If Hockey is 90% Mental and The Other Half Is Physical, why do we Primarily Train the Other Half?

“The game is 90% mental and the other half is physical.”It’s a funny line — but ask any coach, and they’ll nod in agreement.

Mental toughness. Resilience. Confidence. Focus. Every hockey player needs them.Yet when we look at how most players train, 90% of their time is spent on the physical side — skills, systems, gym work, video — and almost nothing is invested into training the part of the game that matters most under pressure: the mind.

So what’s holding hockey back?

The Gap Between What We Preach and What We Practice

Here’s what I’ve seen:

🔸 You can’t measure mindset.We track stats, shifts, and shot clocks — but the mental side of the game doesn’t show up on the scoresheet.

🔸 Mental training still has a stigma.Some people still see it as something to use when something’s wrong, instead of what it really is: sharpening a competitive edge.

🔸 Resources are tight.Ice time, budgets, and calendars are already full. Coaches and players aren’t against mental training — they just don’t know where to fit it in.

Hoc key Is 90% Mental

But here’s what happens when you make it a priority…

Case Study #1: From Frozen to Flowing

A D1 women’s player came into her freshman year overthinking every shift. High expectations. Paralysis by analysis. Her confidence was melting.

After just six weeks of customized mental performance work — including visualization, journaling, and pre-performance routines — she found her game again. Her minutes went up. Her impact followed. She didn’t change her skillset — she changed her mindset.

Case Study #2: U16 Team Culture Shift

This AAA team was loaded with talent but couldn’t finish tight games. They lacked emotional control and grit.

We implemented a weekly mental performance session — 20 minutes of lessons, reflection, and tools like self-talk reframes and pressure management. Within two months, their body language shifted, leadership emerged, and they won back-to-back OT playoff games.

Case Study #3: A Pro-Level Reset

An AHL defenseman struggling with consistency was on the bubble. Mentally checked out. Emotionally drained.

Through identity work, breath training, and shift resets, he restored his confidence and locked in on controllables. That season, he posted a career-best plus-minus and became a locker room leader.

The Edge No One Is Talking About

Mental toughness is a trainable skill — just like skating or shooting.And those who commit to it gain a real advantage:

✅ They perform under pressure

✅ They recover faster from mistakes

✅ They don’t let emotions dictate decisions

✅ They grow into leaders others trust

Want your athletes to stop choking in big moments and start showing up when it counts?

Train what actually moves the needle — their mind.

Let’s build your players from the inside out.– Rob PallanteFounder | Mindset Body Bank

Instagram: @mindsetbodybank📩 Book a call: www.mindsetbodybank.com