If you’ve ever sat in the stands watching your child lace up, you know hockey is more than a sport.
It’s emotional.
It’s developmental.
It’s a family investment — financially and mentally.
And while we often focus on the obvious pieces like gear, coaching, travel, and schedules. There’s another part of a young athlete’s world that rarely gets talked about:
What’s happening in their mind, yours, and how finances can affect our emotions around the game.
That’s why I sat down with Shannon Vit, mental performance coach, hockey mom, and someone who deeply understands what our athletes face behind the scenes, and how parents make an impression. Our episode of The Financial Power Play unpacks the pressures kids are carrying, the stress parents silently shoulder, and the tools that can make the game healthier, more sustainable, and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
You can watch the full conversation here:
🔗https://youtu.be/ixIr-Zb4xvM?si=byGh3hSjF3Q7JBo5
Below are some of the biggest takeaways every hockey parent should hear.
1. Pressure Is Showing Up Earlier Than Ever, and Parents Feel It Too
Kids are experiencing pressure younger than ever before, not just to perform, but to keep up socially, physically, and emotionally.
Tryouts. Team politics. The fear of falling behind.
And meanwhile, parents are doing their own mental juggling:
- Am I doing enough for my child?
- Am I doing too much?
- Should we invest in more training?
- Can we afford another season like this?
It’s no wonder hockey families run on equal parts caffeine and adrenaline.
Shannon’s message was clear: pressure isn’t the enemy — unmanaged pressure is.
And that’s something families can prepare for.
2. Confidence Isn’t Something You “Have”, It’s Something You Build
Confidence is one of the most misunderstood parts of youth sports.
Parents often worry when confidence dips.
Athletes worry even more.
But Shannon reframed it perfectly:
Confidence is a skill, not a personality trait.
Meaning:
- It can be developed.
- It can improve with practice.
- It can return after setbacks.
She shared tools athletes can use — breathing techniques, visualization, positive routines — but she also highlighted something important for parents:
Confidence grows when kids feel supported, not judged.
Sometimes the best coaching we can give is simply asking,
“How did that feel for you?” instead of “Why didn’t you…?”
3. The Car Ride Home Matters More Than the Game Itself
If you’re a hockey parent, you already know this is where emotions flare.
The game just ended.
You’re tired.
They’re tired.
Everyone’s hungry.
But Shannon said something that every parent needs to hear:
Kids remember the feeling of the car ride home more than they remember the scoreboard.
Here’s the winning play:
- Keep it light.
- Let them lead the conversation.
- Celebrate effort, not outcome.
It’s not about avoiding tough conversations, it’s about setting the right time for them.
4. Hockey Parents Need Support Too - Emotionally and Financially
This episode wasn’t just about the mindset of young athletes.
It was also about the reality parents live with:
- early mornings
- financial strain
- emotional investment
- balancing life around a sport you love
Shannon and I talked about how parents often put themselves last — mentally, financially, and emotionally.
But…
A thriving athlete starts with a supported parent.
And that includes the financial side of hockey.
A stable, predictable financial plan reduces the stress on parents, stress that our kids often absorb from us — yes, they notice more than we think.
That’s why conversations like this matter.
5. Raising a Resilient Athlete Isn’t About Shielding Them — It’s About Equipping Them
Shannon’s core message was powerful:
Your child doesn’t need a perfect path. They need the tools to navigate an imperfect one.
Resilience doesn’t come from winning. It comes from:
- setbacks
- tough losses
- mistakes
- trying again
- support systems
- perspective
Hockey is a lifelong classroom, and parents play the biggest role in shaping how kids learn from it.
Watch the Full Episode
This conversation is packed with insights that every hockey family — from new U7 parents to seasoned AAA veterans — will relate to.
🎧Watch the episode here:
👉https://youtu.be/ixIr-Zb4xvM?si=byGh3hSjF3Q7JBo5
If the conversation sparked questions about how to support your child through the mental or financial demands of the game, I’m always here to talk through strategies that fit your family’s needs.