If you've spent any time behind the bench, you've probably wondered:
Am I the only one dealing with this?
The parent who questions every decision. The pressure to win while trying to prioritize development. The challenge of keeping players engaged. The feeling that you're constantly trying to improve, but aren't always sure where to turn for help.
You're not alone.
To better understand what coaching looks like today, we surveyed coaches from across our global coaching community, representing every level of youth hockey from U6 to Elite. We asked about organizational support, player development, parent relationships, coaching challenges, confidence, growth, and the future of the game.
What emerged is one of the clearest snapshots we've seen of today’s coaching experience.
Some findings will validate exactly what you've been feeling all season. Others may surprise you. But perhaps the most interesting part of the report is that despite coaching different age groups, levels, and regions, many coaches arrived at remarkably similar conclusions.
- They want more support.
- They want clearer development pathways.
- They want youth hockey to stay focused on development.
- And they want the game to remain fun.
- Most of all, they want to give kids the best possible experience.
This report won't give you all the answers, but it will help you understand what coaches across the game are thinking, struggling with, and learning from.
And somewhere in these pages, you'll probably find yourself.
