The OHL's Power Play: Expansion Changes Everything

Welcome to All Access Hockey.

The OHL just dropped some big news about expansion (and it's bigger than anyone expected). Plus, we're talking about the one skill that matters more than any deke or snapshot - resilience.

Here's what we'll cover in less than 5 minutes:

• OHL's "aggressive expansion" plans

• What this means for player opportunities

• Building resilience during tough stretches

• A parent's guide to coach communication

Grab your coffee. Let's dive in.

The OHL's Big Move: Expansion is Coming

Just when you thought the hockey world was done with big changes, here comes another game-changer.

The OHL just announced they're planning "aggressive expansion" - and this isn't your typical adding-a-team-or-two situation. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, we could see significant growth as early as next season.

Here's what we know:

• OHL is eyeing multiple new markets

• Could be targeting USHL territories

• Toronto is a prime target

• Changes could come as soon as next season

• Looking at "more than two" new teams

Why This Matters: The OHL hasn't added an expansion team since 1998. That's 25 years of stability about to change. For families with young players, this means new opportunities and potentially new development paths opening up.

The league currently has 20 teams (17 in Ontario, 3 in the U.S.). But OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford is particularly interested in cracking the Toronto market, calling it "absolutely part of our strategy."

Let's Talk About Resilience In Hockey

Your kid's in the middle of their season right now. And if they're like most players, they've probably had some games where they looked amazing, and others where... well, let's just say the scouts weren't calling.

Here's the deal with resilience in hockey:

It's not about avoiding the tough times. That's impossible. It's about how you handle them.

Think of resilience like a muscle. You can't just decide to be resilient one day. You have to build it. And like any muscle, it only grows when it's stressed.

So those bad games? Those tough shifts? The benchings?

They're not problems. They're opportunities.

Here's what the best players know about resilience:

They see stress differently. Instead of freaking out about a bad game, they get curious. What can they learn? How can they adjust? They turn pressure into fuel.

They stay adaptable. Hockey's weird. Sometimes you're on the first line, sometimes you're not. Sometimes the bounces go your way, sometimes they don't. Roll with it.

Most importantly? They play the long game.

One bad game doesn't make a bad season. One tough month doesn't make a bad career. One setback doesn't define you.

For Parents: Your job isn't to remove obstacles. It's to help your kid learn to climb over them.

After a tough game, your player doesn't need a coach in the passenger seat. They need a parent who sees the bigger picture.

Bottom line: Every great hockey player has faced adversity. The ones who make it aren't the ones who never struggled.

They're the ones who learned to bounce back.

That's the real game within the game. And it's one worth winning.

The Mail Bag ✉️

Rick asked: “What's the best way to communicate with the coach without turning into that parent?”

Great question, Rick. Here's how to talk to coaches without being That Parent.

Think of it like calling a friend at 3am - timing matters.

Here’s your Playbook:

• Wait 24 hours after games (emotions are like spoiled milk - they need time to expire)

• Ask your kid first (they usually know why they're not playing)

• Stay curious, not critical

Instead of: "Why isn't Jimmy getting more ice time?" Try: "What should Jimmy focus on to earn more opportunities?"

See what happened there? Same question, different conversation.

Bottom line: Good parent-coach relationships aren't built on complaints - they're built on collaboration.

And remember: Every parent thinks their kid is the next Bedard. Every parent wants more ice time. Be different.

Stay curious. Be brief. Focus on solutions.

That’s all for now! Hope you enjoyed it.

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Mike