Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

What are thoughts on hockey only specialization before the age of 13-14? Many parents who’s kids are playing at a high level hockey have their kids plays second sport but a few parents have advised that you should specialize only in hockey to remain playing at a high level.

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:54 pm What are thoughts on hockey only specialization before the age of 13-14? Many parents who’s kids are playing at a high level hockey have their kids plays second sport but a few parents have advised that you should specialize only in hockey to remain playing at a high level.

If they like another sport keep them in it. It doesn’t need to be the same level as hockey. If your kid only likes hockey then go with it. Gthl had a column on their site about the subject a few months ago. Most NHLers played another sport as youngsters then focused on specifically hockey later on.

Lacrosse is a good crossover as it gets them used to contact early on, and good for footwork and eye hand.

"eye hand" are you f*cking mental?

LAX is a great sport bc you have to move your feet all the time or you get smoked

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:25 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:54 pm What are thoughts on hockey only specialization before the age of 13-14? Many parents who’s kids are playing at a high level hockey have their kids plays second sport but a few parents have advised that you should specialize only in hockey to remain playing at a high level.

If they like another sport keep them in it. It doesn’t need to be the same level as hockey. If your kid only likes hockey then go with it. Gthl had a column on their site about the subject a few months ago. Most NHLers played another sport as youngsters then focused on specifically hockey later on.

Lacrosse is a good crossover as it gets them used to contact early on, and good for footwork and eye hand.

Unless the other sport is at the house league level then don’t bother. Assuming you are at the AAA level already by 13, there just isn’t enough days of the week to do anything else or you’ll fall behind. Everyone at this level trains to be perfect

If you’re sole focus is hockey and only hockey before u15 youre missing a lot of other key development aspects of an athlete. Almost all high level professional athletes were multi sport athletes. Any parent who tells you otherwise is living a dream through their own children. Provide multiple experiences and opportunities for your kids. And take time away from the rink.

I agree I think all this talk about playing other sports is BS because elite hockey programs are literally going 5, 6, 7 days a week all year long. How are you supposed to do another sport? My kid used to do baseball and soccer in the summers, but now they have hockey practice 3 nights a week, gym session once a week, and a tournament every 2 or 3 weeks all summer long. So what nights is he supposed to do any other sport? But this is how a lot of teams train all year round, so you can't opt out of it or then you aren't participating or keeping up with the rest of the boys.

Maybe my thinking is old school that it's good to cross train in different sports, but the way elite hockey programs run these days you couldn't do another sport even if you wanted to!

(And yet our Canadian junior hockey players still look like crap against the USA and friggin Latvia! So what does that say about our training!)

This is the exact problem with hockey in Canada right now. They are over training in hockey alone because it has become a big business with a lot of appetite from naive parents. In the US they play much fewer games and continue to play a secondary sport. They are not over training the same hockey movements. Canada has a big problem right now with their program. Ask anyone with background in this area and they will tell you it’s important to be an athlete and not specialize until 15. This will benefit in the long run, prevent overuse injuries and allow players to be more creative. The problem is that parents who’s kids never played hockey and have come to embrace this new sport are being brainwashed and they have their kids plays money to burn. Do the research of all NHL players and over 90% played multiple sports until age 15.

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:54 pm What are thoughts on hockey only specialization before the age of 13-14? Many parents who’s kids are playing at a high level hockey have their kids plays second sport but a few parents have advised that you should specialize only in hockey to remain playing at a high level.

Totally agree