A seasoned hockey coach reflects on the strategic decision to allocate ice time to players who may not always dominate the game but bring critical value to team dynamics. Drawing from his experience with professional and developmental teams, the author examines how thoughtful playing time can shape player confidence, team chemistry, and overall performance. The piece offers insights into balancing skill, effort, and intangibles when constructing a lineup, making it essential reading for coaches, players, and fans invested in the sport’s tactical nuances.

In this edition, Craig Johnson, a former assistant with the Anaheim Ducks and Ontario of the American Hockey League, and development coach with the Los Angeles Kings, writes about giving ice time to ...