Parent's Corner

Playing hockey brings a unique set of benefits to kids, including physical and mental health. From learning valuable life lessons to building teamwork and self-confidence, 

Players learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn to work together, how to sacrifice for the team, how to enjoy winning, and how to handle defeat. In the process, they also learn important lessons about physical fitness and personal health.

The degree to which your child benefits from their youth hockey experience is as much your responsibility as it is theirs. For your child to get the most out of youth hockey, showing support and offering encouragement while maintaining a genuine, positive interest in the team is important.

Parents are role models to their children, who often look to adults for advice, direction, and approval. Never lose sight of the fact that you are a role model, and strive to be a positive role model. As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is always show good sportsmanship to coaches, referees, opponents, and teammates.

Remember that your children are PLAYING hockey. Allow them to establish their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your standards or objectives.

The most important aspect of your child's youth hockey experience is to have fun while developing physical and emotional skills that will serve them in life. A healthy, risk-free environment that emphasizes the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, discipline, and most importantly, fun will be invaluable for your child as they continue to develop a positive self-image.

Let your kid learn and flourish. For this to happen, you as the parent have to step back and let it happen. Your kids need to fail in order to learn how to succeed. Your kids need to be benched if they aren’t working hard, listening, taking penalties, aren’t being a team player. If you as a parent get in the way of this process you are causing your child to go backwards. Please don’t prevent your child’s development.

The best way to help children achieve goals and reduce their natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. After all, no one likes to make mistakes. If your child makes a mistake - and they will (remember, they're just kids) - keep in mind that mistakes are an important part of the overall learning process. Strive to be supportive and point out the things they do well. Make your child feel like a winner.

• Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desire to play their chosen sport. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make it fun.
• Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams.
• Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches, or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and its participants your child will benefit.
• Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete.
• Know and study the rules of the game, and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.
• Applaud a good effort in victory and defeat and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.
• Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are very important in the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them.
• If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about the game and volunteer!

*From the USA Hockey Parents Code Of Conduct