Those dads (and MOMS just the same) who are quietly running the hockey universe from their phones at 11:47 p.m. on a Tuesday juggling ice times, coaches, group texts, WhatsApp messages, and 14 different versions of “yeah maybe.”
They’re not doing it for clout.
They’re not posting training montages.
They’re just making hockey better for everyone.
This is a cheers to The Glue Dads the ones holding youth hockey together while nobody’s paying attention.
The Dads Who Build the Group
These dads don’t chase buzzwords like elite or exclusive.
They find a good coach at a fair rate.
They book the ice.
They invite teammates, friends, and sometimes kids from other teams who just want to get better.
No hierarchy.
No favourites.
No nonsense.
Just kids getting reps, competing, laughing, sweating, and learning together.
They understand something a lot of parents miss: hockey players don’t grow in isolation. They grow in environments.
And the best environment?
A positive one, filled with peers who push each other without tearing each other down.
The Other Dads (You Know the Ones)
Then there’s the opposite.
The dads who drop serious money on private sessions but won’t say with who.
The dads who get cagey when asked how often their kids train.
The dads who suddenly forget how texting works when someone asks for a coach’s name.
“Ah, yeah… we just do a bit here and there.”
“Nothing special.”
“I’ll send you the info.” (They never do.)
This isn’t confidence.
It’s insecurity.
Somewhere along the way, youth hockey picked up this strange idea that development is something to hide like sharing a good trainer will somehow ruin your kid’s chances.
That mindset doesn’t build players.
It builds walls.
Group Training Wins
Watch long enough and the pattern is obvious.
Kids who train together:
- Push each other naturally
- Learn how to compete and cooperate
- Get comfortable failing in front of peers
- Develop confidence in team settings
Kids who train alone:
- Miss out on pace and unpredictability
- Struggle with chemistry
- Carry unnecessary pressure
- Often plateau earlier than expected
Hockey is a team sport.
Players who grow up training like teammates tend to play like teammates.
This isn’t complicated.
It’s culture.
The Real Value
These Dads don’t just organize skills sessions.
They:
- Build community
- Keep parents engaged (and sane to a degree)
- Make extra training accessible
- Create momentum that carries through seasons
Most importantly, they show kids that success isn’t something you hoard it’s something you share.
That lesson lasts longer than any drill.
Takeaways
- Be the parent who opens doors, not guards them
- Share good coaches and good opportunities
- Group training builds better players and better teammates
- Hockey development thrives in inclusive environments
- The culture you create matters as much as the ice time you buy
Final Whistle
To the dads (and moms) booking the ice, filling the sessions, and keeping hockey honest.
You’re not just helping kids improve you’re protecting what makes this sport worth playing.
