Today we have a special presentation that's not only valuable for coaches, but parents as well. The lens through which we view Mark Fitzgerald's presentation could easily be duplicated for coaches and parents.

As coaches we all want to know the formula to athletic success. The same could be said for parents, right? At TCS Live 2025, Mark Fitzgerald helped us take a closer look at that question. Fitzgerald is one of us (he's a coach and he's a parent). He has worked at every level from the Anaheim Ducks to the Oshawa Generals to the Toronto Marlies to the University of Ontario. He is now based at Kelowna High Performance and is a member of the Under Armour Training Team. His journey through professional hockey, junior hockey, and the private sector gives him a unique perspective on how we can guide our players.

So does being a Dad.

The main question he asked was simple: how do we help athletes not only succeed but also enjoy the game for as long as possible? This is our responsibility as coaches, and it's certainly our responsiblity as parents. It’s not just about wins or short-term gains. It’s about building people who love the sport and the lifestyle around it. This in turn creates better human beings first, and better athletes second.

Too often we fall into the trap of trying to create mini professionals. Fitzgerald reminded us that building an athlete is more like baking a cake. You need different ingredients, different flavours, and the patience to let the recipe develop. Our job is to recognize what those ingredients are and how to balance them.

“The more I coach, the better I am at being a coach.”

That reminder applies to all of us. As we coach, we are constantly learning and improving. We also have to recognize what’s in our control and what isn’t. Fitzgerald used his son as an example. He focuses on teaching two lessons: always do your best, and never give up. He even asks before each practice if his son wants to go. Most of the time it’s yes, but when it’s no, he listens. As coaches, that’s a powerful lesson for us too. Sometimes the best thing we can do is respect an athlete’s need for balance.

We also need to challenge the culture of more is better. Fitzgerald's research into spring hockey, repetitive joint loading, and overtraining showed how damaging it can be when we players push too far. Brent Seabrook, former Chicago Blackhawks defenceman and Stanley Cup champion was one of his clients. He had hip replacement surgery at 37. Fifteen years of hockey had aged his body 30 years. That should make all of us pause. Are we truly preparing our daughters and sons for long careers, or are we burning them out too soon?

Taking the necessary time to be a dynamic athlete doesn’t equate to giving up, however. 

The truth is young athletes today often fail to build resilience and a wide range of movement patterns. They repeat the same motions over and over, which leaves them vulnerable to both physical and mental breakdowns. Fitzgerald reminded us of Bill Ranford’s story on the Glass & Out Podcast (hat tip Mark!), where he credited badminton and other sports for shaping his hockey career. It’s proof that variety builds stronger athletes.

At 15 or 16 athletes may need to choose their path. But Fitzgerald challenged the myth of the 10,000 hours rule. Time and repetition matter, but hours alone are not the answer. Development is about balance, variety, and love for the game. Those are things we are responsible for nurturing.

As coaches we know there’s a time for focus. As parents we must demonstrate the same. 

Parents’ Challenge: Let’s take a look at our own environments this week. Are we giving our children opportunities to build broad skills and resilience, or are we asking for the same patterns again and again? Choose one way to bring more variety and joy into your weekly schedule. 

Noteworthy timestamps:

• 0:00 What is the formula to athletic success?
• 2:00 Baking a cake
• 6:25 Outliers - 10,000 hours of hockey
• 7:40 The birth of “Spring Hockey”
• 8:20 Play vs training
• 9:30 The research does not lie/FAI
• 12:45 Current landscape in Youth Hockey