In Their Skates: A Different Perspective on Hockey Development
Introducing a new series from The Hockey Village
When we talk about developing hockey players, we often focus on what happens on the ice.
Skating. Skills. Systems. Practice plans. Game strategy.
And while all of those things matter, there's another side of player development that doesn't always get the same attention.
The experience of being a hockey player.
The nervous beginner stepping onto the ice for the first time. The parent trying to navigate a sport they know nothing about. The young player who's afraid to make a mistake. The girl who's wondering whether she belongs.
These experiences matter, too.
And sometimes, understanding them can make us better coaches.
A Little About Me
I'm Sarah, the founder of The Hockey Village.
Hockey has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up skating on frozen Minnesota lakes, played hockey through high school and college, and continued playing as an adult.
Eventually, I found myself on the other side of the bench as a youth hockey coach.
And then I became a hockey parent.
Each of those experiences has given me a different perspective on the game.
As a player, I understand the challenges of learning and competing.
As a coach, I understand the responsibility of developing players, building confidence, and creating a positive team environment.
And as a parent, I've experienced how overwhelming and emotional youth hockey can be for the families supporting those players.
Those different perspectives are what inspired me to create The Hockey Village.
My goal is simple: Make hockey easier to understand, more welcoming, and more accessible for the people who want to be part of it.
Introducing In Their Skates
In Their Skates is a series designed to help coaches see hockey through the eyes of the players and families they're working with.
Because sometimes the biggest opportunities to improve the hockey experience have nothing to do with another drill.
They come from understanding why a beginner player feels overwhelmed.
Recognizing how a coach's words can build confidence or take it away.
Helping parents understand how to support their players without adding pressure.
Or realizing that what seems obvious to an experienced coach might be completely unfamiliar to someone new to the game.
Through this series, we'll explore topics including:
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Helping new hockey players and families feel welcome
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Building confidence and creating an environment where mistakes are part of learning
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Improving communication between coaches and parents
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Understanding how parent behavior affects player development
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Supporting girls in hockey and creating experiences that keep them playing
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Developing hockey IQ, teamwork, and a love for the game
The goal isn't to replace technical coaching education.
It's to complement it.
Because teaching the game is only part of coaching. Understanding the people learning it is just as important.
A Different Way to Look at the Game
One of the things I've learned through my years in hockey is that we don't always know what someone else is experiencing.
A player who seems disengaged might actually be confused.
A parent asking too many questions might simply be trying to understand a sport that's completely new to them.
A girl who's hesitant to speak up might be waiting for someone to show her that her voice matters.
When we take the time to see the game from their perspective, we have an opportunity to create better experiences for everyone.
And those experiences can shape whether someone simply plays hockey for a season or develops a lifelong love for the game.
That's what In Their Skates is all about.
Because great coaching isn't just about teaching players how to play hockey. It's about understanding the people inside the equipment.
Sarah is the founder of The Hockey Village, an educational community dedicated to helping hockey parents, adult women players, and female coaches learn the game, build confidence, and find their place in hockey.
Learn the game. Love the game. Belong in the game.
