Just a heads up to all hockey parents. Yelling and being a dick to your kids on how they played is only going to push your kid away from you. Not bring them closer to you. Maybe they are not that good. Drop them down a level and enjoy it. It is a short ride.
OC's and heroin are coming to your town at a young age. You better be prepared.

Whoa....should parents refrain from yelling "you suck" during a game?

Is yelling "Wheels! Wheels!" repeatedly when your kid has the puck frowned upon?

Love that the OP drew a direct connection between yelling at your kid after a hockey game and Oxycontin/heroin addiction.

I know. All of those books and articles I read about pro athletes they all had the same theme of being coddled, and how their parents tying their skates and carrying their bags helped their development.

I am not saying to berate your kid, but some honest evaluation and tough love goes a long way in this sport and in life !

Op is a Viper coach just trying to be a good guy

Here is an idea. Why don't you worry about how to raise your kid, and I will worry about how to raise mine. If it doesnt pertain to you, mind your own business and stop trying to force your beliefs on everyone else. If I want to yell at my kid for being lazy, being a punk, etc, then I will and nothing you or anyone else says will ever change that and I will deal with the consequences for my actions when the time comes, not you.

A lot of kids go through periods where they will slack off when it comes to sports, homework, family chores, etc. You are pretty much obligated to point this out and get them on track. Saying nothing breeds bad habits that can affect their overall quality of life and potentially mess up their future.

It's when a kid no longer has the desire or drive for an activity that you have to tread very carefully. If you think your kid might be just playing hockey to please you he probably is and lecturing or berating him will go very badly. It's probably the hardest thing for a parent to admit their kid doesn't want to play anymore but it happens to many and the best thing you can do is support them and find something positive to fill the void.

I wonder how much angrier you are in person

is it better to be feared or loved?

Let's be real here, many early Baby Boomer parents (say up to 1980'ish) were terrible parents by humain standards. The had no idea how to raise kids and many had to actually fend for themselves on a daily basis. Yes the were good workers but they ate too much, drank too much and could care less about what their kids were up to.

The current problem is the off-spring of these parents have over-shot it the other direction. An overcompensation of involvement, interest and spending on the little angels.

Is it wrong? Time will tell. Is it hard to witness? Yes.