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One of the greatest advantages young athletes have at Champions Hockey is access to real information from the highest levels of the game. Through a lifetime in minor hockey, junior hockey, university hockey, and professional hockey, Dax MacLean and Stacy Smallman have both built lasting friendships and trusted relationships throughout the sport. Those relationships include coaches, scouts, executives, player development staff (and in Stacy's case, his son) across the NHL. Tha

The female game continues to grow, and that growth is showing up at every level of hockey. With the rise of the PWHL, young female athletes now have more visibility, more opportunity, and more examples of what high-level women’s hockey can look like than ever before. As the game continues to evolve, the expectations around development should evolve with it. Elite female hockey requires a tremendous amount of commitment from athletes and their families. Long drives, travel, tr

We want to quickly address something important as we head into upcoming games. We’ve received a few comments about conversations being picked up on our game streams, specifically remarks from parents in the stands about players and referees. Just a reminder that these are kids on the ice, and many of the officials are young as well, and their families are often watching these streams. For those filming and streaming, please be very mindful of what’s being captured not just yo

Face-offs can look like a small part of hockey, but they happen constantly and often decide who controls the next shift. In a typical U13 game, there are often 40+ face-offs , depending on whistles, offsides, icings, and goals. Junior and professional games usually see 55 to 65+ face-offs per game because of faster pace, tighter checking, and more stoppages. That means players may battle for possession dozens of times every night. When you think of it that way, face-offs are

As players move through minor hockey, equipment gradually changes. Younger athletes typically wear full cages, while older players may transition to visors. One piece of equipment, however, should remain consistent at every level: the mouth guard. Many parents assume mouth guards are only necessary when a player’s teeth are exposed. In reality, research shows that mouth guards provide benefits well beyond protecting teeth from direct impact. They can help reduce dental injuri

At Champions Hockey, our goal is to surround athletes with coaches who have both high level playing experience and a passion for teaching the game the right way. One of the people leading that effort is Head of Player Development, Gabe Guertler. Many families around Fredericton have already had the chance to work with Gabe on the ice, but his path through the game is one that spans multiple leagues, countries, and levels of competition. Growing Up in Hockey… in Florida Gabe w

With the Olympics approaching, hockey fans across the country are reminded of something special about the game. Players who normally compete against one another, wear different jerseys, and battle all season long come together under Team Canada with a single purpose. For a brief moment, rivalries disappear and individual agendas are set aside in favour of one shared goal. That idea translates directly to the youth hockey experience. As players move through the ranks, hockey b

The second half of the hockey season feels different than the first. The excitement of opening games has settled, routines are well established, and the schedule can start to feel heavy for both players and families. This is often the point where progress becomes less obvious on the surface, but far more important underneath. The reality is that the habits built during the second half of the season often have more impact on long-term development than anything that happens ear

Confidence is one of the most talked-about traits in hockey, yet it is often misunderstood. Players are told to “be confident” or “play with confidence” as if it is something you either have or you don't. In reality, confidence is a skill. And like any skill in hockey, it has to be built through the right habits, environments, and repetitions. Confidence Comes From Preparation, Not Hype True confidence is not loud. It does not come from pre-game speeches or social media clips

This week is a huge one for Charlie Morrison as he gets ready to play in the CHL versus USA Prospects Game. It is an exciting moment for Charlie, his family, and everyone around Champions who has watched him grow up in our program. Charlie is a Miramichi kid who came all the way through the Champions pathway, from development programs to the Champions Hockey Academy U16 and U17 Prep School teams. Even back then, he was the player who stayed late, pushed himself, and wanted to

Goaltending is one of the most demanding and unique positions in sports. It takes courage, calmness under pressure, quick reactions, and a strong mindset to stand in the crease and face every shot. While every player contributes to the outcome of a game, goalies often feel the weight differently, and this article is meant to help players, parents, and teammates better understand and appreciate that experience. A Different Kind of Pressure Goalies deal with a level of pressure

The holiday break is a special time of year. Routines slow down, families come together, and many players take a step back from the busy hockey schedule. For athletes at any stage of development, taking a break is healthy and important. Rest supports growth, protects against burnout, and helps players return in January feeling energized and excited to play again. The goal during the holidays is not to train harder or fill every day with structured work. It is about enjoying t

Hockey has always been a sport built on speed, skill, and determination. As the game grows and athletes continue to push the limits of performance, technology has become a major part of training and development. From advanced video analysis to wearable tracking devices and skill development platforms, players today have access to tools that were unthinkable a decade ago. These innovations can provide valuable insights, support smarter training plans, and help athletes see the

It’s easy to assume that more ice time means more development. In reality, too much ice or the wrong kind of ice can hold players back. Real growth comes from quality instruction, balance, and rest. Our goal is to help families make informed decisions about their child’s development. Before signing up for Spring or development programs, here are five important things to consider when deciding what type of program will best support your player’s growth. 1.Fatigue limits learni

In youth hockey, it’s easy to get caught up in the number of “A’s” on a jersey. AAA, AA, A have become shorthand for skill level, effort, and potential. But the truth is, development doesn’t happen because of the logo or label on your chest. It happens because of what you do on the ice, the guidance you receive, and the environment you’re in. A perfect example of that is Chase Levesque. Chase played for the U11A Outlanders and the Champions Red Wings Prospect Series before ea

Every athlete has off days, missed opportunities, and moments they wish they could redo. But what separates great players from the rest isn’t perfection. It’s how they respond when things don’t go their way. Mistakes are part of every game and every practice. They’re not a sign of weakness or lack of talent, but an important part of learning. Each one shows where there’s room to grow and how to get better next time. Mistakes Create Momentum A mistake only becomes a setback if

Champions Hockey is excited to announce an agreement to assume operation of hockey-related activities formerly under the Riverview Honda...

The tryouts are done, the teams are made, and a new season is here. Whether you’re wearing the jersey you dreamed of or adjusting to a...

From Matt Wright, Director of Programming Dear Champions Hockey community, I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Gabe Guertler as...

At Champions Hockey, we spend a lot of time talking about skill development, teamwork, and commitment to the game. But one area that...