Youth hockey coaches who work with the youngest players know all too well that trying to organize a practice can be like herding cats. I became even more convinced of this after watching my soon-to-be 6-year-old nephew go through just a single one-hour practice. You’re dealing with players from all different skill levels, but usually only one energy level: overdrive.

There was about two minutes to play in the playoff game and I was pacing behind the bench anxiously, barking out whatever instructions seemed important at that very moment. You watch the game and you watch the clock in those final seconds, often at the very same time.