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The game of hockey demands speed, stamina, and relentless effort, but pushing harder doesn’t always mean getting better. Optimizing Load: A Smarter Approach to Training & Development explores how today’s top teams are rethinking performance by balancing work, recovery, and readiness.

Inside, you’ll discover what “workload” really means, how external effort and internal response interact, and why proper load management is the difference between burnout and breakthrough. From debunking common myths about rest and training to practical strategies coaches can apply right away, this guide gives you the tools to maximize player potential all season long.

Whether you’re managing ice time, monitoring recovery, or simply looking for a smarter way to help athletes perform at their peak, the insights in this PDF will help you get there. Open it now to see how small tweaks in load management can lead to big gains in health, development, and game-day results.

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This practice plan starts with 20 or so minutes of skating skills. These drills are straight from Victor Kraatz's course Building the Foundation of Skating. I've got each skill I want to teach written down so I don't forget. 

While the skating is happening, our goalies will both be with my goalie coach, Nathan Lieuwen, working on basic movements and ensuring they're ready to start practice. They should come away from this with a standard sequence they do on their own at the start of every practice. 

Once the skating is done, we're going to get into passing, specifically how it applies to zone entries and offensive zone play. The players will love this - I love this, and it's all from my new pal Tobias Johansson's presentation at this year's TCS Live, The Benefits of Playing Small Area Games Without Goalies.

I'm going to use one goalie at a time for these drills while the other goalie gets some 1on1 time with Nathan.

Click to download the PDF

 

 

https://youtu.be/ypLLcSycZGA

https://youtu.be/ypLLcSycZGA

By Walter Aguilar COR.E Performance Dynamics & Mindset Coach

In today’s digital world, a young hockey player’s performance is shaped by far more than what happens on the ice. Social media is a powerful influence. It can either build a player up with encouragement and inspiration or tear them down through comparison, negativity, and distraction. As parents, it is no longer enough to just focus on equipment, training, and nutrition. Protecting and strengthening a player’s mind is just as important. That is where the idea of building a success posse comes in.

From a COR.E Performance Dynamics perspective, energy drives performance. What a player focuses on, and who surrounds them, will either add energy that supports confidence, resilience, and joy, or drain it by feeding fear, doubt, and comparison. Social media amplifies these factors because every scroll is either fueling a mindset of growth or creating interference that pulls them out of the present moment.

The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media

Social media presents both opportunities and challenges for young players. On one hand, it can connect players to role models, training tips, and communities of like-minded players. However, it can also lead to constant comparisons, criticism, and pressure to perform for likes, rather than playing for the enjoyment of the game.

This affects more than confidence. It impacts focus, emotional stability, sleep, and ultimately performance on the ice. A goalie distracted by online negativity or a forward caught in the comparison game is not fully present. And being present is the only place performance truly happens.

The Parent’s Role in Building a Success Posse

A success posse is the group of people who surround and influence your player. In the digital age, this posse must be intentional, not accidental. Parents play the lead role in protecting, guiding, and shaping this environment.

1. Be Intentional About Who Is Involved

Choose carefully who influences your player. Coaches, teachers, mentors, and peers should share your values and support your player’s growth.

2. Stay Informed and Involved

Do not assume you know what is happening online. Learn the platforms, understand the risks, and check in regularly. Create conversations, not lectures.

3. Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations

Technology is a tool, not a right. Establish device-free times, screen time limits, and expectations for respectful online behavior. Consistency here builds discipline that carries onto the ice.

4. Foster Open Communication

Encourage your player to talk about what is happening online. If they know they can come to you without judgment, you will become their safe place when things get tough.

5. Leverage Community Resources

Connect with other parents, educators, and coaches. Share strategies, lean on community, and keep learning about how to protect and prepare players in the digital age.

6. Model Healthy Digital Habits

Your players are watching. Show them what balance looks like. Limit your own scrolling, prioritize presence, and let them see you living intentionally.

7. Trust Your Intuition and Observe Changes

If your player’s mood, sleep, or energy shifts, do not ignore it. Trust your gut. Step in early, ask questions, and adjust their environment if needed.

Protecting the Mind = Protecting Performance

The mind is a player’s most powerful tool. Protecting it from unnecessary interference, whether that is negativity online or influences that do not align with their values, is essential. A success posse is not about controlling every detail of your player’s world. It is about creating the kind of environment where they can grow, thrive, and play with confidence and joy.

When parents build this kind of intentional support system, they are not just helping their player perform better on the ice. They are equipping them with the resilience and mindset they need to succeed in life.

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If you would like support in protecting your player’s mind and helping them develop a mindset that fuels confidence, resilience, and consistent performance, reach out to me. Together, we can give your player the mental edge they need to thrive both on and off the ice. powervsforcecoaching.com

 

Mike Snee is Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation, where he leads initiatives that support and grow hockey at every level across the state. Mike is keenly passionate about hockey in Minnesota and in this presentation he discusses the importance of preserving, strengthening, and celebrating Minnesota’s unique community hockey model, with a focus on accessibility, grassroots engagement, and philanthropic efforts to reduce barriers and expand opportunities for players and families throughout the State of Hockey.

These slides were shared as part of Mike's presentation at TCS Live Minnesota in 2025, and highlight the numbers that make Minnesota such a hotbed of hockey. The participation numbers as players get older remain much stronger in Minnesota compared with other states (and other countries such as Canada as well), and Mike deconstructs why players stay at home to play and why it's a recipe for longterm success in higher leagues such as the NCAA, PWHL, and the NHL.

Why does it work so well in Minnesota?

Watch the entire presentation here.

I often get asked, “what should I get my skates sharpened to?”  And my answer is, figure it out - don’t be a follower! Skate hollows are almost as varied and personal as flex on a stick.  You, or your skater, need to determine what is best for the skating and playing you do.   You may need to try different ways, but once you figure it out, you will be all set!

In our final installment of skates, here we have a nice easy to follow chart on laces.   

Now dont ask me about waxed vs. unwaxed, that your skater has to decide!

Katy Johnson brought pace and purpose to TCS Live Minnesota in fall 2025. As the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating, she’s known for teaching skaters how to activate properly, stay aligned, and maintain motion through every stride. Her coaching blends clear language, strong biomechanics, and an upbeat delivery that keeps players engaged and moving with intent.

This PDF includes the on-ice drills Johnson used during her presentation. These progressions are designed to help skaters feel proper activation, maintain strong alignment, and stay in motion through each phase of the stride. Coaches can drop these drills directly into practice to reinforce efficient movement patterns and build transferable skating habits.

Watch Johnson's entire presentation here. 

At TCS Live Minnesota in fall 2025, Katy Johnson delivered a high-energy presentation that mirrored her coaching style. As founder of Katy Jo Power Skating, she’s built a strong reputation for developing skaters with elite balance, speed, and control using clear language and sound biomechanics.

These clips were used in Johnson's presentation to demonstrate how proper edges through turns can have a huge impact on a player's game when they have the puck. Weight distribution is key, and as Johnson says, proper skating sets everyone up for success.

In this clip Johnson asks coaches to evaluate whether players are stacking their weight, anchoring their edges, and ultimately maintaining flow and momentum? Your call!

These clips support Johnson's presentation at TCS Live Minnesota. 

Watch Johnson's entire presentation here.