Coaches can come up with all of the Xs and Os or pour over video, but a large part of what it means to be a leader on a minor hockey team is creating those valuable connections with your players. Warning: This episode contains strong language. Guest Bio: Dr. Jody Carrington is a child psychologist and published author. Learn more: https://www.omha.net/news_article/show/1304895

Practice time can be some of the most valuable in minor hockey. It gives your team the chance to work on skills, understand new concepts and put in the effort that will show during games. It’s more than just drills - those are part of the environment you are looking to create. Practice is about coming to the rink prepared to be in an atmosphere for learning. Guest Bio: TJ Manastersky is the head coach of the Brock University men’s hockey team that finished at the top of the OUA West...

With playoff season here, parents and players are well established in their routines and hockey schedules. However, no matter how much time before heading to the rink, busy hockey families always need to find time to have the right pre-game meal to be able to fuel performance on the ice. Guest Bio: Seanna Thomas is a Nutrition Consultant, Mom to 3 active kids, and founder of Hockey Snacks Inc., where she provides nutrition information for young athletes, sports teams, families, and...

There is more that comes with coaching than the Xs and Os. And coaches shouldn’t feel the pressure to take on building their toolbox all on their own. Coaches can constantly be learning from each other, not just within their own sport, but from around the coaching community.   Guest Bio: Wayne Parro is the Director of International Programs with the Coaching Association of Canada. He is a Graduate of the National Coaching Institute (NCI), a Coach Mentor to coaches in the Advanced Coaching...

Hockey parents want their child to be safe when they are on the ice having fun, and know the amount of equipment that comes with participating in the sport. Unfortunately, there can be a tragic incident that reminds us all how important it is wear all of the proper equipment while playing our great game. These can serve as a valuable message to all hockey participants about the importance of wearing the mandated equipment.

The number one reason why kids play sports is not to win – it’s because it is fun. It’s our job as leaders in minor hockey to create a safe, welcoming and positive experience for all participants, both kids and adults alike. The OMHA’s longstanding partnership with Respect Group aims to educate everyone involved in the game on the proper behaviours that are expected as well as promoting the life skills and positive benefits of minor hockey.   Guest Bio: Sheldon Kennedy won a Memorial Cup,...

It is often assumed that playing in an older age group means that your child will become even more advanced in their skill development. However, that well-meaning thought can actually have negative side effects.

We take a look at all of the programs and initiatives being delivered this season to help our hockey families and associations.   Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager of Hockey Development with the OMHA

BONUS EPISODE! As first generation Canadians who grew up in households where academics were the first priority, Vinay and Parul Intwala refer to their family as “the Accidental Hockey Family”. This is their story.

In the season's final episode, we look back on the closing weeks on Championships and upcoming Evaluations.   Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager of Hockey Development with the OMHA

Growing the game of hockey to reach new families will only benefit the sport. That’s the sentiment of hockey bodies around the world. When it was realized that it was no longer automatic that all kids play hockey in the winter, Andresen knew Minnesota Hockey had to do something to attract those new players. Guest Bio: Glen Andresen is the Executive Director of Minnesota Hockey.

Guest Bio: Nick Buonocore is a parent, volunteer coach, and former collegiate athlete with a unique, first-hand perspective on the changing culture of today’s youth sports industry. He established The Reformed Sports Project to promote a healthy and holistic approach in all areas of sport, through education and advocacy. Today, he is a leading voice in youth sports reform.

Teams are in the thick of Qualifiers for OMHA Championships presented by Egg Farmers of Ontario. Between those new weekends, pilot projects and engaging with our Associatons, parents and players, let's check in on where we are at right now in the regular season.   Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager of Hockey Development with the OMHA

Why do we talk to ourselves, how can we talk to ourselves better, and how can we use this science to help ourselves, players and teams? Guest Bio: Ethan Kross founded the Emotion and Self Control Laboratory at the University of Michigan, and his research has been published in Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, among other peer-reviewed journals. He has participated in policy discussion at the White House and has been...

Hockey Factories is a unique look behind the curtain of some of the globe’s top hockey development programs. The series travels to Minnesota, British Columbia, Germany, Finland and Sweden to see how these programs are doing it right. Guest Bio: Matt Dumochelle is the Assistant General Manager of the Leamington Flyers of the GOJHL and the author of Hockey Factories for The Coaches Site.

Ray Ferraro shares his philosophy on player development and how to handle the sometimes-tricky parent-coach relationship. Guest Bio: Ray Ferraro is a former player and current hockey analyst for the NHL and World Juniors.

In this special excerpt from The Coaches Site's TCS Live conference, Cara Morey discusses grit, why it matters, and how to develop it in your athletes. Guest Bio: Cara Morey is in her sixth year leading the Princeton women’s hockey program. Since the Ontario product was announced as head coach in June of 2017, the program has won its first ECAC tournament title, won an Ivy League championship, qualified for two NCAA quarterfinals, set the program wins record, and established itself as a...

The goaltending position has evolved not just positionally but how coaches utilize them in practice and also how the netminders can approach training and preparation. Guest Bio: Ryan Daniels is an OMHA grad out of Ajax-Pickering and the current goaltender development coach of the AHL’s Texas Stars. He spent three years as the goaltending coach for the Guelph Storm and three with the Mississauga Steelheads. As a player, Daniels spent time in the ECHL, OHL, Central Hockey League and OJHL.

With a few weeks under every team's belt, let's check in on where they should be at this point of the year and what the rest of the season should look like. Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager of Hockey Development at the OMHA

Hockey is for anybody and everybody. How we open the door to new fans is important for any community. Guest Bio: Rico Phillips grew up in Flint, Michigan and is the Ontario Hockey League's Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion.

You are what you eat. Eat good, feel good. We know now more than ever about how to maximize our nutrition to fuel our performance. Let's dive deeper into what to focus on before and after your games. Guest Bio: Seanna Thomas is a Nutrition Consultant, Mom to 3 active kids, and founder of Hockey Snacks Inc., where she provides nutrition information for young athletes, sports teams, families, and organizations.

Players can begin to build their hockey skills on a modified, age-approrpiate ice size - the benefits of U9 and Below programming. Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager of Hockey Development at the OMHA

As players and coaches are in the heart of the Evaluations process, we walk through the timeline of what to expect from the first ice session through to naming the roster. Guest Bio: Michael Dundas is the Manager of Hockey Development at the OMHA

Host Aaron Wilbur of The Coaches Site and Ian Taylor, the Executive Director of the OMHA, catch up after the off-season and chat about the Player Pathways as skaters return to the ice for another year of minor hockey.