Mike Coldham is the author of Think Less Play Faster Total Hockey

The key to playing fast is hockey intelligence. For years the hockey world believed a player either had Hockey Sense (intelligence) or didn't and little was done to teach Hockey Sense. Hockey Sense is learned. The best hockey coaches are the best teachers of Hockey Sense. Hockey Sense is logical and there's a right way to play that must be taught. Teaching the key principles and concepts of the game is critical to a player's development and a team's development. 

The principles of the game haven't change since the 70's. We have more coaches aware of the importance of teaching key principles and concepts of hockey which is a Possession Game {PG}. You must take care of the puck to retain possession and be able to defend to regain possession of the puck. How you support the puck as a connected group offensively and defensively in all 3 zones {200'} is critical to winning the PG.

'It's not how fast you skate that matters, it's how fast you think". 

Coaching is much more than teaching the X's and O's of the game. Coaching must focus on the development of the person 1st and the athlete 2nd. Teaching character and emotional intelligence skills to players should be part of coaching.