Coachability: The Secret Skill That Becomes More Valuable the Higher You Climb in Hockey

In youth hockey, raw skill and hustle can carry you a long way. The fastest skater, the hardest shot, the most creative stickhandler—these players often dominate at early levels. But as you move into higher levels—varsity, juniors, college, and beyond—those advantages shrink. Everyone can skate. Everyone can shoot. Everyone competes hard.

So what separates the players who rise from the ones who stall out? More often than not, it’s coachability.

What Is Coachability?

Coachability is the ability to take feedback, understand it, and apply it to your game—quickly and consistently. It’s not about blindly agreeing with every piece of advice. Instead, it’s about being open-minded enough to try new approaches, self-aware enough to recognize your own weaknesses, and disciplined enough to make adjustments without letting pride get in the way.

Why It Matters More at Higher Levels

As you move up, the margin for error shrinks. The game is faster, the systems are more structured, and opponents are smarter and better prepared. Small details—stick positioning, gap control, body angle, timing—can be the difference between a win and a loss.

Coaches at elite levels don’t just look for skill—they look for players they can trust to execute a game plan and adapt to in-game changes. A coachable player can hear feedback on Monday, practice it Tuesday, and apply it effectively by Wednesday’s game. That kind of responsiveness builds confidence between coach and player, often leading to more ice time and bigger opportunities.

Coachability Builds Longevity

Talent might get you noticed, but coachability keeps you in the lineup. Players who resist feedback or think they have nothing left to learn often plateau or fade out. On the other hand, the best players in the world—yes, even NHL stars—are constantly refining their games, working with coaches, and making adjustments.

Hockey is a sport of constant evolution. If you want to keep climbing, your ability to learn, adapt, and grow will be just as important as your skating speed or shot accuracy.

Bottom line: Be the player who listens, learns, and applies. At the highest levels, that might just be the most valuable skill you bring to the ice.