spend some time using it, provide some honest feedback. Features, usability, ideas, etc. Any user who provides feedback will get a permanent 25% off (or more, I'm still figuring out the budget) code for when we go live for real (probably in time for the fall season)

Here's the current beta setup: https://beta.TeamFilmRoom.com

DM for the code, serious inquiries only, please.

EDIT: should also note that as of right now, it won't really work on mobile. This tool was designed on a widescreen, and will only work as intended if you have at least 1600 pixel wide monitor. I will likely accommodate smaller screens in the future, but for now, you need a widescreen.