2025 is coming to an end today and there have been a lot of news stories and analysis on players and leagues by a lot of people this year. I want to end this year with two simple messages for the readers of this blog. There is nothing introspective or profound about these two messages, but I think there needs to be a significant change when it comes to hockey. I say that because no matter what article from what year I read on this blog, the changes needed to make hockey better are happening at glacial speeds. As I think about that, here are the two messages I’ll take with me into 2026 to try to make hockey better. The only way this sport gets better is through better communication, more transparency, more accountability and the understanding that this game has miles to grow. It can be better if we make it better.As I sit in the stands, I hear many parents wondering out loud why their child doesn’t play more minutes. That’s a question parents should have every right to ask, and coaches should tell those parents the honest truth. Don’t sugarcoat anything in the answer, because clear communication and transparency builds trust. Parents need to understand that coaches set standards for their teams, and it is up to the players and parents to meet those standards. All of this needs to be communicated clearly so that all players and parents understand what is expected, and parents need to hold coaches accountable by demanding that transparency. The ‘why’ must be clear.
This is done through the organizers and officials of the competition. I’m not advocating that people accuse organizers of having an ulterior motive, but if something is wrong or unclear, questions should be asked. At a time when social media was supposed to bring people closer together, speaking politely to each other is now the biggest obstacle to communication. To make teams and competitions function better, communication is the most important ingredient.
Again, if you get an answer that you don’t like or is unclear, ask for clarification. Coaches must be able to provide this effectively. They are coaches after all, so instructions should be clear.
Coaches, when you get a question you don’t like, don’t just shut down the person asking the question and walk away angry. Ask for clarification. Give direct, honest answers. You need that support to be successful!
I know it’s easy to text people because everyone has a cell phone, but communication improves through personal contact. Let’s make that the norm for 2026 when it comes to interactions between people.
On December 31, 1995, Bill Watterson published his latest Calvin & Hobbes comic strip before he retired. He owns all rights to the comic below, but I wanted to post it because of the important message he wrote.
The core of Calvin’s message to Hobbes is that this is a new year with all kinds of possibilities. Of course, it’s likely that Calvin and Hobbes will still have the same adventures, but the point is that the slate has been wiped clean. I hope hockey fans of all ages will do the same.There’s no doubt that the NHL gets the majority of the TV time when it comes to televised hockey in North America, but there are so many good leagues and players that people aren’t watching that really deserve some extra attention. I’m also not just talking about professional hockey, but amateur and minor hockey in and around the cities in which we live. It’s time to explore!
In 2024, I had my first opportunity to attend both an OHL game and an ECHL game, and I would go again if there was a team in either league near me. Many hockey fans lamented the loss of the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice when they left, and I understand that because it was fun hockey that you could go and watch for a relatively cheap price. Most major cities in Canada have U SPORTS men’s and women’s hockey teams, but virtually no one attends those games. Even some of the major minor hockey tournaments often feature rising stars. Why don’t we embrace this more? We should!
During the Female World Sport School Challenge alone, I had the privilege of watching Aerin Frankel, Jade Iginla, Sarah Potomak, Halli Krzyzaniak, Hannah Miller, Alexis Paddington and Logan Angers all skate for their respective high school teams before moving on to the NCAA and into the professional ranks. Watching these women play as teenagers before fans wore their names on jerseys is something I cherish, and I feel fortunate to have seen them play in that developmental era of their careers before they became stars.
I sat next to a woman in Sudbury who told me how important the Wolves were to her because she “doesn’t have to be a millionaire to have season tickets to watch good hockey.” As we cross paths with Fiona Quinn, you can see how important Indiana Tech hockey and the Fort Wayne Komets are to her when it comes to fueling her passion for the game. Speaking with Courtney Kollman, it is easy to see that her talent has taken her places like Switzerland and Spain, but she is not pursuing a PWHL career because she loves all the benefits that come with playing in Europe. None of these women talked about the NHL.
What I’m getting at is that there’s more passion and less cutthroat the further you get from the NHL. Don’t get me wrong, the NHL will always be there as it is a multi-billion dollar industry in its own right, but I think many hockey fans and people would benefit from a change of perspective every now and then to understand why the game of hockey is more important than the hockey business. Amateur, minor and European hockey are the first. The NHL is the latter.
In delivering these two simple messages, they work hand in hand: be present and explore. Far too often, I find myself in a routine that feels more like a rut when it comes to life, and I need a break from that monotony to regain my sanity. This is why HBIC doesn’t analyze advanced stats and NHL games here on a daily basis – it would drive me completely crazy. Or, according to some, just a little crazier.
Instead, I like to go to events, matches and tournaments, and 2026 offers me a number of opportunities to do that. The Female World Sport School Challenge is back, and I will be attending those competitions. There will be an exciting sled hockey competition in March, which I will be attending. There may even be a greater opportunity in April if all the stars align.
What I’m saying is that 2026 is a year where I plan to be more present and explore more. And when it comes to being there, that might also mean talking to you at an event after you’ve explored. Thanks for reading all year, folks, and have a safe, fun, and memorable New Year’s Eve as we get ready for fun in 2026!
Until next year, stay on the ice!
#year