“Is my kid where they’re supposed to be?”

It’s one of the most common questions we hear—and this week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Christie, and Mike break it all down with a level-headed, age-by-age guide to youth hockey development.

Whether your player is just learning to stand on skates or preparing for juniors, this episode helps you understand what skills are appropriate right now, what’s coming next, and how to support your child’s journey without rushing the process.

🏒 In this episode, we explore:

✅ Benchmarks for each age group—from U6 to U18

✅ How hockey IQ and habits grow alongside physical skills

✅ What to really look for in your child’s development

✅ The role of parents in keeping the game fun and productive

If you’ve ever wondered, “Are we behind?” or “What should we focus on next?”—this episode is for you.

Because in youth hockey, the goal isn’t just skating faster or scoring more. It’s building skills, confidence, and love for the game—step by step.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 5:35 6U hockey: Organized chaos and fun
• 11:50 8U hockey: Skating with purpose
• 18:09 10U hockey: Golden age of learning
• 31:38 12U hockey: Hockey IQ starts here
• 36:37 14U hockey: Strength meets strategy
• 47:43 16U/18U hockey: It's a lifestyle
• 1:01:32 Closing thoughts on youth hockey development

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime?

Check out our companion blog: A Parent’s Guide to Youth Hockey Development

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