Sometimes we forget that this is a game. Youth hockey - even competitive hockey - is supposed to be fun for our kids. That doesn't mean goofing off all the time at practices, or that kids get to do whatever they want. They will still work hard and strive for excellence. 

It just means that the focus is on staying positive, even when things go wrong. Even the best players in professional hockey make mistakes all the time. 

It also means acknowledging that every kid is different, and develops the complex skills required to play hockey at different rates.  The goal is to ensure each kid has the opportunity to be the best version of themselves that they can be, both on and off the ice. 

Hockey is a tough, demanding sport. It's not meant to be easy. The good news is that our kids can do difficult things. With hard work and a positive attitude, anything is possible.