Steve Forberg

"We didn't start at the top and trickle down. The opposite. We started at the bottom." USA Hockey's secret to Olympic gold? They changed their youth program FIRST. More good players come from more kids having good experiences. Why don't more sports get this?

Just because it’s D3 doesn’t mean it matters less to these kids. In fact, they paid dues in juniors hockey the Michigan/BC/BU kids never had to pay.

“You guys make it about the wins and losses. 25 years from now, I want them to pick up the phone and call me because they need me. I’m there for them.” The life of a coach is an investment in people, not just points. Build a legacy that outlasts the jersey.

It's been fun watching the discourse on this today. Something to throw into the conversation: There are tradeoffs and differences in each path. I'm a believer in the college model having lived it. But honestly we get way too caught up in "what path" and we don't talk enough about the "who" of the path. There are programs and coaches in college hockey that do a phenomenal job preparing kids for pro. There are some that don't. There are programs and coaches in the CHL that do a phenomenal job preparing kids for pro. There are some that don't. While I'm a believer in college hockey's model, if I'm an NHL team who invested a draft pick on a kid - I'm way more worried about who their coach is and what role they're playing on the team than if they play in the CHL vs. college. Mike is a great hockey guy and runs a great program in Kitchener. I'd love if my player had the opportunity to go there. There are plenty of programs like that in the CHL and others that aren't. I worked with Nar at Michigan, Schafe at Cornell, and Rico at Miami. All three programs I'd be thrilled to send a player to for developing them into a pro. There's also programs I wouldn't feel comfortable sending a kid to. It also depends on the player. Some would thrive in a CHL environment and may not in a college environment. Some would thrive in a college environment and may not in a CHL environment. And with the rules now, many will do both which I think is a huge value add to a vast majority of players in their development. Who is the coach, what resources does the program invest into development, and what is the player's role on the team? My opinion is those are way more important questions to ask than which path is better.

“I feel like it’d make that jump to the NHL a little bit more smooth. Like you see with Celebrini and those guys just hopping into the league and dominating.“ Gavin McKenna explains why he left the WHL for NCAA hockey.

One of the dirtiest plays in a long time in the OHL last night. Luke Dragusica slashes Brady Blaseg across the face, leaving him gushing blood on the ice. The kind of thing that merits a season-long suspension, or more.

I spoke with someone at the CHL who confirmed the league will not be issuing passes to NCAA coaches and scouts. To attend games they would have to purchase tickets or be given them. No restriction on scouts/personnel talking to GM's about players in CHL rosters.

Youth Hockey has gone wild…. Thinking about joining a AAA hockey club or academy? Before you write the check, here are the biggest red flags every parent and player should watch for. (A thread) 🧵