Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:21 pm At the U10 level, development should undoubtedly be the top priority. Equal playtime is essential, and practices like double-shifting should generally be avoided. Benching can be detrimental for young players, as everyone develops at their own pace. Kids grow and evolve in different ways—sometimes experiencing developmental spurts, and other times facing temporary setbacks. A tough day at school, a late bedtime, or fatigue from traffic on the way to the game are all factors beyond a child's control, and they shouldn’t be penalized for them.

That said, there are situations where benching is justified. If a player consistently disrupts team efforts, misbehaves, or endangers others on the ice, sitting them out can be necessary. Similarly, if a player is having an exceptional game and is “on fire,” they might deserve a bit more ice time as a reward.

Ultimately, benching should be reserved for rare and extraordinary circumstances, not used as a frequent coaching tactic. Coaches should avoid favoring a few players at the expense of others—especially in a team where all families pay similar fees and expect equitable opportunities. Hockey at this level is about fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game in every child.

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:31 pm Genuine question

How to improve young player's hockey IQ? Watch more games? books? mental coaching? 1on1 game analysis?
training with higher level player?
thoughs?

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:21 pm At the U10 level, development should undoubtedly be the top priority. Equal playtime is essential, and practices like double-shifting should generally be avoided. Benching can be detrimental for young players, as everyone develops at their own pace. Kids grow and evolve in different ways—sometimes experiencing developmental spurts, and other times facing temporary setbacks. A tough day at school, a late bedtime, or fatigue from traffic on the way to the game are all factors beyond a child's control, and they shouldn’t be penalized for them.

That said, there are situations where benching is justified. If a player consistently disrupts team efforts, misbehaves, or endangers others on the ice, sitting them out can be necessary. Similarly, if a player is having an exceptional game and is “on fire,” they might deserve a bit more ice time as a reward.

Ultimately, benching should be reserved for rare and extraordinary circumstances, not used as a frequent coaching tactic. Coaches should avoid favoring a few players at the expense of others—especially in a team where all families pay similar fees and expect equitable opportunities. Hockey at this level is about fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game in every child.

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:31 pm Genuine question

How to improve young player's hockey IQ? Watch more games? books? mental coaching? 1on1 game analysis?
training with higher level player?
thoughs?

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:36 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:46 am

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:40 am

Guest wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 10:48 am Beast is the most impressive team as of recently. Won 9 in a row, including games against VP and MNS.
All 3 FT, MNS and VP are loosing momentum but still strong.
TE, HVS, TW and VR are solid teams that are improving through the season and still have 9-10 games to improve their league positions.
ST will finish lower than their current spot, below some or all teams of the above mentioned group.
Unexpectedly Duffield showed that they are not outsiders and are capable of winning. A team to be afraid of in the playoffs.
WML is the biggest disappointment of the season.
MT and MJ will probably benefit if they merge into 1 team and go to A for a season.

Yes, Beast look good right now. 11 is a top 5 fwd in the league.

VP short bench is causing problems late in the season the kids are gassed in the third. All around they are probably best team but their goalie is really bad and they only have the one. Hard to predict how that plays out.

MNS has a fwd problem other than 19 they just dont have enough kids who can score. They have two of the best D in the league and an excellent goalie. Their second goalie is just as bad as the VP one.

VR, TE, HVS are all mid teams who sometimes rise to the occasion by accident. Wolverines better than them.

Nobody else is in the mix.

You missed FT. Pretty sure they’re in the mix. MB has the best F in the league forget top 5. TW is not in the mix at all nor better the TE or VR. My guess top 6 when season ends:
VP
MB
MNS
FT
VR
TE

The Wolverines are better than both the Eagles and Rangers.

The best F in the west league is not clear, it's between FT 28, MB 11 and MNS 19. None of them would be more than a mid AAA player at this time.

There are more D and goalies that could go AAA next year.

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:21 pm At the U10 level, development should undoubtedly be the top priority. Equal playtime is essential, and practices like double-shifting should generally be avoided. Benching can be detrimental for young players, as everyone develops at their own pace. Kids grow and evolve in different ways—sometimes experiencing developmental spurts, and other times facing temporary setbacks. A tough day at school, a late bedtime, or fatigue from traffic on the way to the game are all factors beyond a child's control, and they shouldn’t be penalized for them.

That said, there are situations where benching is justified. If a player consistently disrupts team efforts, misbehaves, or endangers others on the ice, sitting them out can be necessary. Similarly, if a player is having an exceptional game and is “on fire,” they might deserve a bit more ice time as a reward.

Ultimately, benching should be reserved for rare and extraordinary circumstances, not used as a frequent coaching tactic. Coaches should avoid favoring a few players at the expense of others—especially in a team where all families pay similar fees and expect equitable opportunities. Hockey at this level is about fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game in every child.

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:22 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:36 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:46 am

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:40 am

Guest wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 10:48 am Beast is the most impressive team as of recently. Won 9 in a row, including games against VP and MNS.
All 3 FT, MNS and VP are loosing momentum but still strong.
TE, HVS, TW and VR are solid teams that are improving through the season and still have 9-10 games to improve their league positions.
ST will finish lower than their current spot, below some or all teams of the above mentioned group.
Unexpectedly Duffield showed that they are not outsiders and are capable of winning. A team to be afraid of in the playoffs.
WML is the biggest disappointment of the season.
MT and MJ will probably benefit if they merge into 1 team and go to A for a season.

Yes, Beast look good right now. 11 is a top 5 fwd in the league.

VP short bench is causing problems late in the season the kids are gassed in the third. All around they are probably best team but their goalie is really bad and they only have the one. Hard to predict how that plays out.

MNS has a fwd problem other than 19 they just dont have enough kids who can score. They have two of the best D in the league and an excellent goalie. Their second goalie is just as bad as the VP one.

VR, TE, HVS are all mid teams who sometimes rise to the occasion by accident. Wolverines better than them.

Nobody else is in the mix.

You missed FT. Pretty sure they’re in the mix. MB has the best F in the league forget top 5. TW is not in the mix at all nor better the TE or VR. My guess top 6 when season ends:
VP
MB
MNS
FT
VR
TE

The Wolverines are better than both the Eagles and Rangers.

The best F in the west league is not clear, it's between FT 28, MB 11 and MNS 19. None of them would be more than a mid AAA player at this time.

There are more D and goalies that could go AAA next year.

Is MNS 19 underage?

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:18 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:21 pm At the U10 level, development should undoubtedly be the top priority. Equal playtime is essential, and practices like double-shifting should generally be avoided. Benching can be detrimental for young players, as everyone develops at their own pace. Kids grow and evolve in different ways—sometimes experiencing developmental spurts, and other times facing temporary setbacks. A tough day at school, a late bedtime, or fatigue from traffic on the way to the game are all factors beyond a child's control, and they shouldn’t be penalized for them.

That said, there are situations where benching is justified. If a player consistently disrupts team efforts, misbehaves, or endangers others on the ice, sitting them out can be necessary. Similarly, if a player is having an exceptional game and is “on fire,” they might deserve a bit more ice time as a reward.

Ultimately, benching should be reserved for rare and extraordinary circumstances, not used as a frequent coaching tactic. Coaches should avoid favoring a few players at the expense of others—especially in a team where all families pay similar fees and expect equitable opportunities. Hockey at this level is about fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game in every child.

You can't have it one way and not the other! If a kid is hurting the team you bench yes I agree but if you have an exceptional few kids who better, work harder and all the best players, you have to reward them! Simple life lessons!

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:27 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:18 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:21 pm At the U10 level, development should undoubtedly be the top priority. Equal playtime is essential, and practices like double-shifting should generally be avoided. Benching can be detrimental for young players, as everyone develops at their own pace. Kids grow and evolve in different ways—sometimes experiencing developmental spurts, and other times facing temporary setbacks. A tough day at school, a late bedtime, or fatigue from traffic on the way to the game are all factors beyond a child's control, and they shouldn’t be penalized for them.

That said, there are situations where benching is justified. If a player consistently disrupts team efforts, misbehaves, or endangers others on the ice, sitting them out can be necessary. Similarly, if a player is having an exceptional game and is “on fire,” they might deserve a bit more ice time as a reward.

Ultimately, benching should be reserved for rare and extraordinary circumstances, not used as a frequent coaching tactic. Coaches should avoid favoring a few players at the expense of others—especially in a team where all families pay similar fees and expect equitable opportunities. Hockey at this level is about fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game in every child.

You can't have it one way and not the other! If a kid is hurting the team you bench yes I agree but if you have an exceptional few kids who better, work harder and all the best players, you have to reward them! Simple life lessons!

In no other aspect of life would anybody with a basic thought in their head advocate not awarding high performers for their hard work.

Take Your Player to Appropriate Level and watch HIM get rewarded!!