Two words that don’t get talked about enough in youth hockey coaching: mentorship and accountability.

Too often, individuals raise their hand to coach armed with nothing more than a certification from USA Hockey or another governing body. Certifications matter—but they are not a measure of readiness, effectiveness, or leadership. Coaching goes far beyond what happens on the ice.

Great coaches are developed through mentorship.

Learning how to communicate, lead young athletes, manage parents, handle conflict, teach accountability, and build culture doesn’t come from a manual or a weekend course. It comes from being guided, challenged, and supported by experienced coaches who have been there.

But mentorship alone isn’t enough.

There must also be accountability. Organizations need to hold coaches to clear standards once they are educated and supported. Player development, team management, and culture cannot be optional—or left unchecked.

And finally, self-accountability matters most. The best coaches constantly evaluate themselves. They seek feedback. They ask hard questions. They take ownership when things aren’t working and commit to getting better.

If we want better experiences for players and healthier organizations, we must invest in mentoring coaches, holding them accountable, and expecting coaches to hold themselves to the same standard they demand from their players.

That’s how real development happens—on and off the ice.

(Thanks to Matt Dumouchelle for influencing this post today—I had a bit of a brain block until I read his post on LinkedIn!)