For some players, open borders have been a blessing. But here's the problem. When everyone can move... Not everyone benefits equally. And suddenly one association attracts hundreds of players while another struggles to ice a team.

That's not theory. That's happening right now.

And today… we’re talking about something that every coach in hockey has dealt with… but not every coach is willing to say out loud. The delusional hockey parent. The last few years have been the worst I’ve ever seen for delusional parents. Because these parents truly believe they’re helping their child… while they slowly destroy the experience for everyone around them — including their own kid.

Too many coaches coach the way they liked being coached. Too many adults think louder means clearer. And too many players get labeled as “not listening” when really… nobody ever learned how to reach them. Some players need details. Some need confidence. Some need repetition. Some need to see it. Some need to fail first before it clicks. The best coaches don’t just teach hockey. They study people.

“Not every kid is the star… and that’s okay—until a parent makes it a problem.” Player is solid, middle-of-the-lineup contributor. Parent pushes, complains, forces opportunity. Kid gets elevated too early… struggles… confidence crushed. You didn’t elevate your kid—you exposed them.

You ever notice this? Parents will sit in the stands… arms crossed… shaking their heads… second-guessing every decision… But flip the script for one second. What if a coach pulled you aside after the game… looked you dead in the eye… and said: “Hey… the way you’re raising your kid? That’s the problem."

Tryouts are here. And every player is thinking the same thing: “What do I need to do to make the team?” So what do they focus on? Goals. Speed.
Flash. Trying to stand out. But here’s the truth… After all these years playing, coaching, evaluating— That’s not what separates players. Not at the levels that matter.

Tryout season is here. And everywhere you go…

Rinks, stands, parking lots..There’s one conversation happening: Who’s making the team. Who’s moving up. Who’s getting cut. Who got “picked.” But what nobody really talks about? The decisions behind it. And I’ll tell you right now, It’s not as simple as people think.

There’s a gap in hockey. A big one. Between what people think the game is… And what it actually becomes. And the truth? A lot of parents… and a lot of players… Don’t have a clue what’s coming.

“We’ve reached a point where head coaches aren’t just picking teams anymore… They’re being told to defend the people helping them pick the team— And if they don’t do it the ‘right way’? They’re out. That’s not development. That’s control.”

Before rankings. Before labels. Before pressure.

There was something else. A pond. A rink without boards that mattered. A game played for nothing… and everything at the same time. Just hockey. And somewhere along the way… We lost parts of that.