Issues & Advice

“There’s no correlation between playing games and development, especially at that age. Those kids need to be on the ice (for practice) at least two to three times for every game.” To maximize the “Golden Age of Skill Development,” Minnesota Hockey has made a rule change to ensure players are getting the proper ratio of […]

“I want to grow the game, and I want to get people involved. Getting down there and working with these brand new players, it takes a lot of time to make sure they’re properly equipped. It takes an army of people.” Coaching and refereeing keeps Purcell busy, and that’s the way he likes it It […]

Another important step in creating a team culture focused on development is ensuring everyone understands the role of mistakes and how players learn from them. The first few weeks of the season are always an exciting time of the year. Every team has a blank slate, and players of all ages are energized about the […]

“There are going to be collisions. There are going to be accidental hits. What we focus on is taking away the purposeful checking and the purposeful hits that can lead to something more.” When Eric Hedblom first heard about the Minnesota Hockey Recreation League (“Rec League”), it couldn’t have come at a better time. His […]

The ‘please’ and ‘thank yous’ – the little things seem to be a little lost right now. Sometimes you have to remind your own kids about those little things. Two-time NCAA National Championship coach and Hibbing native Scott Sandelin knows that to build a winning program, you need a winning culture. That culture has to […]

I want you have to have the best season you can with your parents. They are your cheerleaders, you chauffers and the ones who make playing hockey possible. I played hockey for, well, let’s just say a long time. It started outdoors in Baudette, and the magic of the game took hold immediately. And truly, […]