Travis McMillan

Ex Hockey Coach, Provincial champ, Innisfail eagle

[Travis McMillan @coachTM89]

💛💚

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

Thoughts on Team Canada at World Juniors:

There's been a lot of discourse today about Canada's performance after bowing out to Czechia again. I've read a lot about roster construction, team toughness, how players were used during the tournament, and other things related to the team's inability to get the job done.

These things may have been an issue, but reality is the problem runs way deeper.

Here is the biggest thing that people aren't talking about:

Canada has WAY fewer youth boys playing hockey than it did a decade ago.

Looking at Hockey Canada registration and membership data, it's mind-boggling to see the numbers.

And the numbers in the biggest provinces (Ontario and Quebec) are especially egregious.

So why is this happening? Hockey is Canada's sport. It shouldn't be like this.

It's what we hear every day from families all over North America:

Costs are too high. It's professionalized at too young of an age. The stress of the youth hockey experience is too much for kids and families.

Community programs have been replaced by for-profit entities leading to higher costs and more pressure. Development has been replaced by super teams and rogue/outlaw leagues outside of Hockey Canada even before kids are 8 years old. At the older ages, hockey academies have become what families believe is the only way their kids will make it - shelling out INSANE amounts of money to send their kids to do so.

Ontario just got rid of residency rules which will only lead to less accountability and more club-hopping than there already was in the nation's craziest and biggest youth hockey market.

The reason why Canada was the hockey superpower for so long is because it was part of the fabric of the country. There was such a pride and passion for the game and what the game meant to the flag. There was such a sense of playing the game for something bigger than yourself.

Now rather than playing for the love of the game, hockey in Canada is like a job for many of these kids in the environment they're being put in. It's less about pride and passion and more about the path to making it. When in all honesty, it's the pride and passion for the game that is the biggest consistency in the kids that do end up making it.

If Canada wants to restore its hockey dominance, it better take a long look in the mirror at the grassroots and what is going on in youth hockey. If you have tens of thousands of fewer boys playing the game, you should probably look at that first. The bigger your pool of athletes, the more elite athletes you can develop.

"As many as possible, for as long as possible, in the best environment possible". That has to be the guiding principle.

There's a lot of great people in Canada doing incredible things for the game, but the system itself is fundamentally broken. If Hockey Canada is serious about getting back to the top, it has to start at the bottom.

[Travis McMillan @coachTM89]

Real hot take here. I think CBJ stadium series tarps and color scheme are dirt nasty and need to become their active thirds, with an option as a white for a revers retro

[4Vengeance Media @4vengeancemedia]

Our thoughts are with the Airdrie Stars. They are taking part in the @JrProspectsHL showcase this weekend with heavy hearts.

Airdrie lost coach Tyler McLean this week. A moment of silence was held in his honour today.

[Andrew Brewer @Abrew2014]

An Absolute Defensive Clinic on Canada 2nd Goal!!!!

Great Defense by all 5 players leads to quick transition offense and a back door goal

From Defensive gap to forwards working on reload, Canada is ready to play!

Made in Studio by @Hudl

[Travis McMillan @coachTM89]

@Morgan_C_Ross my father was born and raised here, left before the town was abandoned. I still enjoy hearing stories about this place.

[Glass and Out Podcast @GlassandOutPod]

🎙️New Episode🏒
@MRUmhockey Head Coach Bert Gilling on:

- Designing an optimal practice
- Two-way communication
- Mentorship in youth hockey
+ Much more

Apple: https://t.co/AA9WbOGMhO
Spotify: https://t.co/ns2ttgKGys

Presented by @StateAndLiberty

[Marian University Sabres @MUSabres]

Alex Mandolidis has been introduced as an assistant coach for the @MU_Mens_Hockey program after a long coaching career in Canada! #FightBlueFight

https://t.co/Fs8SQAQmUM

[(SEBASTIAN AHO IS A STANLEY CUP CHAMPION) @sebihinet]

the finnish florida panthers players called one of the most popular morning radio shows two days in a row while completely hammered 😂 (subtitled)

[Travis McMillan @coachTM89]

Few of the boys I had the privilege of coaching from my tour with the buffs circa 21-22. Taking Bronze @ tellus cup.
Congrats to Svenny, O, Murr, Killer, Greener, Dobbs and DC on one hell of a season

[Missin Curfew @MissinCurfew]

The @aaabuffs went full paparazzi after taking home the Bronze at the Telus Cup

Have fun and love the game fellas!

[North Dakota Hockey @UNDmhockey]

One of the greatest players to ever don the green and white, we were honored to welcome back 2007 Hobey Baker Award winner and captain Ryan Duncan for "One More Shift" last Saturday!

#UNDproud | #LGH | @rduncan16

[Travis McMillan @coachTM89]

@MattSchully8 @UWSPMhockey SCHULLLLY 🤙

[Bonnyville Pontiacs @BPontiacs]

Hey we know that guy!! @tjmillar_ still making us proud!

[TSN @TSN_Sports]

#NHLJets Nate Schmidt's defensive numbers for expected goals against are near the top of the league.

He explains why he takes pride in those stats. 👀

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

COACHES: If you want to play aggressive with your D down the wall in the offensive zone, it's massively important that you have a great F3.

Here is a great example from FLA - Ekblad gets down the wall tight and above the winger creating the turnover while Reinhart backs him up as F3 in the middle.

Offensively in these situations, by being aggressive with your D you keep so many more pucks in the zone extending your ozone time. The D gapped hard on the opposing winger either takes away that option or creates a turnover if that winger is passed the puck. And often...it's F3 that becomes open after the turnover as you see with Reinhart on this play.

Defensively, a great F3 limits the opposing team from getting odd-man rushes the other way.

I love the aggressiveness this structure provides a team - it's a great identity tactic for teams that want to be hard to play against. Great job here by FLA!!

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

KIDS - These 5 habits helped @JeffLoVecchio achieve his dream of playing professional hockey

1. Always move your feet
2. Shoot everything
3. Stick pressure/body all over the ice
4. Go to the net and stop
5. Communication

The best players in the world all have an identity. And with that identity, there are specific things you do on the ice that make you successful.

This exercise from Vechs is something all players should do.

What is your identity?

And what things can you do every day to play your best to that identity?

If you want to hear more about this, check out or latest podcast.

🎙️: https://t.co/8hfYsS4yk9

[Travis McMillan @coachTM89]

this is absolutely electric

[Missin Curfew @MissinCurfew]

National League Poison Intro tonight on @HockeyNight in Canada

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

KIDS: Sometimes a passing lane isn't there so you need to put the puck where your teammate is going to be. Here are two unreal "area passes" that lead to goals. By putting the puck into an area where they can skate into it you can negate good gaps or defensive sticks. Great job!

[College Hockey Inc. @collegehockey]

Thank you, Alberta, for the hospitality throughout the week. Much appreciation to the @TheAJHL for hosting us. There are 108 Alberta men playing NCAA DI hockey this year – the most ever!

🔗: https://t.co/DmB2REgNGD

[College Hockey Inc. @collegehockey]

It’s Alberta Week at College Hockey Inc.! We’re thrilled to be in Okotoks and Sherwood Park for a pair of live events.

Read about the record number of Albertans playing NCAA Division I men’s hockey.

🔗: https://t.co/DmB2REgNGD

Cale Makar photo courtesy UMass Athletics.