Hockey's Getting Smarter (In More Ways Than One)

Welcome to All Access Hockey.

The hockey world just took a massive step forward in player safety, and parents are asking the big questions about development. Let's cut through the noise.

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

• The NHLPA's historic move on player safety (and why it matters)

• What actually predicts success in youth hockey

• Your questions answered - from elite teams to character building

Grab your coffee – let's dive in!

P.S. Like a great powerplay, I’ll keep it short but effective.

The Big News:

Let's talk about something that matters more than win-loss records or who's making the travel team – our kids' brains.

Big news just dropped that's making waves across the hockey world: The NHL Players' Association just created their first-ever CTE Advisory Committee. And before your eyes glaze over thinking this is just another bureaucratic thing, let me tell you why this is actually huge.

For years, the NHL has been on a journey of understanding when it comes to CTE (that's chronic traumatic encephalopathy - the scary brain condition caused by repeated hits to the head).

But now we’re seeing some positive change.

The NHLPA just unanimously voted to create a committee of 10 active NHL players (eventually growing to include players from all 32 teams) to tackle this head-on (pun intended, sorry).

Now, why should you care?

Because this isn't just about the pros. This is about every kid lacing up their skates in rinks across North America. It's about your player, my player, all of our players.

Think about it this way: When hockey gear first came out, players would hit the ice with leather skates and wooden sticks because that's what we knew. But as technology and research advanced, we embraced composite sticks, better helmets, and advanced protective gear. Why? Because when we know better, we do better.

That's exactly what this committee represents - it's not about changing the game we love, it's about making sure we're using the best available knowledge to protect our players, just like we did with equipment evolution. As any coach will tell you, the best players aren't just skilled - they're smart about how they train, how they recover, and how they protect themselves for the long game.

Quick story: I was talking to a former NHL player recently (keeping his name private because, well, hockey world is small). He told me something that stuck: "When I played, we treated concussions like it was a bad headache – something uncomfortable you just push through. Now I realize that was like treating a tornado warning like it's just a light drizzle."

So what's actually happening here?

1. The committee will work with medical experts.

2. They're focusing on understanding CTE better (because let's be honest, most of us just know it's "bad" but not much else).

3. They're looking at how to make the game safer without killing what makes hockey, well, hockey.

Here's why this matters for your player:

• The findings could change how we approach youth hockey

• It might influence everything from equipment standards to concussion protocols

• Most importantly, it could help us make better decisions about our kids' long-term health

The dangerous lie we often tell ourselves is "they're young, they'll bounce back." But when it comes to brain health, that's like saying the check engine light doesn't matter because the car is new.

Look, I'm not trying to scare anyone away from hockey. It's still the greatest game on Earth. But just like we wouldn't send our kids onto the ice without a helmet, we shouldn't send them out there without understanding what we're dealing with.

So what can you do right now?

1. Stay informed about the committee's findings.

2. Take concussion protocols seriously (even in house league).

3. Talk to your players about the importance of speaking up when something feels off.

Remember: We're not just raising hockey players; we're raising future adults who need their brains to work well long after they hang up their skates.

Keep your head up and your brain protected,

The Mail Bag ✉️

Just got hit with 2 questions so good, that I had to share them with everyone:

Brad asked: What should parents focus on to maximize their kid's potential in hockey?

After years of watching young players develop (and some going all the way to the show), I've noticed three things that matter more than the latest $300 stick or who's got the hardest shot:

1. Growth Mindset: Your player needs to believe they can get better. It's not "I can't" - it's "I can't yet."

2. Character: Being a great teammate matters more than being the leading scorer. NHL scouts don't just watch the highlight reel - they ask about the kid who raises the standard everywhere they go. You know the type - they're the ones making everyone around them better, pushing the pace at practice, and bringing the energy when the team needs it most. As one NHL scout told me: "Give me the player who elevates the whole organization over a pure skill guy any day."

3. Resilience: Hockey, like life, will knock you down. The greats aren't the ones who never fail - they're the ones who get back up faster.

I've got so much more to share about each of these that I'll be breaking them down in future newsletters. Consider this your pre-game warmup.

Allison asked: My daughter is 11. Should she be on an elite team for future success?

Let me hit you with some truth that might save you thousands of dollars and countless stress-filled car rides:

Early elite play is like getting straight A's in kindergarten - it's nice, but it's not predicting who's getting into Harvard.

Here's what actually matters at this age (and trust me, I've seen this play out hundreds of times):

• Ice time (lots of it)

• Puck touches (even more of them)

• Keeping the game FUN (this is the secret sauce)

• Building those fundamental skills

The beautiful thing? None of these require a $10,000 elite team fee. They can happen:

• On the pond with friends

• During open skate at the local rink

• In the driveway with a net and some rollerblades

• At house league games where your player touches the puck 50 times instead of 5

Think about it this way: Wayne Gretzky became The Great One by playing on the backyard rink his dad built, not in showcase tournaments at age 11.

Keep it fun, keep them playing, and keep the game where it belongs - in their hands.

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Alright, that's all we've got for this week! Hope you enjoyed it.

Quick favor: If you found this valuable, consider sharing it with another hockey family. Every new subscriber is like a little wind in my sails, keeping me motivated to bring you the best insights from inside the game.

Big things coming in the next edition that I can't wait to share with you all.

Keep your stick on the ice!

Mike

P.S. And if you just hit that forward button? You're the real MVP. Thanks for being part of this team.