It happens to even the best goaltenders. Nobody comes to the rink to play poorly or allow a bad goal and those moments are often amplified by the initial reaction when they do happen.

From minor hockey to the National Hockey League, mistakes happen, funny bounces happen and goaltenders will more often than not be scored on at least once per game. Knowing this means a need to manage that process quickly and effectively.

Step 1: Recognize and develop a plan
Goaltenders will allow goals, and sometimes they will appear to be easy stops that somehow got away. They should have a plan (no more than 10 seconds) to manage their reaction to that moment so it doesn’t become a momentum-changer or string of poor goals in short order.

Step 2: Review
What caused the goal? Was the shot taken for granted? Were steps skipped that were normally followed?

Step 3: Bring closure
Breathe. It’s done, it's over and the goal is now in the past. Goaltenders should never allow a negative thought to complete itself in their mind. Always disrupt negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Step 4: Compete
Bring back the competitive nature. Get ready to defend the net, and that starts with physical presence. Dealing with goals against should be approached the same as physical fitness. It is a muscle that needs to be flexed often while working on the mental game. Goaltenders can have size, skill, and technical and tactical skills, but if they fail to be strong mentally the very foundation of a goaltender becomes flawed.

As a coach and skills coach, I incorporate some type of small-area games in every practice and skill development session I run. Regardless of the age, level and ability of the player, everyone stands to benefit from the use of these games throughout practice.

I will modify the game, playing surface and rules depending on the ability of the players on the ice, and I will take into account what skating and puck skills we have or will be working on during the sessions; this ensures the small-area game gives the players an opportunity to experiment with skills they have previously worked on, or skills that have been introduced during that current session.

The use of small-area games to begin a practice or skill development session is a great way to get every player engaged and involved right from the start. As a coach, small-area games are a great way to set the pace and work-ethic expectation for the remainder of practice.

From the player perspective, small-area games will improve their long-term development over the course of their playing career and aid in their minor hockey success.

These games improve a player’s ability to read, react and adapt to a given situation; improve their ability to handle a puck under extreme pressure and confinement; and improve their skating ability, edge work and ability to escape opponents. They will also build a player’s confidence in practice and games through game-simulated repetition.

∎ by Zach McCullough

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For a few years now, we’ve noticed the emergence of many individually-skilled hockey players. How can we most optimally develop these skill sets among Canadians?

If Canadian minor hockey (Initiation – U7 and Novice – U9) is evolving towards cross-ice/half-ice play to increase play time, puck-possession time and player development, the same tactics should be applied for individual skills with older players.

While many coaches want players to be able to perform in different systems, it is important to give these players the proper tools in order to have them perform at their peak. These skills include shooting, passing, skating, stick-handling, angling and many more.

Station work allows for an increase in repetition in a condensed amount of time, important technical movements essential to the development and performance of Canadian hockey players. Further, the nature of this type of play implies a smaller area of space for the players to work with, thus emulating the more restrictive-area hockey of today. Practicing with these space limitations prepares players to better adapt to certain systems and perform better come game time.

Individual skills should be an important part of player development and the maintenance of new skills. The skills coach and head coach should work together to integrate it into the season plan.

∎ by Philippe Trahan

1 UP, 1 DOWN

Setup and execution: This is a gap and angling drill. The defence must first touch the goal-line, while the forward must first touch the blue-line. Then, the defence tries to clear the puck, while the forward tries to score.

Key teaching points:

- The forward wants to create space by using speed and attacking the net.
- The defence wants to read the forward and create a tight gap.
- The defence must read the forward and pressure or contain.
- The defence does not want to back in on the goaltender and create a screen.
- Stick on puck and body on body.

In addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill available through the Hockey Canada Network includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom – Peewee Coaches
Bantam – Midget Coaches
Female Hockey
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive “shared information” from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out HockeyCanadaNetwork.com.

PUCK CONTROL – CIRCLE AGILITY STICKS

Setup and execution: Three or four obstacles are place in and around the face-off circle. On the whistle, Player 1 leaves the corner and skates around the obstacles in a random pattern, working on different skills and protecting the puck from Player 2 before finishing with a shot on goal.

Key teaching points:

- Player 1 tries to lose Player 2; Player 2 tries to get on the defensive side.
- Quick hands and feet.
- Head up.
- Creativity is encouraged.

In addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill available through the Hockey Canada Network includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom – Peewee Coaches
Bantam – Midget Coaches
Female Hockey
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive “shared information” from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out HockeyCanadaNetwork.com.

SHOOTING – 3-SHOT SCORING

Setup and execution: Player 1 starts with pucks in the corner, passing to Player 2 in the slot for two shots. Player 2 then finds open ice for a one-timer from Player 1, before skating onto a pass from the coach for a fourth and final shot.

In addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill available through the Hockey Canada Network includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom – Peewee Coaches
Bantam – Midget Coaches
Female Hockey
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive “shared information” from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out HockeyCanadaNetwork.com.

SMALL-AREA GAMES – OFFENCE TO DEFENCE

Setup and execution: Three players line up on offence and three players line up on defence. All play is confined to one zone. If the defensive players get the puck out of the zone, the offensive players then play defence against three new offensive players. If the offensive players score, the defensive players have to play against three new offensive players.

Key teaching points:

In addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill available through the Hockey Canada Network includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom – Peewee Coaches
Bantam – Midget Coaches
Female Hockey
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive “shared information” from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out HockeyCanadaNetwork.com.

PUCK CONTROL – 4-PYLON AGILITY

Setup and execution: Place four pylons around a circle or anywhere on the ice. Players start by stickhandling around the pylons in a random fashion. There are multiple ways to progess:
1) Add a second player and have them challenge each other instead of avoiding each other.
2) Two players support each other by passing the puck back and forth while facing each other.
3) One player stationary passes back and forth, to work on puck support.

Key teaching points:

In addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill available through the Hockey Canada Network includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom – Peewee Coaches
Bantam – Midget Coaches
Female Hockey
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive “shared information” from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out HockeyCanadaNetwork.com.

PUCK CONTROL – HALF-ICE LANES

Setup and execution: Four lanes are created with the set-up of pylons and sticks. Maximize repetitions and use progressions that players will use to create deception, quick hands and puck control skills. Coaches are encouraged to be creative with this template.

Key teaching points:

• Explosive starts and quick stops
• Heads up and use of peripheral vision
• Quick hands and feet
• Put the puck in the safest place and protect it
• Repetition without boredom

In addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill available through the Hockey Canada Network includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom – Peewee Coaches
Bantam – Midget Coaches
Female Hockey
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive “shared information” from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out HockeyCanadaNetwork.com.

Canada’s economy has seen its slowest pace of growth in 60 years, and that impact has trickled down to impact Canadian families.

Some of the hardest hit by the economic slowdown are having to make difficult decisions about their children’s organized activities. All too often, those decisions result in kids who just can’t play.

Thankfully, there are programs like The Big Play, a coordinated effort between Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Hockey Canada Foundation. The Big Play provides up to $500 in funding for a child to take part in hockey, with the money available for either registration fees or equipment, which is provided by Canadian Tire stores.

The program helped fund hockey fees for more than 1,600 children in 2015 and over 1,100 in 2016. The program is currently in its third year of existence and, though official numbers aren’t available, it’s likely that another 1,000 children have been able to play hockey because of the program.

Has it made a difference? You bet.

Children from ages 4-18 can qualify for the program and funding has gone to kids throughout Canada. The program is based on a first-come, first-served basis, with annual funding of $500,000. Parents who qualify for financial assistance (based on the federal low-income cut-off guidelines) can visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca to apply for funding through The Big Play to help their child or children take to the ice.

The funding can only be used for fees associated with registered minor hockey associations through Hockey Canada.

The Big Play is just one part of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, which also has general funding for children to participate in the sport or activity of their choice, from ballet to cricket to soccer. CTJC funds more than 200,000 children each year across Canada. Since its inception, Jumpstart has helped almost 1.5 million children take part in sports across Canada.

Jumpstart works with numerous organizations and community partners, including the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Maison de la Famille. Individual Canadians and families can help support the program by making online donations or by hosting a community fundraiser.