From minor-hockey phenomenon to Hall of Fame sensation, Wayne Gretzky rewrote the record books, his accomplishments becoming the stuff of legend. Dubbed “The Great One,” he is considered by many to be the greatest hockey player who ever lived. No one has seen more of the game than he has—but he has never discussed in depth just what it was he saw.

The way in which we engage kids and teach sports has powerful implications on their long term success on and off the ice. The Longer Term Player Development Model was written as a roadmap and continues to evolve so every athlete is given a meaningful, enjoyable experience. Peter McBride is an assistant coach with the University of Toronto (men’s hockey team), as well as the coach mentor for Newmarket Minor Hockey Association and joins us this week.

When it comes to coaching our youth, why do we make the coaches with the highest level of qualification coach at the most elite levels and leave it to often less experienced coaches to truly teach the fundamentals of our sport?

Bob McKenzie’s life revolves around all things puck. With over 30 years in hockey media he has earned the moniker as hockey's 'Insider', breaking news and relaying information to droves of hockey fans on a daily basis. Bob has two best-selling books and has recently started a podcast of his own. We chat with him about all things hockey.

From the annual World Juniors tournament to new equipment or tickets to a game, even heading to a holiday tournament, everybody has different hockey memories around from around the holidays.

The World Junior Championships have always been a holiday tradition and this year is shaping up to be no different. Between servings of family dinners and large scale games of pond hockey, it’s safe to say many classic World Junior moments have had a lasting impression on everyone that enjoys our great game including TSN Insider, Darren Dreger who joins us this week.

With higher standards and more hockey-educated coaches involved in minor hockey today than ever before, it is often easy to overlook the fact that simple life fundamentals are just as important as the X’s and O’s, the perfect practice plan, or the best game strategy. Gord Stellick is a passionate hockey dad has been working on a three part series of life skills that hockey teaches for Hometown Hockey Magazine.

Hockey is the fabric of our country and the cornerstone of every community and few people know that better than Ron MacLean. It is a key part of our national identity and consumes us from early morning practices to the late game on Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday night. For Canadians, it is more than a sport, it is the thing that ties the community together.

The overemphasis of winning takes over our sports to the degree that most coaches will position players as young as five and keep them in that pigeonhole during practice and games for a whole season. This is done to maximize the team’s chances of winning the next league or scheduled tournament. Unfortunately the end result is a player who sees the game from only one perspective and learns only the limited skills, tactics, fitness and psychology demanded of that position

Coaches at every level can be tempted to 'go for the win.' At the minor hockey level, the decision to shorten the bench to squeeze out an extra win sends the wrong message. Taking away ice time in any situation just might take away interest in the sport altogether. A coach skipping over the third line in the final minutes of a tight game may not seem like a big deal to an adult. But the sweetness of whatever victory gained from such a move likely will still taste sour to all those kids deemed not worthy of playing.