Not long ago, hockey development followed a fairly traditional path. Players learned most of their skills in team practices, with coaches focused on systems, conditioning, and preparing for the next game. Skill work happened, but it was often limited by time, ice availability, and the need to manage an entire roster at once. Today, that landscape has changed dramatically. The rise of dedicated skills coaches has reshaped how players train, develop, and ultimately separate the

There’s a common belief in youth hockey that the more games you play, the better you’ll get. While games are important, “just playing games” is not the most effective way to improve long-term performance.  The fastest-developing players understand a key truth: skills are built in practice, not magically during games. Games Expose Skills — They Don’t Build Them Games are a test. They reveal what a player can and can’t do under pressure. But if a player struggles with puck cont

If you watch an elite player closely during practice, one thing becomes obvious very quickly: they don’t just go through the motions . While everyone on the ice may be doing the same drills, elite players are practicing with a different level of intention, awareness, and purpose. Over time, those small differences add up to massive gaps in performance. So what exactly separates elite players from everyone else when the puck drops at practice? 1. They Practice With a Clear Pur

In today’s game, the puck-moving defenseman is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. As hockey continues to get faster and more structured, teams rely on defensemen who can not only defend but also efficiently transition the puck from the defensive zone to offense. A great puck-moving defenseman doesn’t need to be the biggest or the hardest shooter on the ice; they need to think the game at a high level and execute consistently under pressure. So what separates an average de

As the holidays approach, there’s no better place to embrace the spirit of the season than on the ice at Cutting Edge Ice Academy. Known for its dedication to skill development, hockey, and goaltending excellence, Cutting Edge is rolling out a full slate of special holiday-season programming — including camps, skills clinics, 3v3 games, and goalie-specific training. Here’s a look at what’s coming up at the rink this season. Holiday Break Skating & Skills Camp (Dec 27–30) & Ho

When people talk about great hockey players, they usually jump straight to skill: skating, shooting, passing, puck handling. But at every level—from youth development to the NHL—coaches will tell you the same thing: character is the real separator . Skill gets you noticed. Character keeps you in the lineup, accelerates your development, and earns the trust of teammates and coaches. Here are the most important character traits in hockey —the ones that consistently show up in p