"I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." — Michael Jordan

Mental performance is about proactively managing stress, preventing burnout, and building the mental resilience needed to navigate the demands of both hockey and life.

It involves training tools and strategies — such as breathwork, focus techniques, confidence building, communication skills, and mindset routines — that help individuals stay composed, recover from mistakes, and perform consistently under pressure.

Support in this area may also include working with a certified mental performance consultant or sport psychologist to strengthen mental skills and optimize performance — whether you're skating in a championship game, coaching from the bench, officiating on the ice, or supporting your athlete from the stands.

things to add to your routines, just preparation physicality

• Visualization: Imagine successful plays before games.

• Breathing exercises: Control nerves before shifts and faceoffs.

• Reaction drills: Improve decision-making speed.

• Mindfulness training: Increase focus and awareness.

• Goal setting: Set daily, weekly, and season-long performance goal