BEHIND THE BENCH: Before You Hit "SEND"

Players,

By this point in the year, most of you have spent the summer attending camps, combines, showcases, tryouts, and evaluations. You have met new coaches, exchanged phone numbers, joined new team chats, added teammates on social media, and probably communicated with more hockey people in the past few months than at any other point in the year. For some of you, that communication has become even more important because you are waiting on a roster decision, adjusting to a new team, or trying to figure out where you stand with a coach. That is also when judgment starts to matter in ways you might not expect.

Maybe a coach has not answered as quickly as you hoped. Maybe you were criticized at practice. Maybe somebody else got the opportunity you wanted. Maybe a teammate said something that irritated you. Your first reaction might be to pick up your phone and respond right away, but here is the thing: the most damaging message you send probably will not be some carefully planned social media post. More often, it will be the text you write when you are angry, the complaint you drop into a group chat, the screenshot you forward because you think it is funny, or the sarcastic response you send before you have had time to cool off.

Once you hit send, you give up a certain amount of control over what happens next. A private message can be forwarded. A disappearing photo can be captured. A joke between teammates can look completely different when somebody sees only a screenshot without the conversation that came before it. This does not mean you need to avoid communicating. It means you need to use the same judgment with your phone that you are expected to use in the dressing room, on the bench, and around your team.

Junior hockey requires a lot more than talent. Coaches need players they can trust. Teammates need to know that what happens inside the room is not going to become somebody else's entertainment five minutes later. Billet families need to know that the player living in their home can handle himself responsibly. Teams need players who can accept criticism, deal with disappointment, and communicate without turning every disagreement into a larger problem.

The team group chat is a good example. It becomes an extension of the dressing room. Players joke around, talk about games, discuss practice, complain, share photos, and sometimes say things they would never say publicly. That trust matters. Forwarding messages, screenshots, private photos, injury information, or internal team conversations outside the group can damage relationships very quickly, and it is not always about whether you will get caught. It is about whether your teammates can trust you.

When it comes to communicating with coaches, especially about ice time, roster status, discipline, or something that happened during a game, a long emotional text is usually not the best way to solve it. Written messages work fine for simple information: practice times, travel questions, schedules, quick updates. Complicated disagreements usually deserve a conversation. Sometimes the smartest message you can send is simply asking when the coach has time to talk. If you are angry, embarrassed, disappointed, or exhausted, give yourself time before responding anyway. Read the message again later. Ask a parent or advisor to look at it if necessary. You may still decide that everything you wrote is fair, but at least you made that decision after thinking instead of reacting.

Parents can help with that process, especially with younger players, but you also need to learn how to communicate for yourself. Having Mom or Dad help you think through a difficult message is one thing. Having them write every message from your phone is something completely different. At some point, you have to become comfortable asking questions, handling disagreements, and speaking for yourself.

For younger players, it is important to understand that in covered U.S. programs, electronic communication between an adult participant and a minor athlete generally needs to be open and transparent, which usually means another appropriate adult is included in the communication. This applies to texts, emails, and social media messages. It is not a rule that prevents coaches from communicating with you. It is designed to keep those communications visible and appropriate.

None of this requires you to turn your social media accounts into recruiting brochures or start writing every text like a business letter. Nobody expects teenagers to communicate perfectly. You are going to say something poorly at some point. You may react too quickly. You may send a message you wish you could take back. Maturity is what happens next: Can you recognize that you handled something badly? Can you apologize without making excuses? Can you learn that some conversations need ten minutes before you respond and others need to happen on the phone or face to face? Those are the same skills that will help you far beyond hockey.

The send button is a decision point. Before you press it, ask yourself whether you would be willing to say the same thing, in the same way, sitting across from your coach, your teammates, your parents, or the organization you are asking to trust you. If the answer is no, there is probably a reason you should not send it.

Thank you,

Mike

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Arizona State faces questions over its heat illness protocols after hockey player Matthew Mayich suffered suspected exertional heatstroke during an outdoor military-style workout. Mayich, who had spent only days in Phoenix, reportedly had not completed ASU’s recommended heat-acclimatization period. Concerns include high heat-stress conditions, signs of distress before his collapse, and whether immediate cold-water immersion was provided. ASU police are investigating, while the university conducts a separate review of the workout and safety procedures.

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Hockey Canada and Bauer Hockey have unveiled a new official red jersey celebrating Canadian hockey heritage and national pride. The design restores the iconic Hockey Canada crest after four years, adding a gold border that reflects the program’s championship legacy. Maple Leaf elements appear from every angle, including the shoulders, sleeves and textured elbow areas. Created through Hockey Canada’s long-term Bauer partnership, the jersey represents performance, community and connection across men’s, women’s and para hockey programs nationwide.

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The Western Hockey League will stream 2026-27 WHL regular season games on YouTube on an interim basis, maintaining free and accessible live coverage for fans worldwide. The move follows uncertainty surrounding Victory+, the league’s exclusive streaming partner since March 2025. WHL Commissioner Dan Near emphasized accessibility and audience growth as key priorities. Clubs will maintain consistent game production, including enhanced broadcasts, intermission content and multiple camera angles, when the new season begins September 18. 

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The Charlottetown Islanders begin a new QMJHL chapter with former NHL player John Mitchell making his head coaching debut after Jim Hulton’s 11-year tenure. Returning veterans Matthew Butler, William Shields and Owen Conrad will anchor a roster featuring several newcomers, including Hudson Armstrong, Oleksii Kryvonos and Nathan Frost. Goaltender Donald Hickey also returns after establishing himself as a starter. Charlottetown enters the 2026-27 season looking to remain competitive in a balanced Atlantic Division following a 74-point campaign.

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The USHL Western Conference enters 2026-27 with defending Clark Cup champion Sioux Falls seeking back-to-back titles while Fargo, Lincoln, Des Moines and Sioux City aim to challenge. Top prospects include Joey Macrina, Riley Zupfer, AJ Francisco, Brock Stevenson and Trevor Hill, alongside several high-impact newcomers. Omaha and Waterloo are retooling, with Waterloo beginning a new era under Brett Olson. The season opens September 16-20 at the USHL Fall Classic in Chicago.

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The NCDC Great Lakes Division launches in 2026-27 with Chicago Union, Columbus Mavericks, Fort Wayne Spacemen, Metro Jets, Red River Spartans and Toledo Cherokee all moving up from the USPHL Premier level. Teams emphasize speed, depth, physicality, disciplined play and player development while adapting to Tier II hockey. Several clubs also highlight veteran leadership, international talent, stronger goaltending and NCAA advancement as priorities in a competitive first season for the new division.

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The Western International Junior Hockey League will introduce video review beginning with its exhibition season, giving officials added tools to improve on-ice decisions. Reviews can be used for major penalties involving player ejections, with officials able to confirm, elevate, reduce or rescind calls. Video review will also cover potential goals, including whether the puck crossed the line, illegal plays, goaltender interference and displaced nets, supporting the WIJHL’s push toward higher professional officiating standards.

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Jordan Szczecinski is set to become the first female assistant coach in recorded Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League history when she joins the Weyburn Red Wings bench for two preseason games. A longtime Weyburn hockey coach, Szczecinski has worked with the U15 AA and U18 AAA Gold Wings and previously assisted the Red Wings during training camp. Her milestone highlights growing female representation in hockey leadership and the importance of creating opportunities for future women coaches.

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Adam Ali and Jake McDermott have acquired the Carleton Place Junior Canadians’ Junior A and Junior B franchises, with the transaction approved by the CCHL and EOJHL. The new ownership group plans to strengthen player development, competitive excellence and community engagement while building a unified hockey culture across both programs. Ali brings business and minor hockey development experience, while McDermott contributes coaching and player-development expertise, with both emphasizing sustainability, accountability and pride in representing Carleton Place.

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The USPHL Premier Atlantic Conference enters 2026-27 with returning talent, new recruits and a strong focus on player development and advancement to the NCDC and college hockey. Connecticut Jr. Rangers aim to build on a 64-point season, while the Jersey Hitmen emphasize depth, work ethic and a direct NCDC pathway. Mercer Chiefs expect speed, structure and roster depth to drive success as teams compete for postseason opportunities and continued player progression.

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Players and families, we want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. We want to hear from you. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

 

Thank you,

Team VHC