A former NHL development coach reflects on the strategic importance of ice time in youth hockey, arguing that equal playing opportunities for young players may not always be the best approach. Drawing from his experience with professional teams, he explains how selective distribution of ice time can shape skill development and team performance. The piece challenges conventional wisdom on fairness in practice, advocating instead for a focus on maximizing player growth through targeted playing opportunities. Coaches and parents of young athletes may find his perspective on balancing fairness with developmental goals particularly thought-provoking.

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 ...