How about this... Parents who have never played hockey do me a favor. Go get some equipment and enroll in an adult learn to play program. I GUARANTEE you will never try and instruct your little bender (I mean that lovingly) on how to do -or what to do- EVER AGAIN. This sport is without a doubt the most difficult sport to play. Throw in the speed of the game as kids get older and quite frankly someone who has never played needs to shut up, and enjoy your little guy (or gal) having fun out there. Go ahead and try and play the game without seriously physically injuring yourself or your ego. Its okay to have an opinion but please never forget that you simply don't know, because you have never done. Its that simple.

Enjoy your kid playing the game, it goes by, all to fast.

If you are a parent and a loss in a PW game on Satirday morning absolutely ruins your entire weekend and causes you to mope around the rink the following week at practice....you definitely have never competed at anything at a high level In your life

I guess the point is ....... Everyone can have an opinion without actually having played the game. Matthieu Schneider played what 18 years in the NHL and his father Sam never played a minute yet he would get ice where ever he could and put both his sons through hours of skating, edge work, and puck handling drills. He coached his kids from the stands or bench and never laced up a skate. I know I saw it

They just inducted a high school coach into the US hockey hall of fame who never skated above the high school level. In the 1980's and 90's he coached 2 NHL #1 picks plus he put other players in the NHL and got numerous kids college educations. He knew how to motivate young men to push what they had to their limits and achieve what was difficult. Numerous national championships. Bill Belisle certainly got the most out of his kids

I played college hockey for a guy who played D1 hockey played in the NHL and couldn't motivate a kid to fart if the kid ate a plate full of beans. Just because you played it doesn't mean you can teach it

You can learn a lot by discussing strategies, watching the game, and by talking to coaches who know the game and how to teach skills. Just because you never played doesn't mean you can't teach it to your kids. Educate yourself and more then just taking a learn to skate program. Educate yourself properly. I played and do learn from others who have had less experience than me, more experience than me or who have never played. Lots of ideas out there some good some bad. Just sort it out yourself.

I have more experience than anyone on this board. I have been playing professional hockey since 94 and can not believe how many experts are on here!!! When Sega Genesis offered NHL 94, I immediately made the jump from pond hockey stud to NHL SuperStar! Today I am nationally ranked on NHL 17 and could coach any team in youth hockey, but would prefer not to skate.. In short, I do better yelling from the bench. I can't figure out why my sons coach refuses to listen to me.

Signed,

Jeremy Roenick

#makeGretzkybleed

Sounds like an Advantage parent

Switch to figure skating....