Welcome to my hockey blog

I am a hockey player. I am a hockey coach. I have kids who play hockey. I check NHL scores on my phone every morning before I get out of bed. I have played all my life and I love the game.

These posts, notes and writings are a collection of my thoughts and experiences especially in relation to ice hockey in the UK.

Some of them may have a critical undertone and I make no apologies for that. I don't have smooth mittens in the rink and the same goes for my writing.

This is more Bob Probert than Mario Lemieux. You have been warned...

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Fast and furious in Bratislava – UK Prospects 2018

It is half six in the morning and 23 kids in red tracksuits are sizing one another cautiously, all wondering what the next five days will be like. Parents and siblings have gathered around hockey bags in small groups drinking coffee looking calm but bursting with pride and excitement inside. This was the team and the supporters that were about to jump on a plane and travel to Bratislava for a hockey tournament. Here’s what happened next. The selection The journey to get to that plane had been long and hard. These players represented some of the brightest U11s talent that UK has to offer and they had been selected after having played in four conference level tournaments and two specific selection camps throughout the season. They had gone head to head with other players on and off the ice and convinced the coaches that they have what it takes to not just participate but to compete and excel at the highest level. The day when the final team was announced was eagerly await...

What UK hockey needs is direction and collaboration

Watching the Olympics got me thinking about hockey in the UK and how great it would be to see team GB compete at the highest level. It does feel like a pipe dream considering that UK is a small hockey nation but there are others who have made it, just look at Norway, Korea or Denmark ( http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/the-iihf/survey-of-players/ ). That makes the lower volume of players or ice pads seem like a bit of an excuse. There is no denying that the limited access to rinks and ice time is a disadvantage but there are other things within the UK hockey that could be improved easily with little or no extra cost. The one thing that always surprises me about the UK hockey is just how bureaucratic and siloed everything is. There are a number of governing bodies that appear to be doing similar things, the clubs try to find their own way with relatively little support from the associations and there seems to be limited dialogue to support one another. In business being small ...

The Reality of Player Development: A Note for Parents and Players

A common challenge for grassroots hockey clubs and coaches is managing conversations with parents around the following concerns: "Why is my player training with a weaker group? They're bored and not being challenged. It was waste of time coming to practise today and they have now lost their motivation" "My player doesn’t have strong enough teammates to play with, and it’s affecting their development. They deserve better linemates to help them improve" "My player needs to be pushed harder to make it to Showcase, England, or GB." We pay a lot of money for our child to play hockey, they should be getting better opportunities than they are currently offered" "Why aren't we more competitive in our games? My player is too good for this level" While these comments are understandable, many stem from unrealistic expectations, misunderstandings about development, or the pressure of wanting (or want...

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