Behind the Bench: Where Junior Hockey Starts The Victorious Hockey Company's biweekly newsletter

Most of the time I try to keep this newsletter focused on the ins, outs, ups and downs of junior hockey, but this week I want to take a closer look at its source. Many of you reading this newsletter are in the middle of youth hockey. Some of you are just getting started, and others are beginning to hear more about junior opportunities. Every junior roster is built from today’s youth players, and the choices you make now in youth hockey shape your son’s habits, confidence and options later.

Before we get lost in team names, levels and logos, it helps to step back and look at what you actually want these years to do for your son. Youth hockey can build skills, character and real opportunity, but it can also drain families if the focus slips to the wrong things. This week is not about panic or second guessing. It is about resetting the lens so the time, money and energy you are investing are actually working in your player’s favor.

Here are a few principles worth keeping front and center this season:

Development, not destination. Not every player will end up in the USHL or Division I. Every player can develop, improve and find a meaningful place in the game. Focus on getting better, not being “better than.”

Do not chase letters or logos. AAA can cost over 25,000 dollars a year. AA programs often offer comparable development and more playing time for far less. The best path is the one that fits your player’s needs, not the one with the flashiest logo.

Pick coaches, not jerseys. A good coach can change a player’s entire trajectory. Prioritize programs where your son is taught, held accountable and given a real chance to grow.

Watch for burnout. By 13, a lot of kids quit. If the joy disappears, everything suffers. Make room for other interests, unstructured time and the social side of the sport so hockey stays something they look forward to.

Hockey does not raise your kid. You do. Your values matter more than your player’s stats. Use the game to teach accountability, humility and resilience. Those traits will matter long after the final youth season ends.

I expand on these ideas in my article on JuniorHockey.io titled “Getting the Most Out of Youth Hockey,” but even if you never read it, take a moment this week to ask yourself a few questions. What are you chasing? Why are you chasing it? And how do you make sure your player still loves the game three years from now as much as they did when they started?

Thank you,

Mike

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Matteo Giampa scored twice, including the third-period game-winner, as the Miami RedHawks edged No. 20 Union College 3-2 to capture the Friendship Four championship and the Belpot Trophy. Matteo Drobac made 29 saves, while Casper Naseen added a power-play goal. Miami improved to 10-4-0 and remains unbeaten in non-conference play. The RedHawks became the first NCHC team to compete in the tournament, setting a high standard for future appearances with a resilient title win.

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Team USA announced its 28-player preliminary roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, aiming for a third straight gold on home ice in Minnesota. Headlining the squad are nine returnees, including tournament scoring leader Cole Hutson, and eight first-round NHL Draft picks such as James Hagens, Cole Eiserman, and Will Horcoff. The roster spans NCAA, USHL, CHL, and AHL talent. Goaltending remains a key question as the team eyes final cuts by December 23.

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The 2026 Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game will now headline a multi-day event spotlighting elite junior talent. New additions include the GOHL Top Prospects Game on January 13 and a U16 AAA Top Prospects Showcase spanning January 13–14 in Peterborough. These showcases provide critical exposure for NHL and OHL scouts ahead of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. Games will stream on FloHockey, with free admission to showcase events and limited tickets for the main prospects game still available.

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Speculation of a CHL–USHL “Mega-Merger” surged after USHL Properties filed a trademark for the National Junior Hockey League (NJHL). However, despite viral social media claims, no merger is imminent. The move appears to be a strategic rebrand as the USHL adapts to a shifting NCAA landscape, where CHL players now maintain college eligibility. With vast financial and structural disparities—especially in franchise valuations and facilities—a true integration with the CHL remains unrealistic for now.

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The Madison Capitols will move to a new 3,000-seat arena in DeForest for the 2026–27 season, anchoring the upcoming DeForest Yards entertainment district. The LEGACY20 Arena will offer enhanced fan amenities, including a videoboard, stadium seating, sports bar, and team store. A covered outdoor rink will support year-round events. Ownership and staff emphasize improved player development and fan experience. Current season ticket holders will receive priority access as transition details unfold throughout the 2025–26 season.

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Eight BCHL alumni earned top NCAA Division I conference awards this week, showcasing the league’s growing impact on college hockey. Standouts include Simon Labelle and Nathan Morin, who each recorded hat tricks and game-winners in ECAC Hockey. Felix Trudeau led Division I with five goals, while Ajeet Gundarah posted a .943 save percentage. Honors also went to Will Elias, Quentin Miller, Adam Eisele, and Ryan Philbrick across Atlantic Hockey, NCHC, Big Ten, and Hockey East, affirming the BCHL as a prime NCAA talent pipeline.

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Scott Munroe’s journey from SJHL standout with the Notre Dame Hounds to a respected goaltending coach in Arizona reflects a full-circle legacy in hockey development. Now Goaltending Director for the Junior Coyotes Tier 1 program, Munroe mentors players from 8U to 18U, promoting local talent and NCAA advancement. With roots in the SJHL’s character-driven environment and a decade-long pro career, he now channels his passion into shaping the next generation on and off the ice.

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The Connecticut RoughRiders will transition from the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) to the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) starting in the 2026–27 season. Under new ownership and a full franchise rebrand, the team will compete at the Sono Ice House in South Norwalk, Connecticut. This move enhances NCDC’s Southern New England presence and aligns with its mission to provide elite junior hockey development. The relocation aims to expand NCAA pathways and strengthen the region’s competitive hockey landscape.

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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