At some point in their careers, all young hockey players find themselves in a position where they aren’t getting as much ice time as they would like or as they think the deserve. Even really good AA, AAA and junior players who I work with have to deal with it at one time or another. 

When players I work with come to me about playing time I tell them that it's not my job – or their parents’ job –  to deal with the coach. This has to be handled by the player or else the situation is likely to get worse. However, these are still blossoming young adults we are talking about, so I have no problem providing advice about how they can best handle the situation.

How you approach your coach about your situation is key to getting the conversation off on the right foot and keeping him from going into defensive mode right way. Whether your intial contact is a conversation, a text message or an email, be polite, courteaous and take the emotion out. In any correspondence or face-to-face meeting your tone and body language need to remain positive throughout the conversation. If you absolutely don’t agree with a coach’s assessment, politely ask him if he would be willing to over some things with you on video in another session. You both might be surprised.

Don’t be demanding. Don’t complain. Accept the answers instead of debating. Actually listen to EVERYTHING the coach says without cutting him off or trying to formulate a rebuttal in your mind while he is still speaking. Be thankful and appreciative. Make it clear that you want what’s best for the team and think that if given the opportunity you can help the team win. Advocating for yourself without being demanding is acceptable. Promise to go out and work as hard as possible and to do everything you can to give the coach what he wants. 

Of course there are times where the situation gets to the point that I might need to intervene, but when that happens it’s more about finding a new home and helping a player get traded or released so he can play for another program and a coach who might be a better fit.

This doesn’t have to be ugly or adversarial. Some players aren’t a good fit for some coaches and vice versa. It happens at all levels. That doesn’t mean the player is bad or the coach is a horrible person. How the player handles the situation will go a long toward determining the eventual outcome, whether that is with the current team or a new one.

Here is one thing to think about before we go farther: More times than not if a player goes into a conversation with a coach about playing time with a legitimately open mind and truly willing to do whatever it takes to meet the coach’s expectations, the long-term results will be positive for the player.

I can point to my son Devin, who spent his first six weeks transitioning from AAA hockey to the NCDC in and out of the lineup, as a great example. He was told that he made the team initially because they knew he was a highly skilled player with great potential, but also that they could play him in the bottom six and be confident that he would do everything they asked of him.

Over the first six weeks he was in and out of the lineup and showed flashes of the potential they saw in him, but there were very specific things the coaches wanted him to focus on to become a better all-around player who wouldn’t hurt the team. At one point he was scratched for five straight games, but he was adamant that he handle the situation and that I not get involved.

On his own he asked if he could skate with both the Premier and NCDC teams in practices to get more ice time. The coaches readily agreed, and that allowed him to focus on the things they were asking of him in his regular NCDC skates while concentrating more on skill and other things to stay sharp in Premier practices. Later the coaches would talk about the humility and character Devin showed by doing this, and how when other players in his situation saw what he was doing, many followed his lead. 

He practiced on the first penalty-kill unit against the NCDC team’s very talented first power play every day in practice and treated that like a game opportunity, blocking shots and scoring shorthanded goals to earn his teammates’ respect while helping them get better, too. Although he didn’t get a ton of PK time during his first season of juniors, that year of approaching practice like a game against high-level players would pay off in the future.

Right before Thanksgiving Devin was given an opportunity to skate on the top line with an NCAA Division I commit and against a team with 12 D1 commits of its own. He scored his first goal, had an assist and helped his team beat one of the top Tier 2 programs in the country.  Devin played among the top six forwards for the next four games – all victories, including a win against a team that only lost four games all year.

The coach told him he had never seen a player progress at that level so quickly, but on a very strong team filled with future NCAA hockey players, one lackluster practice or game could very easily land him a seat in the stands again. And that did happen few more times during the remainder of the season. But by the end of the year he was in the lineup regularly and played a key role in his team's first-round playoff victory, a thrilling series that featured two overtime battles, includig an OT win in the deciding game.

Fast-forward a year with a new team in the same league and Devin had moved into the top six permanently, saw time on the power play and was on the top PK unit. He probably led all of the team’s forwards in hits and blocked shots and had gone from a player who was viewed as a skill guy with defensive deficiencies to arguably his team’s top two-way forward.

Fast-forward another year to his freshman season playing at the NCAA Division III level for Suffolk University. After starting the year on the fourth line, three weeks into the season in a game against a very good Endicott team that would qualify for the NCAA Tournament, he was moved into the top six, onto the power play and used on the top PK. That day Devin recorded a pair of assists, blocked some shots and knocked a player into his bench with a big hit. He never relinquished that top-six status for the rest of the year, appearing in all 27 games, leading a talented group of 14 freshmen and ranking second on the team in scoring and again most likely leading all forwards in blocks and hits.

On a side note, even though he asked to be moved to another team where he would have a better opportunity his second year in the NCDC, Devin’s coach and general manager from that first team were happy to reach out to college coaches on his behalf as he was being recruited the next year.

Hockey is a small world, so it is important not to burn bridges, be a great teammate and always strive to do what your coaches ask of you. Being in a situation you aren’t happy with and playing for a coach who wants more from you can be difficult and upsetting, but if the situation is approached properly it can prove to be a learning experience that opens more doors for you down the road.

Keeping that lesson in mind, here is an article I wanted to share courtesy of my good friends at HockeyTraining.com. If you are looking ways to improve your game on and off the ice, I highly recommend checking out their website. There are a ton of free articles and resource on their site, and if you want to work with them on an individual basis to improve spefiic areas of your game, that is an option, too.

10 Tips to Get More Ice time

By Dan Garner – HockeyTraining.com

A question that frequently springs up in a hockey player’s mind is “How can I get more playing time?” Parents also want their kids to get more time on the ice, and most of them can create a real argument as to why their kid deserves it. 

Coaches understand that it’s tough being the player who only gets a few minutes each game. For many players, hockey is a favorite pastime: They play some form of it during school breaks, after school, before school —anytime they get a chance. So when you’re deprived of “showing them what you’ve got” because you’re riding the bench, it can be heartbreaking. 

There are limited minutes to divide up during a game, and some hockey teams are so large that a player can ride the bench the entire game, and it won’t impact the team’s shifts in any way.  

This makes life tough on the kid, tough on the parents, and tough on the coach. And there’s no easy fix, which results in players having to compete with their teammates for ice time. 

In this article, I’m going to share with you 10 different tips you can use to increase the amount of ice time you receive each game. If you follow these honestly and consistently, you will put yourself in the best possible position to get more ice time than ever this year.

#1: Don’t Complain

Let’s get this one out of the way first: excuses, whining and complaining aren’t going to get you more ice time—even if it’s all justified. 

Your coach and your teammates won’t be on board with it, so instead of whining about what you think is fair, start focusing on things that are within your control. These things include your attitude, your hockey training program, how much at-home skill work you do every day, your hockey-specific nutrition, how much game study you do, etc. 

Focus on what makes you better; trust me when I tell you that whining and complaining have never gotten anybody anywhere in hockey.  

#2: Be Patient

I want to make one thing very clear; earning playing time isn’t something that is going to happen overnight. 

Even if you implement all 10 tips in today’s article, you can’t expect to get 20 more minutes of ice time in your next game. These things take time. You need to keep working hard, working smart and focusing on the things you can control rather than the things you can’t. 

If you follow these tips and you keep a positive attitude, your time will come. 

#3: Put the Team before Yourself

Even though I want you to get more ice time, the most efficient way to do this is by always doing what’s best for the team. 

The team is always the No. 1 priority. 

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re not worried about who gets the credit. 

Even when you feel like you’re unfairly stuck on the bench, you should be cheering loudly for your teammates during the game. Be the first to rush over and help a teammate after they’ve been checked. If it’s a 2-on-1 and your teammate has a better chance of scoring, don’t be a hero and try to take the shot yourself. 

Make your teammates better.

The player who is more worried about his individual stats than the success of the team will never get the ice time he is looking for. 

#4: Know Your Game

Your coach and your fellow teammates love it when you have the self-awareness to know your strengths and weaknesses and adjust your game accordingly. 

If you’ve never been an offensive-minded D-man, halfway through the 3rd period during a tie game is not the time for you to work on this skill. Instead, focus on your weaknesses during practices and with your dryland training. 

The main skill you need in hockey is to have the self-awareness to know when you should and shouldn’t do certain things out on the ice. 

Only once you’ve worked hard enough in practice to develop your weaknesses and can consistently produce high-level outputs should you be taking advantage of those opportunities during high-pressure situations out on the ice. 

Unpredictability is not a good trait. Your coach and teammates should know your game so they can create a strategy around it where everybody does his own job in the best way possible for the betterment of the team as a whole. 

#5: Attack the Tough Plays

If you’re a player who is willing to make the tough plays out on the ice, your coach will always want you out there. 

Games are constantly decided by turnovers and possession, so what coach wouldn’t give you extra minutes each game if you have the grit to do the dirty work out on the ice?

Be the player who:

·       Finishes checks

·       Back-checks with everything you've got 

·       Is willing to dive in front of shots to block them 

·       Protects the goalie

·       Works hard for rebounds

·       Hustles every single shift

The player who makes the tough plays is invaluable to any hockey team.  

#6: Listen to the Coach

This sounds simple and obvious, but many players drop the ball with this one.

In order to get more ice time, you have to understand that it’s the coach who decides whether or not you play—not your friends, parents, or siblings.

If your coach is telling you to pass the puck, but you know your girlfriend is in the audience and you think it would be cool to try for a breakaway, what do you think you should do? 

Pass the puck!

Do everything you can to make the person that decides your minutes happy with what you’re doing on the ice. 

Beyond this, always appear to be interested in what the coach is saying. Do you look like you are listening when the coach is talking? Or do your eyes and mind wander?

Look, I know it’s possible to look around and still hear everything the coach is saying, but it’s important that you leave no room for error in his mind. You need to let him know you are listening through your eye contact, engagement and attentiveness. Don’t give the coach a reason to believe you’re not paying attention. 

Coaches love players who are willing to learn. That all starts with being quiet and respectfully attentive while they are speaking. 

#7: Improve Your Hockey-Specific Fitness

Don’t be the hockey player that has minutes reduced simply because you aren’t following a hockey-specific training program designed by a Hockey Training Specialist. 

If you don’t have the level of fitness to stay on the ice and remain productive for your entire shift, then your ice time will be reduced regardless of your skill level. Your skills mean absolutely nothing if you’re tired.

A well-conditioned player who is able to give 100% all game long will receive way more ice time than a less-conditioned player with the same ability.  

When players are tired they commit to stupid penalties, they don’t finish their checks, they hardly backcheck, they take silly shots they know don’t have a chance of going in the net and they generally put their team at a disadvantage. 

The game of hockey won’t wait around for you to catch your breath. 

Get on a real hockey training program today to reach your ultimate potential. 

#8: Get on a Hockey-Specific Nutrition System

Your diet is a rate-limiting step toward your hockey performance. Meaning, if you don’t have your diet in check, it is an independent factor of performance and can absolutely ruin your abilities out on the ice. 

You can think about it just like you would a Ferrari. Would you ever put regular gas in a Ferrari? Of course not: a high-performance car demands high-performance fuel.

Your “vehicle” is your body, and you must give it high-performance fuel if you are expecting it to perform well out on the ice. 

This is why I offer free access to the Hockey Nutrition Masterclass within the major programs here at Hockey Training, as well as for all of the members in the ultra-popular Hockey Skills Accelerator group.  

It is essential for success in hockey, because a poorly fueled and poorly hydrated athlete will never get as much ice time as he thinks is deserved.

#9: Do At-Home Hockey Skills Drills

As blunt as it may sound, there is no better way to get more ice time than by becoming a better hockey player than the teammates you’re up against. 

It’s an irrefutable fact: the better hockey player has the better chance of receiving more ice time. 

If you want to fast-track your skill development, then don’t just train during games and practices. Instead, dedicate time each and every day to work on your shooting and stickhandling from home. It doesn’t take much to get a set up going at home, and that consistent practice will pay off in a huge way as the weeks go on. 

We have tons of free at-home stickhandling drills for you to check out here, and you’ll improve your shot dramatically by consistently performing these shooting drills in your free time.   

Then, when you’re ready to really take things to the next level, check out the advanced Hockey Skills Drills and Silky Mitts routines we have in our Hockey Skills Accelerator program. 

#10: Speak with the Coach

Sitting back and assuming the reasons why you’re not getting ice time is a big mistake.

Instead, you should set up a meeting with the coach or just simply ask them for a few minutes of his time before or after practice (for bonus points, ask what time is most convenient for him). 

This can be a tough conversation depending on the attitude of your coach and what his opinions are on the game. But coaches should always be open to discussing playing time with their players as long as it’s done appropriately. (Some coaches may refuse to have discussions about playing time, and it’s my opinion that that is doing the entire team a major disservice.) 

But, remember that this is a two-way conversation. Players must be prepared to accept what they might not like to hear. 

It’s extremely important that the questions asked aren’t coming across as aggressive or condescending. Don’t speak with an angry tone and remember that your body language is speaking just as loudly as your words. 

With that said, here are a handful of questions I think would be a great idea to ask:

1.     What should I improve on?

2.     What can I do off the ice to become a better player?

3.     What can I do to help the team?

4.     What’s holding me back from getting more ice time? 

5.     What do you think my strengths and weaknesses are as a player? 

The worst thing you can do is argue the answers you receive. Absorb the answers, even if you disagree with them, and do whatever you can to improve your current standing on the team. 

Setting up this conversation, remaining level-headed and asking these questions will prove to the coach that you want to help the team and that you are committed to becoming a better hockey player. 

No matter how uncomfortable this conversation may seem to you, it’s important to get it out of the way, because the only thing worse is remaining completely in the dark about why you aren’t seeing the ice time you think you deserve. 

Final Thoughts

If you consistently follow these 10 tips, you will be putting yourself at a huge advantage towarde getting more ice time each game and reaching your potential in this sport. 

Here they are once again:

1.     Don’t complain

2.     Be patient

3.     Put the team before yourself

4.     Know your game

5.     Attack the tough plays

6.     Listen to the coach

7.     Improve your hockey-specific fitness

8.     Get on a hockey-specific nutrition system

9.     Do at-home hockey skills drills

10.  Speak with the coach

Dan (or Coach Garner) is a Hockey Performance Specialist and the head coach at HockeyTraining.com.

He holds 12 of the top certifications in both training and nutrition, as well as a formal education in both functional medicine and health science.

Dan specializes in hockey performance, having worked with hundreds of athletes from the youth leagues, right up to juniors, AHL, KHL, and NHL.

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