Introduction
Have you ever wondered why, over the years, some teams are always so consistent in terms of their performance? Obviously, talent is a big factor. These teams must identify talent accurately and then improve or develop it effectively. Beyond talent, other factors like budget, reputation, facilities, and quality coaching also contribute. However, consistency doesn’t always translate into winning championships. Some teams may never win a championship, but year after year, they are competitive and always considered difficult to play against because they consistently “dig in” and play close to their potential. In the NHL, winning is paramount, and without enough wins, the coach will be gone, regardless of how close to potential the team plays. In youth hockey, as in all levels, both winning and development are difficult to achieve together. Hopefully, the development aspect is a serious consideration when evaluating youth coaches.

Here is a list of attributes from experienced coaches regarding what consistent teams seem to have, sometimes without even being aware of it.

• The coaching staff maintains the mantra, “be hard to please but easy to play for.” This guarantees respect and poise, which resonates with the players. This approach indicates to players that the coaches value a good environment. Dave Tippett is a classic example. With a smaller budget and constant ownership changes, his Phoenix Coyotes were always competitive.

• Coaches know that every season is a “bumpy road” with “highs and lows,” and they will be tested to find solutions. A good environment promotes communication and a receptive audience.

• Coaches organize, analyze, and supervise, but should always maintain the social aspect of their job. Stay visible; don’t get locked in an office behind a video screen too much.

• Occasionally, coaches must deliver difficult messages to players, knowing the reaction may be challenging. Coaches should avoid demotivating, using clear, concise, and respectful delivery. Analytics and video provide objective support, but players must also have “air time,” which is very important. Coaches, choose your words wisely: “players might forget exactly what you said, but they never forget how you made them feel.”

• The coaching staff requests feedback from their leadership group regarding rest and recovery days versus practice, pre-game skates, and new ideas to discuss and clear the air. This leadership group provides players with a ‘voice,’ which is very positive for the team environment.

• Coaches continually remind players, “this is how we win,” as success leaves clues to be followed. These clues are often the good habits developed within the game. Barry Trotz, with the Nashville Predators and the Washington Capitals, created very consistent teams. You could always see their automated habits in critical moments.

• The coaching staff values and recognizes the intangibles in a player, not just talent or skill. Often, character, determination, and resilience elevate a player to be effective at critical moments.

• Players are reinforced to contribute positive game actions through “see it, appreciate it, acknowledge it” by coaches and fellow players. Often, what gets rewarded gets repeated, but what gets tolerated also gets repeated.

• Consistent teams generally win games for the right reasons and deserve to win—good effort, discipline, and execution. Often, it’s a few almost unnoticeable plays that fans don’t recognize but accumulate to make a big difference.

• Most teams understand that talent alone is not enough. Every shift, intangibles like courage, sacrifice, and selflessness make a huge difference. In hockey, shot blocking has become a very important stat. Players agree it is both a sacrifice and an investment in winning.

• Consistent teams have a roster with “more carriers than carried.” These players do the “heavy lifting” during difficult times and demonstrate by their actions what it takes to win. There will always be a few players who don’t consistently compete or deliver enough effort.

• Coaches and players set high standards, which don’t change with fatigue or injuries. This may not always guarantee winning, but it guarantees a “hard-to-play-against” opponent.

• Most pre-game preparation is based on how we play, not who we play. Players appreciate a short, concise video report on the opposition but don’t overdo it. Theo Fleury, with his intensity, wanted “drop the puck and let’s get at it”—he favored the idea that it’s how you play, not who you play.

• When both teams are mentally and physically tired, consistent teams manage the game better. Players make smarter decisions with their head and tougher choices with their heart, such as shot blocking.

• Consistent teams rarely make the opposition better by their play. They minimize “self-inflicted” wounds. Whatever the opposition gets, they must earn it. Jon Cooper’s Tampa Bay Lightning are an example of impressive consistency, wearing down opponents through efficiency in a seven-game playoff series.

• Consistent teams understand that losses can occur due to execution errors, but very rarely because of lack of effort, tactical discipline, or emotional discipline.

• Coaches provide focus, but over time, players often provide refocus. If you listen outside the dressing room, the players are often coaching themselves.

• All players, by improving their game, create synergy, causing “the whole to become greater than the sum of its parts.” Older players model this for younger teammates, offering advice and support through the learning curve.

• A player’s effort and discipline rarely worsen a bad decision. They recover, exercise “damage control,” and trust teammates to cover or minimize mistakes.

• In consistent teams, each player ensures their role serves the team. Critical moments may see a scorer “dig in” defensively or a checker score a difference-making goal. Teams find a way to win.

• Consistent teams value practice and preparation, and coaches reciprocate by recognizing when enough is enough. A sensible rest-work ratio provides mental and physical recovery, giving players energy to deliver.

• “Buy-in” from top players diffuses the idea of “passengers on board.” Steve Yzerman, Detroit’s captain, risked injury blocking two successive shots on a penalty kill in a regular-season game—this kind of action contributed to Detroit winning four Stanley Cups from 1997–2008.

• Coaches with consistent teams take the approach: see it, correct it, forget it. Never start or end a meeting angry.

• Consistency doesn’t mean winning every game. Consecutive losses are an opportunity to reinforce the “process” and standards. Good self-management by staff maintains confidence within the team and staff. A simple message is often enough: “what do we stop doing, start doing, and continue doing?”

• Video can be used to “spread the love,” delivering positive messages to individuals in a group setting. Every individual can contribute, and when on the ice, players “hold the game” in their hands. This acknowledgment tells everyone their actions matter.

• Consistent teams are positive but constructively critical when circumstances justify it. Failures can be reframed as “stepping stones” to improvement. Critiques should be delivered thoughtfully, not publicly, and always with calmness and self-control. Strength and poise in difficult times earn respect.

Summary
Rarely have tactics or systems of play been discussed because most teams play similar styles; there are no real secrets as everything is available on video. What happens behind the walls—the environment—is the true “secret sauce” or “magic” that creates consistency.