AGENTS

When is it the right time to consider an agent?

There is no right time. Acquiring information about developing into a potential prospect for professional hockey teams is a process. Along the way, having discussions with agents will help you and your family understand the business side to hockey. You may find it beneficial to work together with an agent. Agents are in the future 's business. They look at talent today and help groom it for tomorrow.

Learn more about the role of an agent.

COACHES

What should I do if a player says, " Coach, can I speak with you in private?"

Always make sure that you have another coach, a manager or the trainer with you. If you cannot, then stand within talking and visual distance from one of them. This protects you and the player against any misunderstandings that may arise from the conversation.

Why do I need to be certified in my role?

The short answer is: you don 't know what you don 't know. Taking the appropriate courses to become certified for the role you are interested in provides you with valuable information that you might not acquire otherwise. The person who thinks that it is easy to be a coach, manager or trainer and believes they know it all is clearly starting off on the wrong foot. Certification will provide you with the right tools to get your message across and help the young players develop.

Is it right or proper for a coaching staff to be in the dressing room with players without at least one other member of the coaching staff present?

NO. Any member of the coaching staff should ensure that they are always accompanied by at least one other member of the coaching staff when they are in the player’s dressing room or any other circumstance where they could be alone with just players. This practice should be carried out regardless of player ages.

As a member of the coaching staff, what should I do when I overhear a parent chastising their child for poor play after a game?

This is a very sensitive situation. Actions will depend on the behaviour of the parent and the reaction of the player. On the first occasion, it is probably best to simply observe the interaction. If such behaviour reoccurs, then it will be necessary for the coaching staff to discuss this matter and decide who is going to approach the parent about the inappropriateness of what has been observed. Such a discussion should be kept light in nature with the hope that the parent’s better sense will realize the error and ensure it is not repeated. However, if the parent resists or denies such actions, the coaching staff will have to be very clear that further steps involving professionals will ensue if reoccurrences are viewed.

What is a code of ethics?

A code of ethics is a set of standards set by associations, organizations or individuals that are a statement of expectation and compliance for those that carry out roles that represent those associations and organizations. Simply put, they are the rules of behavior to live by. For example, every coach should have his or her own code of ethics.

What kind of rules should I have as a coach?

Rules are the easiest to come up with and the toughest to enforce. Make sure the ones you choose are aligned with your beliefs as a coach and support your code of ethics. It is hard to tell players that they cannot do something if there is no follow through when the rule is broken.

The fewer there are, the more at ease the players will be. Make sure they are written down. Rules should be about the player’s safety and well-being. Get the players to help build them. They will police each other and create a greater respect for them.

Learn more about the role of a coach.

MANAGERS

A parent approaches me to advise that another parent is really speaking inappropriately in public about the coaching staff and other families and players. He find this very upsetting. As manager, what should I do in this situation?

Thank the parent offering this information and gain as many facts and details as you can from the source. Use this information as a guide for your personal observation of the “problematic parent.” Take time to watch and listen. Have discussions with the parent (as part of your job of talking to all parents) to try and get a sense of the inner feelings and thoughts of the person. Be prepared to sit with the parent and head coach if you personally find evidence of inappropriate behaviour. It is important that you are taking action on what you personally experience and not on what others say they saw or heard.

A payment plan has been set and agreed to by all families on the team. A few days later, one family approaches me as manager to say that they cannot comply with the agreement. What do I do?

Assuming that all parents were given a clear understanding of the financial situation of the team prior to them signing, you will now want to spend time with the family thoroughly understanding what has occurred in a very short time to change their state of approval and commitment. The response from the parents will help decide whether there are circumstances that require assistance from you and the team. If such is the case, then come up with strategies of payment that allows the family to comply. However, the parent’s response might also leave you with the need to reconsider the status of the player’s position on the team.

A scout approaches me as manager inquiring about a 16-year old player on our team and seeking information that would permit him to talk to the player directly. Do I give it to him or do I direct him to speak with the player 's parents?

The best situation is to introduce the scout to the parents of the player and let them talk. If the scout requires statistics about the player, then those can be provided by the team. The parents obviously have the right to request that a representative of the coaching staff be part of the discussions.

How do I become a manager?

If you are interested in being a team manager, you should contact the general manager of the association(s), a team’s head coach or someone in an organization that makes the decisions administratively. You should educate yourself on the role of a team manager by talking to those that have done the role. Ask those in authority about the expected responsibilities. You should prepare a brief resume outlining the experiences you have had that you feel would qualify you for the role of manager. Get a copy of the Team Management System.

OFFICIALS

Why do I see only 2 on-ice officials in some games and 3 in other games?

Minor or youth hockey has 2 types of officiating set-ups. In the young age groups, the 2-Official system is used. In the older and elite calibres of hockey, it is the 3-Official system. The 2-Official system is ideally used to help young, up and coming officials to gain experience in both the linesman and referee roles. In the 3-Official system, referees are the officials with armbands and the linesmen are without. Another reason is to keep the costs down. It costs less for 2 people than it does for 3.

PARENTS

When should I enter my son / daughter in hockey?

There is no exact time or age. However, in most communities, registration for minor or youth hockey begins at the age of 5 . In some cases, there are 4-year olds playing on a team, but it usually has to do with their skill and comprehension level.

My son wants to return to play after a recent injury but as parent, I am not sure he is ready. What do I do?

You need to take your son to a qualified physician and have that physician advise you on whether your son is ready to return to practice and/or play situations. If you are involved in a properly operated team, a complete Injury Report would have been completed when the injury occurred (assuming the injury took place during a hockey activity). That Injury Report would have been provided to your physician when you took your son for a check-up following the injury. Your team should also have advised you that return to play or practice will not be allowed without written physician approval.

Is it a good idea to have parents of players as coaches, managers or trainers?

Not if it is avoidable! We realize that minor hockey could not function in some areas if it were not for parents who volunteer as team officials. Nevertheless, the chances are high that there will always be situations where the role of coach conflicts with the role of parent and when that happens, undesired results can occur. For example:

Is there any relationship between ice time for a player and the financial contribution of the player’s family towards the team?

Absolutely not! This should never be allowed! There is no doubt that it has happened. Unless your team has a special rule that states otherwise, each family pays the same amount to be a part of a team. If there is a known and proven correlation between player’s ice time and parental contribution to the team, then it needs to be dealt with immediately at an executive or administrative level.

What does a player or family do if the player is getting mixed messages from the different coaches on the team?

If the mixed messages are related to on-ice performance and skills, the parent and player should request a meeting with the head coach. If the issues relate to off-ice matters, the family should discuss this with the team manager and acquire that person’s assistance in gaining clarification and resolution.

Can my child play both high school hockey and municipal hockey?

This is a decision that will be made by each individual organization. It is a policy that should not be left to individual teams within the organization. It is important that all matters related to this be managed without any variation. Some organizations will allow for this and some will not. Most organizations would permit this to happen as long as there were a very clear policy on what occurred on a day when there was activity related to both teams. The position taken on this matter by an organization is also likely to take into consideration both the age and competitive level of the player and team.

Is it wrong for my son/daughter to also want to do other winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding?

It is not wrong, but it may be an issue. This is a matter that will vary in response depending on the age and competitive level of the player and team. Signing to play with an elite travelling team for a season is a serious commitment that also comes with a significant financial investment for the player’s family. Engaging in other activities instead of attending team practices/games is clearly not an acceptable practice. A player participating in activities that could involve a risk of injury is a matter of concern to the team. An open discussion about the type of activity and the level of intensity involved will help identify where the level of risk is not conducive to team commitment.

Is it right for the coach to tell players that they cannot do these activities?

It is not a matter of right or wrong. It is more an understanding and interpretation of what it means to sign on with a team and make a commitment as a player to be an active and contributing participant in the team’s activities. There will certainly be some concern when that player engages in activity that could carry a risk of being injured and thus unable to live up to his/her commitment to the team.

PLAYERS

Should I continue to play hockey in the off-season or should I take a break and do something completely different?

Listen to your body and mind. People who work, for example, take a vacation from their routine to allow themselves to refocus and re-energize. Hockey is no different. Taking a few weeks to play other sports or to get away is good for your mind and spirit, especially if you are a young player. If you decide to continue to play in the off-season, play for another team. Being on a different team will still continue your development as a hockey player.

My coach tells me to play a certain way and my parent(s) tells me to play another. What should I do?

Always welcome feedback. Whether it comes from your coaches or your parents, listen to what they have to say. If your coach tells you to do something that is going to help you be a better player and develop you, then follow what he/she says. If he tells you to do something that is harmful to yourself or to others or impedes your development, then advise your parents and others. A strong recommendation is to sit with both your coach and your parent(s) together and ask for guidance, especially when they are giving you conflicting advice. You are the one playing the game. Your parents care and have expectations for you; they want what is best for you. By asking for clarity on what is demanded of you, it will help everyone involved.

What factors are important in deciding what team/organization to play with?

Anytime you want to play for a team, you need to do your homework. Ask questions about the coaching staff. Find out about their philosophy, their focus for the season, how they measure success and their history. You may also want to talk to others that have played for the staff. You will want to consider the travel and time commitment required. Ask yourself and your family if this will cause undue stress because of driving or costs.

SCOUTS

What does a scout do?

Scouts work either for teams or for leagues. In their role, they uncover talented players and provide a comprehensive report about what they have seen. Team scouts may also help with pre-game scouting. Since coaches like to know the tendencies and habits of their opponents, sending out a scout to watch the other team play will bring back valuable information on them.

As a scout, should I speak directly to the player or should the team be sure that the parent is involved?

Scouts need to do their homework. There is a lot to be said for getting it straight from the horse’s mouth. In some cases, that is the player and in others, it is the parents or even the agent. We recommend doing both. Get a feel from the player as well as talk to the family.

TRAINERS

Is it proper for an injured player to sit on the player’s bench if he wears his helmet?

There are rules about wearing helmets when on the player’s bench but there are no general rules about injured players being on the bench. Common practice is that the player’s bench be filled with eligible players only and members of the coaching staff. There are methods of keeping an injured player an active part of the team during a game that are safer and of more value to the team. One example would be to assign the task of keeping stats related to shots on goal and goals against, both in reference to numbers as well as location of the shooter. This is vital information for a coach and team between periods. Assigning this task to an injured player and then involving him/her in the dressing room discussion is a perfect way to keep the player involved, physically and mentally.

A player returning from injury has a doctor’s note to participate. The trainer and coaching staff observe actions and reactions from the player that creates concern for them about his/her ability to return to play. What is the next step?

The ultimate decision as to whether a player can play or not is the team’s, specifically the trainer along with support from the head coach. They should first state their concern about the player returning with list of reasons to support it and ask the parents to sign a waiver of responsibility if they want the doctor’s position upheld. This will relieve the team of the responsibility and will reinforce their concern about the player getting injured further. Any contradictive information obtained by the coaching staff following receipt of the doctor’s permission to return should be treated as “new information.” The trainer must be clear about his/her concerns and the basis for them. The trainer needs to talk to the player and parents to get their perspective on the matter. If necessary, the trainer should seek another direct opinion, either from the family physician or from the team physician.

A player is injured in a game. The coach wants him to return to play but the trainer says it is not wise or safe. Who has the final decision?

This is very simple. The person ultimately responsible for decisions on player safety and usually trained to make such decisions is the team trainer. Trainers who have proper training certification are the final decision makers on the status of playing ability of a player.

As the trainer, I have been working with my players to eat properly at all times, especially before and after games. A certain player repeatedly arrives one hour before a game eating inappropriate food. What should I do?

You should already have had discussions with the coach, player and parent. If not, then you need to meet with the parent and player in the presence of the coach and manager and clarify the exact factors that are inappropriate about the situation. Be clear about the negative reactions related to performance about both the timing and content of the eating action. Find out why this behaviour is occurring. Discuss what actions should be taken to correct the behaviour and what consequences will be enforced if there is further non-compliance. Get agreement from both the player and the parent.

Learn more about the role of a trainer.

EQUIPMENT

Is it OK to buy used equipment?

YES. The number one reason for wearing equipment is safety. Buying used equipment can often allow for a more affordable means to having quality equipment. However, we do caution you when buying a helmet. Make sure there are no visual defects and/or stickers on it. Stickers and “paint jobs” usually void manufacturer warranties. In addition, whether the equipment is new or used, it is important to ensure that it is a proper fit for you. Lastly, take your equipment to a place that specializes in equipment cleaning. Hygiene is important.

Is it OK to get my child used to a mouth guard at an early age?

YES. A mouth guard is a great piece of protective gear. Not only does it protect the teeth, it also lessens the chances of a concussion and jaw injuries.

Is there any theory or rule to how a stick should be taped? (I.e. color, tape type)

NO. There are no rules about how to tape a stick. The only rules on the physical stick are about the exact size and shape. There is a rule in Hockey Canada that states, "The end of the shaft of all sticks must be covered to protect against injury”. In the US and IIHF, the rule about the end of sticks refers only to those that have a hollow shaft. Any color is allowed. How to tape a stick is explained in the Tips & How To's section of this website.

How do I figure out the proper stick length for my son/daughter to use?

Get him/her to stand on their toes. The stick needs to be upright on the toe of the blade and then the shaft should not exceed the nose. It is definitely a personal choice. The rule is that sticks cannot exceed 63 inches (1.60m) as per Hockey Canada and USA Hockey.

I hear that some players use thin socks in their skates. Some use nylons. Others use regular socks and some use bare feet. Is there a proper and/or right approach to "in skate” wear?

Some kind of foot covering should be used inside of the skate boot. Bare feet are not advisable from a hygienic point of view. Socks will help to prevent blisters or athlete’s foot and will also allow the feet to perspire and “breathe.” Consider choosing a thin fabric that fits snugly, is comfortable and does not allow room for foot slippage.

Are waxed or unwaxed laces better?

This is a personal choice. The manufacturers of waxed laces claim that the lace holds the tightness better. For some people, it is harder to get a good grip with the wax lace. In the case for officials, some leagues require them to use white laces only.

Should I use black or white tape when taping my stick? I’m a goalie.

We recommend for goalies to use white on the blade. Defence should also consider white tape. In both cases, it allows the player and goalie to see the puck more easily amongst stick blades on the ice. Specifically to the defeneseman, it is easier to see the puck when they approach the corners to pick up a loose puck. Forwards on the other hand, need every opportunity to deceive the opposing goalie and should use black. This will conceal the puck in a bigger black surface.

Learn more about equipment.

HEALTH and WELLNESS

What should a player or an official drink during games?

Water. Water. Water. The easiest liquid for the body to digest is water. Since the body is made up of 75% water, the first thing to be consumed should be water.

Is stretching just for the elite hockey players at certain levels?

NO. Players, coaches and officials should make stretching a mandatory part of their warm-up routine. The young players who tend to be more physically flexible will have less difficulty than older players, which means that the older a person gets, the more important and vital is the activity of stretching.

HOCKEY 101

What is the difference between house league, select, travel, single letters, double letters and AAA hockey?

Minor and youth hockey is divided by age groups across North America. Within those age groups are levels of ability called calibers. These calibers are known as AAA, AA, BB, C C, A, B, C, Select, Rep, House league. The general guide is that the better the player 's ability, the higher the calibre he should play. For example, a 13-year old player who is considered in his region or town as a top skilled player would play for an AA or AAA team. In Canada, no player is forced to play at the most elite levels. They are evaluated in a selection process.

Learn more about the basics of hockey.

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