On Saturday, April 11, 2026, we hosted a live webinar with Coach Greg Capello, head coach at Algonquin Regional High School and owner of X3 Hockey. Over 90 minutes, Coach Cap shared candid insights about high school hockey tryouts, player development, the path to college hockey, and what really matters at the high school level.
If you missed the live session or want to revisit the conversation, the full recording is now available.
Watch the Full Webinar
This webinar was originally announced in our April 8th post.
7 Key Takeaways from Coach Greg Capello
1. Hockey IQ Beats Skill
One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation: understanding the game matters more than physical attributes.
Coach Greg emphasized that players who are “headsy” - who know positioning, make smart decisions, and understand how to play without the puck - can be effective as freshmen even if they’re smaller. These players know how to win battles, support the puck intelligently, and make the simple plays that keep their team moving forward.
The better players in youth hockey were not always the better players in high school. Being in the right place, moving the puck in smart ways, and being aggressive and winning battles are key.
For players: Focus on learning the why behind every play. Study the game. Understand systems and positioning. This knowledge translates directly to high school success.
2. Goalie Advice: Compete, Learn from Specialists, Be Patient
Coach Greg was refreshingly honest about coaching goalies: “I don’t know anything about goalies, I’ll tell you.”
His advice for goaltenders:
- Work with specialized goalie coaches - Don’t rely on skater coaches to develop goalie-specific skills
- Compete in practice - Show coaches you belong through daily effort
- Be patient for opportunities - Playing time may be limited initially, but being ready when your chance comes is everything
- Focus on puck handling - Many younger goalies struggle with confidence leaving the net and making decisions with the puck
“You just got to compete and show that you belong.”
3. Model Your Game After Smart, Responsible NHL Players
When asked which NHL player to learn from, Coach Greg didn’t point to Connor McDavid or other highlight-reel stars. Instead, he highlighted Trevor Minton (Bruins rookie) and Patrice Bergeron as ideal role models.
Why? These players:
- Play both ends of the ice responsibly
- Make great decisions with the puck
- Do the “little things” that win games
- Get trusted in critical situations because of their hockey sense
“We could all try to be Connor McDavid, but most of us aren’t going to get anywhere close to that… Model yourself after the guys who do all those little things well.”
The lesson: Master the fundamentals and smart plays that you can control. The flashy moments will come naturally when you’re in the right position.
4. Junior Hockey Is Part of the Path to College
For players with college hockey aspirations, Coach Greg was clear: junior hockey is now the standard route, even for prep school players.
The timeline typically includes:
- Playing competitive high school hockey (public or prep)
- 1-2 years of junior hockey after high school
- Then potentially college hockey
“It’s the rare player who’s gonna go straight out. I think it’s not even possible anymore.”
For families: Have realistic expectations about the timeline. Playing junior hockey isn’t a setback - it’s a normal and necessary step in development for most players pursuing college hockey.
5. Youth to High School: Expect Firmer Skills and Tougher Battles
The biggest differences from youth hockey to high school:
Skill Firmness:
- Passes are harder and more confident - “stick the puck on the target, with confidence”
- Shots have more power (though not necessarily from freshmen)
- Skating can still be a strength for freshmen who’ve worked at it
Battle Skills:
- Players are stronger and more stable on their edges
- Physical battles require better body positioning and control
- You need to be “in control of your body” and “in control of the opponent’s body”
Thinking Skills:
- Better positional awareness
- Smarter decision-making under pressure
- Communicating with your teammates
6. Tryouts: Just Be Effective in Competition
When asked what coaches look for in tryouts, Coach Greg gave the most direct answer of the webinar:
“Can you be effective in competition? That’s what we’re looking for.”
He elaborated that with so many players and limited time, coaches aren’t independently evaluating every attribute. They’re watching for:
- Players who can fill needed roles on the team
- Effectiveness in game-like situations during drills and scrimmages
- Competing hard regardless of the situation
Don’t overthink it. Show up, compete, do what you do well, and coaches will notice - if not immediately, then within the first few games.
7. Summer Development: Skills Over Games
Through X3 Hockey, Coach Greg runs skill development sessions rather than week-long camps. His philosophy:
Summer should focus on:
- Strength training
- Skill development (skating, puck handling, shooting)
- Working on fundamentals in controlled environments
Not necessarily:
- Playing endless summer league games (unless you need more puck touches)
- Week-long camps with mixed commitment levels
“You certainly play enough games to have developed what you need to develop and get what you can out of gameplay. But skill development can happen when you just break it down and you’re looking at the fine points.”
For families: Consider 1-2 focused skill sessions per week over an entire summer rather than multiple camps. Consistency and quality repetitions trump quantity.
Q&A Highlights
The second half of the webinar featured questions from players and parents. Here are some standout moments:
On smaller players making varsity: Coach Greg shared examples of players who weren’t the biggest but understood the game well enough to contribute as freshmen. The key: being in the right position, making smart passes, and playing within your abilities.
On the path after high school: Playing at a strong high school program, doing everything right along the way, and developing relationships with coaches who can recommend you to junior programs. “Rely on people who you trust to figure out where the opportunities are.”
On 8th graders playing up: Coach Greg hasn’t had experience with this at Algonquin (they have enough numbers), but acknowledged that exceptional 8th graders can have an impact. If you’re being asked to play up, “they need you.”
On different skills between youth and high school: “The firmness of those skills” - making strong passes, having better battle positioning, more strength and stability. Skating and hockey IQ can still give freshmen an advantage.
About Coach Greg Capello
Coach Greg brings a unique perspective spanning multiple levels of high school hockey:
- Current Varsity Head Coach at Algonquin Regional High School (MIAA)
- Former Prep School Coach at St. Mark’s School and Worcester Academy
- Owner of X3 Hockey - providing skills training to youth players
Learn more about X3 Hockey skill sessions at x3hockey.com.
Final Thoughts
This conversation reinforced a simple truth: high school hockey success isn’t about being the flashiest player or the biggest kid on the ice. It’s about understanding the game, competing every day, being in the right position, and making smart decisions.
Whether you’re a current youth player preparing for high school, a parent trying to understand the path, or a coach looking for validation of what matters most, Coach Greg’s insights offer a grounded, realistic perspective from someone who’s coached at every level.
Thank you to everyone who attended live, and special thanks to Coach Greg Capello for his time, honesty, and commitment to developing young players both on and off the ice.
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