Coaches Insight, featuring Kyle Gustafson
- brock609
- Nov 4, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 5, 2024
I’m honored to participate in this inaugural issue of “Hawk Talk.” As both the head coach for the Portland Winterhawks and a passionate hockey parent, I'm excited to share my thoughts on two crucial aspects of youth hockey development: ice time allocation and skill development.
Ice Time: Less Isn't Always Less
Let’s start by discussing ice time. (And no, I’m not talking about the time your child is on the ice during a game!)
We all know that here in the Portland area, we face the challenge of limited ice time for practices and development purposes. It's important to remember that quality often trumps quantity. Not only can we make half-ice practices work, but I’ve found that they can be incredibly effective.
More Puck Touches in Small Spaces—think Futsal! A while back, I attended the NHL Coaches association meeting and was lucky enough to listen to Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins speak on this topic. In the end, more puck touches in tighter spaces only lead to the improvement of muscle memory, creating stronger skill development. I’ve found that smaller ice surfaces also force players to make quick decisions and execute precise passes and shots, helping players adapt to pressure and make split-second decisions when it’s game time.
As a testament to the effectiveness of half-ice practice, we can look to the Portland Winterhawks. As I was thinking more on this topic, I became curious: since we have the luxury of videotaping our practices for development purposes, I wanted to see how we used our ice. In a recent 75-minute practice session, we allocated 40 minutes to small-area drills, which allowed the team to focus on puck protection, passing, defending, and offensive play. Using this strategy and high-intensity approach, we were able to maximize player development in a limited amount of space. I’ve attached the video here:
Finally, I think it’s important to recognize that small-area games help to create healthy competition and increased enjoyment of the game. In the end, switching things up from time to time and creating this type of environment is healthy for any player or team.
The Importance of Skill Development
In today's fast-paced hockey world, individual skill is paramount. In the following clip, Brad Treliving, a former Winterhawk and the current General Manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs, emphasizes that a balance between skill development and team play is essential.
Clearly, while it’s absolutely necessary to focus on team dynamics, it’s equally important to focus on each player’s individual skill. By prioritizing skill training, we can help young players reach their full potential and continue to enjoy the sport for years to come.
I hope this insight has been helpful and informative. Happy skating, and go Hawks!
