MTH

Dumb things I learned coaching. USA Hockey has a ton of coaching resources available. They have practice plans for whole ice, half ice, 1/4, etc. You'd be amazed at some of the drills they have. Run practices on a schedule. Plan ahead with what drills, times, who's doing what, etc. Ice time is limited, don't waste it explaining. Tell the assistants too before so they are already up to speed and don't slow the practice down. Practice plan / schedule I would make on paper with a sharpie and tape to the glass and in the locker room every practice. I've explained new drills off ice before practice. Rather than gathering around on the ice while I draw. Do it ahead if possible. Run only one new drill a practice. Run familiar drills the rest of the time. Kids will get more done. Work that new drill a few times too before adding another. I gave all my drills names. So when we change to them, I just said the name of the drill. Stupider the name, the more the kids remember what it is. Candy names, cereal names, pokemon guy, whatever. Practice at game speed. Practice slow and the kids will play slow in the game. Go fast and push the tempo. Get the kids used to being rushed. Make uncomfortable comfortable. That's how it is in the games. Eliminate the ability to make whole ice passes in practice. This works on drills with fewer skaters - but in a game it won't. Work on checking off ice. Use the other side of the boards before practice and have the kids get used to banging around. Again, ice time is limited. I had them in full pads and all doing the checking drills before we got on the ice. We did on ice checking too - but they had some practice already. Did that once a week. My rink and myself love having the kids do dryland every practice. I would schedule every practice as 1 1/2 hours and have one hour on the ice. 10 mins to change. and 20 mins of sprints and all after (or before depending on how late our slot was). Parents complain and have excuses why they have to leave. Be ready. Why I just made every practice an hour and half on Team Snap so that there was no surprise we were still going. The running was not optional. Kids hated running, but when we'd out score the other team in the third because we still had legs - I'd remind them that this is because you run so hard after practice. It works. Rules. Practice is mandatory. Miss a practice, miss a period. No excuses. Saved me from having to judge reasons why kid wasn't there and deeming it worth of missing time or not. Easier and fairer to just say it's a period for a practice no matter what. Sorry. Then you have to stick to your rule. Funeral? I'm sorry that happened but you know the rule. Was playing xBox all night instead, you know the rule. I never heard reasons after a week or two anymore. So refreshing! It's also fair to the kids (and parents) who make it every practice. I've done many goalie drills off ice with the kids. On foot. Just to get them used to the footwork positioning for pushing off and all. Goalies skate with the team at times. They need to learn how to sprint and stop too. Bark at them too to move faster. There's a million more...

My kids play on teams that dads don't coach. So I don't really do it anymore. Last year my older son's 16u AAA team got a crap load of penalties and the coach got suspended. So I stepped in. Team got more penalties than the previous game, I too was subsequently suspended. One and done. Beers at the corner again during the game.

Some guys are good at being a goalie. Some guys are good at goalie gear.

Some great cards.

How big is the cheater on that glove? Yes. Looks like half a pizza on there.

Richter looks like he's in 8th grade here.

Nice ride. I'm surprised the mileage is as low as it is. Pickups stink in the weather with your gear in the back. I'm looking forward to the day I get rid of my Sierra for that part.

Oh god. I'm sorry.

I mean, it's a work of art. Amazing! Terrible mask painting though. Just go teal mask (that matches the arm band color) with a red cage.... Plus a red stick. Simple masks are under appreciated.

I like what Novasteel is saying. That said, why not grab a set of used pads (year old) and give them a go first? I see tons of modern stuff on Sideline for a fraction of what they go for new. If the used ones are not right, grab another pair and sell the other ones. Then when you settle in, buy a new custom set. Used ones too will be slightly more flexible too rather than super duper stuff like new pads. Think of it as a transition pad. This is my plan when I replace my Velocity 1 pads. That, or just wear them until I die.

Kracken goalie's helmet looks bad. Sorry. What is it supposed to be. Why haven't any Kracken goalies gone with the octopus from Goonies yet? Or a combo Sloth/ Octopus? Or better:

I haven't even tried to wear it yet on the ice. Just in the house with another teammate inside with me.

I dig shells. They look pretty rad. My kids have several as all their teams all have their own. I think as a goalie - it looks pretty great when you're all matched up perfectly. Some day... My team just switched to Men's League Sweaters uniforms. The colors are eggplant and teal like the old ducks. Goalie cut is HUGE. Shells were too much teal.

Jenpro covered plywood?

Originally white pads were to help blend in with the wall behind the goal to trick shooters. Maybe Rittich should go for the gear that looks like a stick rack?

Agreed.

I'm starvin' Bruh.

Really sorry to hear. Don't retire, you have to get recovery and rehab going for something, right? Get back on the ice at least one more time. End on your terms - or just 'haven't played in a while'. Retirement is for old people. 60 isn't old. Why aren't we suing the transit company and then ordering some fresh custom gear? Am I nuts? I see people here in Philly run as fast as possible to jump on a Septa bus after it hits a car. What's your excuse?

I always struggle finding shells that don't feel like I'm wearing tight pants.

'Merica!

I fish all summer up in no man's land, Maine. The eagles are loud.

I think it's about time for some blurred lines I'll show myself out.

The internets had some holes in it.

I think everyone in Canada just refers to people from Ottawa as 'a-holes'.