09/12/2026
A test score isn’t a guarantee.
A review of 20 years of hockey testing research found that a lot of on-ice tests do not reliably predict how someone actually performs in games.
We still test, because testing shows us readiness, progress, and where to focus next. But we are upfront that a number on a sheet is one input, not a promise about Saturday’s game. We coach the athlete, not just the score.
Source: Bournival et al. (2023). The Science and Art of Testing in Ice Hockey: A Systematic Review of Twenty Years of Research. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. Open access: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1252093/full