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In hockey, as in any sport, coaches share many similarities. No matter the level, everyone wants to win. After all, victory makes the game more enjoyable for everyone involved. However, in minor hockey, some coaches prioritize winning too much, even at the rep level. The coach’s primary role is to develop young players, and sitting them on the bench—or “shortening the bench,” as it’s called—doesn’t achieve that goal.
Every coach aims to get the most out of their players. They expect goalies to make saves, defensemen to defend and execute zone exits, and perhaps even contribute offensively. Forwards are expected to generate offense and support the defense when the opposition has the puck. Coaches differ, however, in their strategies and approaches to achieve these goals.
Martin St-Louis’ Approach
Martin St-Louis brings a refreshing approach to coaching, and his players seem to appreciate it. He claims not to use a “system,” but that’s not entirely accurate. He does have a structure, especially when the team doesn’t have the puck. However, he gives his forwards the freedom to rely on their offensive instincts—the very skills that got them to the NHL in the first place.
My Coaching Philosophy
Personally, I find my coaching philosophy more aligned with St-Louis than, say, Jacques Lemaire or Jacques Martin. I’ve never believed in rigid systems or traps. I’ll share a few of my strategies, some of which may resonate with St-Louis’ or other NHL coaches. I’ll skip aspects specific to minor hockey, like ensuring more even ice time distribution.
Offensive Freedom for Forwards
While I never believed in strict systems, we worked on various defensive zone breakouts, focusing on positioning and decision-making between defensemen and forwards. Getting the puck out of your zone is crucial—the less time spent in your own zone, the better your chances of winning. I also favoured a two-man forecheck but emphasized keeping one player high. Things have evolved since my minor hockey days, where we were taught to divide the ice lengthwise into three “corridors.”
Aside from breakouts and keeping a man high, the only other times I insisted on structure were during special teams. On the power play, I used my most skilled players, and to keep them fresh, I mostly used third and fourth line players for penalty kills. Both units needed to understand how to pass under pressure on the power play and how to cut passing lanes on the penalty kill.
Defensemen on Their Natural Side
One of my core beliefs is that defensemen should play on their natural side: right-handed players on the right, left-handed players on the left. Here’s why:
- In the defensive zone:
- Playing on their forehand allows for quicker, more accurate passes and better puck plays.
- Defensively, their stick position helps guide opponents toward the boards, where the higher hand is toward the middle of the ice.
- When skating backwards with an opponent skating towards him with the puck, the stick is in the middle of the ice, to not only cut passes but guide the offensive player towards the boards. Even when pivoting (towards the boards if the player tries to beat him), the stick is still in position to cut a potential pass
- In the offensive zone:
- It’s easier for them to keep the puck in play along the boards, leading to quicker shots and dump ins or harder and more accurate cross-ice passes.
- Easier lateral movement along the blue line with the puck, coming from the boards, providing more options on the forehand.
- In the neutral zone:
- On his strong side, a defenseman receives passes on his forehand, which allows for easier reception and more strength when passing it to a teammate
- Easier to protect the puck with his body from forecheck as he skates along the boards
I wish I had a video to demonstrate, but the benefits of this approach are clear.
Pinching Defensemen
I’ve always encouraged defensemen to skate with the puck if they see open ice. If no teammate is open ahead, take what’s given. I’m also a fan of defensemen joining the rush, but timing is crucial. This is why I preferred Shea Weber’s controlled support as the third or fourth man in, compared to PK Subban’s riskier end-to-end rushes. As a defenseman rushes the puck, it forces the forwards to stop skating (not to get offside), often rendering the rushing defenseman without support when he’s entered the zone. Further, in the event of a turnover, not everyone is caught “flat-footed”.
Managing the game is essential, making decisions based on factors like the score, time left, and game context. A pinching defenseman who gets caught up ice should be the hardest backchecker.
Shot Blocking
A pet peeve of mine is defensemen acting like goaltenders. There’s already a guy in net fully equipped to stop pucks—the goalie. When defensemen block shots, they gamble, often with poor odds. Risks include:
- Blocking the goalie’s view
- Deflecting the puck
- Leaving an opponent open for rebounds
- Injuries that can sideline them or affect their play
With proper positioning and an active stick, defensemen can block passing lanes and cover opponents, ensuring fewer rebound chances. Shot blocking has its place, but I prefer defensemen who block fewer shots and rely on positioning. Forwards, on the other hand, can block shots more freely, as they are usually higher in the zone, giving the goalie more time to react.
Discipline
When I watch today’s Canadiens, I often shake my head at their penalties—many of which are avoidable. I had zero tolerance for “lazy penalties” like slashing, hooking, or tripping, where players relied on their sticks instead of skating. Even coaching girls’ hockey, I emphasized body positioning and using angles to force opponents into low-percentage areas.
There was no room for selfish or retaliatory penalties either. The more energy you waste killing penalties, the less time you have in a game to attack, playing a puck possession game.
Positive Reinforcement
It’s inspiring to see how Martin St-Louis stays positive, even when his team struggles. That doesn’t mean he never gets mad at his players—his approach is deliberate. Coaches must be good motivators and communicators, especially in today’s culture of entitlement, where effort isn’t always matched by rewards.
As a coach, I followed a simple rule: be critical, but always end with a positive note. I would immediately provide feedback on plays while still on the bench. I always pointed out something positive as well—a tap on the back, a word of encouragement—and moved on. This approach worked wonders.
Practices
I strongly believe that you play as you practiced. My practices focused on high tempo, conditioning, and frequent puck touches. Players needed to be comfortable with the puck as otherwise, they will treat it like a hot potato. I wasn’t a big fan of bag-skating, though I used it when necessary. My players left the ice having worked up a sweat.
Hard Work
If you asked opposing coaches or my former players about facing my teams, they’d all say we were hard-working and tough to play against. I believe that while you may be out-skilled, there’s no excuse for being outworked. The saying “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” holds true, both in games and practice.
One of my favourite tools was the mirror analogy. I’d ask players to imagine looking in a mirror and ask themselves if they gave their best effort. If the answer was “yes,” no one could ask for more. If “no,” then others had a right to expect more.
At year-end gatherings, I’d give each player a magnetic mirror with our team logo and the quote: “Did I give my very best?” It was a life lesson that applied not only to hockey, but also to school, work, and relationships.
Conclusion
Whether you’re coaching minor hockey or at the NHL level, there are many similarities. While some coaches, like Jacques Lemaire, rely on rigid systems, others, like St-Louis, focus on letting players enjoy the game. Hockey, after all, is a game, and it should be fun. Despite some tough seasons, you can see that the Canadiens’ players are enjoying themselves, especially after changes to the leadership group.
With that being said, I feel like St-Louis does lack NHL coaching experience and that the Canadiens must provide him help, via an experienced mentor behind the bench, to solidify the team’s defensive coverage without the puck.
The NHL isn’t a place to change a player’s style. I remember when goalie coach Roland Melanson tried to change Carey Price’s style early in his career, and it backfired. At that level, players need to rely on their instincts—what got them to the NHL—rather than overthinking their game.
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