Coaching at FVHA

At the 6U–8U level, players are just beginning their hockey journey. Most are still learning how to skate and move around in full gear, which can feel bulky and unfamiliar at first.

The primary goal at this age is to create a fun, engaging, and positive experience that makes kids excited to come to the rink. Keeping them active, smiling, and involved is key to long-term development and retention in the sport.

While fun is the focus, it’s also important that they make strides in developing the basics of skating, passing, and how the game is played, i.e. how to line up for a face off. These early building blocks set the stage for future growth.

As coaches, your energy, patience, and ability to connect with the kids will have a lasting impact—so thank you for helping create a great first experience in the game of hockey!

Coaching at the 10U level shares some similarities with younger age groups, but it also marks a significant step forward in player development.

First and foremost, fun remains the priority. Every player develops at a different pace, so creating a positive and encouraging environment is essential. However, this is also the stage where players begin to understand the concepts of winning and losing. It’s our responsibility as coaches to teach them that while competition is part of the game, the focus should always remain on development, effort, and enjoying the sport.

By this age, players should have a solid grasp of basic skating fundamentals, including forward and backward skating. They should begin to recognize the difference between a good and bad pass, and they’ll be introduced to various shooting techniques and the basics of positional play.

Our goal is to continue building confidence, deepen their understanding of the game, and foster a lifelong love of hockey.

Coaching 14U girls is an absolute blast! While the season is typically shorter than the high school level, it’s packed with just as much fun and development. At this age, we’re preparing players for the next level by reinforcing systems, ensuring they've mastered the basic fundamentals, and introducing more advanced concepts. It’s also a key stage for building team identity. Players should begin to fully understand what it means to win and lose as a team. These years are formative—many will carry the memories made here for life. That’s why we emphasize setting individual and team goals at the start of the season. These goals help players stay focused and push themselves to grow both on and off the ice.

Coaching boys' high school hockey is both challenging and deeply rewarding. At this level, players bring years of experience to the ice, and it’s where their development truly starts to come together. The season is longer, with more travel and competitive tournaments, which creates opportunities to test their skills under pressure. These athletes already understand the basics and intermediate concepts, so the focus shifts to refining their game, introducing advanced systems, and pushing them to perform at a higher level while also preparing players for potential opportunities at the junior and collegiate level.

What makes this age group exciting is their maturity and potential for leadership. They’re capable of taking ownership of their development, holding each other accountable, and setting a tone for younger players in the program. As a coach, it's about finding the balance between structure and creativity—challenging them in a high-expectation environment while keeping the game fun and meaningful. It’s a privilege to help guide them not just as hockey players, but as young men preparing for life beyond the rink.

Coaching at the 19U girls level is an incredibly rewarding experience. These athletes are nearing the peak of their youth hockey careers and bring a strong understanding of the game, along with a high level of commitment and maturity. At this stage, the focus is on fine-tuning advanced skills, systems, and situational awareness, while also preparing players for potential opportunities at the collegiate level or beyond. It's also a time for reinforcing leadership, accountability, and team culture. As a coach, you’re not just shaping hockey players—you’re helping guide confident, driven young women as they transition into adulthood, both on and off the ice.

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