Who's Dream Is It Anyways?
Written by Brian van Vliet - Apr. 16, 2009
(As Seen In Hockey Now)

“He’s just living the dream vicariously through his kids”.  This phrase comes in many variations and is used by a lot of people throughout the hockey community.  It has become a catch phrase of sorts.  I’m willing to bet that most people who use it don’t really know what it means.  They heard it somewhere and thought it sounded cool.  “That guy doesn’t like the coach; he must be living his dream through his kid.” “Don’t like your association’s . . .Full Story

Spring Hockey Has Plenty of Merit
Written by Brian van Vliet - Mar. 28, 2009
(As Seen In Hockey Now)

So often we hear ex players; many who played extremely high levels of hockey say, “When I was young I did other sports in the summer.  Once hockey season ended I never touched the ice again until late August.”  Well as Bob Dylan once said “The times they are a changin’.” Although some time away from the sport in the summer months is essential, the explosion of Spring hockey over the last decade has been a factor in how the game is played at all . . .Full Story

Minor Hockey Week - Bitter Taste
Written by Brian van Vliet - Mar. 1, 2009
(As Seen In Hockey Now)

Another Esso Minor Hockey Week just concluded and once again I can only feel disappointment as opposed to the excitement one should have at what is supposed to be a highlight of the hockey season.

The Problems with Minor Hockey week - Most parents agree with me when I tell them my thoughts about how poor the supposed “double knock out” system is. First and foremost, it is not a . . .Full Story

10 Types of Hockey Parents
Written by Brian van Vliet - Feb. 1, 2009
(As Seen In Hockey Now)

There is nothing more entertaining than analyzing hockey parents at rinks across the city. Moms and Dads included, they range anywhere from passive to insane. Most of you should be able to place yourself in three or more of these categories.

Bruce Almighty - You've all seen these guys. They are the ones who volunteer for positions in the hockey community at the team or board level and talk just loud enough . . .Full Story

10 Changes Needed In Hockey
Written by Brian van Vliet - Jan. 15, 2009
(As Seen In Hockey Now)

I often find myself shaking my head in disbelief at some of the things that go on in hockey at both the minor league and professional levels.  We let 10 year old figure skaters do triple salchows (pronounced sow cow) on the ice without helmets on and then force grown men who coach hockey to wear helmets at all times.  Go figure!! In this article I have decided to pick on the NHL.  So here is my top 10 list of things that need to change in professional hockey. . . Full Story

Healy Continues Path of Negativity
Written by Brian van Vliet - Dec. 17, 2008

Glenn Healy was an NHL goalie from 1985 until 2001.  His goaltending career can be described as mediocre at best.  He was a full time back up outside of a few years on Long Island where he saw as many as 53 games one season.  He started out with the Los Angeles Kings where he garnered a fair bit of action for two seasons but was unable to post a GAA of less than 4.27. 

Healy played four seasons with the York islanders sharing . . . Full Story

Hockey World Mourns Loss of Maniago
Written by Brian van Vliet - Dec. 15, 2008  (As Seen In Hockey Now)

“Caring, honest, up front, hard working, generous and accountable”.  Those are just a few of the words long time goalie coach and friend Tyler Love used to describe Michael Maniago.  In the early hours of November 29, 2008 a tragic motor vehicle accident took our friend Michael from us at the tender age of 20.

“He was so much morer. . . Full Story

Hockey School's Must Increase Use of Error Detection
Written by Brian van Vliet - Dec. 1, 2008
 (As Seen In Hockey Now)

Picture this..

You've been sold the dream. Your kid has what it takes. All he needs is some fine tuning at (insert camp name here) and he will be able to play at a higher level. Now you run out and put your money down. The amount can range anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands for so called . . . Full Story

Women's Hockey Needs Image Overhaul
Written by Brian van Vliet - Nov. 15, 2008
 (As Seen In Hockey Now)

I am so sick and tired of women’s hockey being treated as the third class citizen in a society with only two classes.  In this week’s missive, I will outline my beefs pertaining to the treatment of women’s hockey as a whole and provide a solution that I believe is long overdue.For those of you that saw “women’s hockey” in the title of this article, and moved on to the next, you just proved my point.
At the minor league . . . Full Story

Referees and Respect
Written by Brian van Vliet - November 1, 2008  (As Seen In Hockey Now)

As a hockey community, we are constantly reminded how difficult it is to get quality referees to work games in our minor hockey system.  Numerous studies have been conducted into the abuse that referees as young as 14 years old have to endure from enraged parents and coaches.  The annual dropout rate of refs is up to the 30 or even the 40% range in some areas.  Although this armchair sports fan can’t claim to be an angel when it comes to . . Full Story

FUN in minor hockey
Written by Brian van Vliet - October 15, 2008 (As Seen In Hockey Now)

With the annual stress of hockey evaluations behind us, most minor hockey teams are getting well into their seasons with exhibition games and possibly tournaments.

As the parent of two kids in Calgary Minor Hockey, I want to share my thoughts on an issue that comes up each season.

Every year we have to endure those hideous team “parent . . Full Story