In youth hockey, it’s natural for players to focus on scoring goals. After all, goals are the most visible form of success on the ice—they’re what gets celebrated and remembered. On the flip side, getting scored on can feel like failure. But the reality is, most of the value a player brings to their team won’t show up on the scoresheet. Understanding this can help players, parents, and coaches appreciate the depth of hockey and redefine what it means to have a successful shift.

Teaching Players to Redefine Success

To help players understand what makes a shift successful, we took an interactive approach that encouraged them to reflect and engage. Here’s the method we used:

1. Ask the Players
   We started by asking a simple but powerful question: “What makes a successful shift?” The responses were eye-opening. Players often focused on goals or big plays, but as the discussion deepened, they began to identify other elements like hard work, good positioning, and teamwork.

2. Scenario-Based Learning
   We walked through various game scenarios—defensive zone faceoffs, forechecking, breakouts, and penalty kills—and asked the same question: “What makes a successful shift in this situation?” Hearing their answers allowed us to address gaps in understanding and reinforce the value of plays that don’t show up on the scoresheet.  It also helps the players to understand patterns in the game.  For example, a lot of successful scenarios start with winning a faceoff or being positionally sound. 

   For example:

   • Defensive Zone: Winning the draw, possess the puck, make a hockey play to get it out of the zone, transition successfully to offense.
   • Forechecking: Pressuring the puck carrier, creating turnovers, and angling opponents into low-percentage areas.
   • Shift After a Goal Against: Regaining momentum by controlling the puck and applying offensive pressure.

3. Reinforce in Practice and Games
   Once players understood the concept, we emphasized it in practices and games. We praised effort, hustle, and smart plays as much as goals. Highlighting the value of all contributions helped build confidence and instill a team-first mentality.

Goalies: The Unsung Heroes

Goalies often feel overlooked because they aren’t involved in scoring plays. However, they play a critical role in the success of every shift. Helping young goalies see their value is essential to their development and confidence.

How Goalies Contribute to a Successful Shift

• Communication: Goalies are the eyes for their defense, calling out plays, open options, and threats in the defensive zone. For example, telling their defenseman where the forechecker is coming from or which side is open can lead to successful breakouts.
• Rebound Control: Limiting second chances by controlling or redirecting rebounds prevents high-danger scoring opportunities.
• Game Management: Smart decisions, like covering the puck when the team is under pressure or signaling when the penalty is about to end, keep the team organized.
• End-of-Game Situations: Being prepared to come off the ice for an extra attacker or recognizing when to freeze the puck adds critical value.

Teaching Goalies to Measure Success

Like skaters, goalies need to move beyond focusing solely on saves or goals against. Instead, help them evaluate their performance based on:

• Communication effectiveness
• Rebound control
• Positioning and readiness
• Contribution to team strategy (e.g., helping with breakouts or managing pressure)

Helping Parents and Players See the Bigger Picture

Parents and players often fixate on goals scored or allowed, but success in hockey is about so much more. To reinforce this:

• Celebrate the Intangibles: During games, recognize players who win puck battles, block shots, or make smart line changes. For goalies, highlight effective communication or a key freeze that relieved pressure.
• Ask the Right Questions: After games, instead of focusing on stats, ask players:
  • “What was your best shift today?”
  • “How did you help your team?”
  • “What’s one thing you worked hard on?”
• Track the Small Wins: Encourage players to notice and take pride in the “little things” they do well, like cutting off a passing lane or executing a smart pass under pressure.

Final Thoughts

Success in youth hockey isn’t defined by what happens in the 1-2% of shifts that result in a goal—it’s built in the 98% of the game where teamwork, effort, and smart decisions shine. By teaching players to focus on their overall contributions, praising the little things, and involving them in discussions about what makes a shift successful, coaches can foster a deeper appreciation for the game and build confident, well-rounded players. For goalies, emphasizing their unique role ensures they feel valued and integral to the team’s success.

At the end of the day, hockey isn’t just about goals—it’s about growing as a player, a teammate, and a person, one shift at a time.

Credits: Denis Kirstein, photo taken by Rich West