HOW COACHES BUILD LINES: A LOOK BEHIND THE BENCH
Every hockey parent has watched a game and wondered, “Why are these players on a line together?” It’s a great question—and one that doesn’t always have a simple answer.
Line combinations aren’t just about throwing the best players together. They’re about chemistry, strategy, development, and game flow. As someone who’s been around dressing rooms at the pro, college, junior, and minor hockey levels, I want to shed some light on how coaches make these decisions. Here’s a breakdown of what goes into building lines—and why what you see on the ice is often the product of much deeper thought than you might realize.
1. Finding Pairs
Often, coaches look for duos that naturally click. These pairs might share a great give-and-go rhythm, complement each other’s playing styles, or simply have an instinctive feel for where the other will be. Once a strong pair is found, coaches may rotate different third players through that line—either to spark chemistry or, at the younger levels, to support or “hide” a less experienced player without overexposing them.
Example: A strong puck-distributor and a natural finisher might form a deadly pair, with a third player rotated in depending on the opponent or game situation.
2. There’s Only One Puck
In Hockey, only one player can possess the puck at a time. If multiple players on a line all need the puck to be effective, they often end up stepping on each other’s toes. Instead, coaches will often spread out their "puck-dominant" players to maximize touches and create balance across lines. If these players arent getting their touches in, they will lose the feel for the game and they wont be able to play to their strengths, and that hurts the team.
NHL Insight: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper once emphasized how star players often need complementary linemates, not duplicates. That’s why you won’t always see the three “best” players together.
3. Complementary Chaos
Some combinations just work, even if they don’t make sense on paper. A big, slow power forward might thrive alongside a quick, elusive winger. Their different speeds can create space and confusion for defenders, opening up lanes that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
Why it works: The diversity of skills and pace forces defenders to adapt quickly—often leading to breakdowns and scoring chances.
4. Developing (Not Hiding) Weaker Players
In youth hockey especially, loading up one “super line” might give you short-term success—but it can leave your weaker players grouped together in tough situations. Instead, mixing weaker players with stronger ones helps them develop, builds team trust, and minimizes liability.
Coaching Principle: Spread the skill so every line can compete. That’s how you build confidence across your lineup.
5. Throw It in the Blender
Sometimes, things just aren’t working. When that happens, coaches “throw the lines in the blender.” That means completely shaking things up to spark energy or change momentum. It might last one shift or one period—or it could turn into a permanent change.
Pro Tip: Joel Quenneville was famous for this tactic with the Chicago Blackhawks, mixing lines mid-game to create a spark. It often worked.
6. The Spark Plug Player
Most teams have a guy who makes every line better—even if he’s not flashy. These players might not rack up points, but they win puck battles, go to the net, and bring energy. When a star player is slumping, sticking them with a “spark plug” can reignite their game.
Lesson for Parents: Effort, attitude, and energy matter just as much as skill. Coaches notice the “glue guys.”
7. Rewarding the Right Things
Effort, character, and consistency deserve recognition. Coaches often reward players who practice hard, show up early, and lead by example—even if they’re not the most skilled. Giving them a chance on a top line or the power play sends a powerful message to the whole team. This is something not often seen, known or understood by someone not within the inner circle of the team.
Culture Builder: Great teams are built by rewarding great teammates.
8. Accountability Through Ice Time
On the flip side, if a player isn’t buying into the team structure—even if they’re talented—they may find themselves lower in the lineup. It’s not punishment—it’s a message. Coaches need everyone pulling in the same direction. When a coach does this, often times it’s because they care about the players growth and want to help the player develop good habits not only for this current team, but for future teams they will be playing on.
Advice to Young Players: If you want more opportunity, start by being the teammate your coach can trust.
9. The Matchup Line
At higher levels, coaches use a “shutdown line” to counter the opponent’s top players. These aren’t always your best offensive players—they’re often hard-nosed, defensively responsible forwards who thrive on outworking the other team’s stars.
Strategy: You win games by scoring and by stopping the other team from scoring. Line matching is a big part of that.
10. Power Play & Penalty Kill Specialists
Some players might not be top 6 forwards or high scorers, but they excel in special teams roles. Coaches build PP and PK units with specific skill sets in mind—hands, vision, faceoff ability, stick detail, shot-blocking, etc.—that don’t always match their even-strength linemates.
Reality Check: A player's “spot” on the depth chart isn’t always a reflection of their total value.
11. Team Dynamics Matter
Finally, there are things happening off the ice—team chemistry, leadership, mentorship—that influence line decisions. Coaches talk to players constantly, observe how they interact, and make subtle changes to help team dynamics. A lot of what happens with line combos is about feel, not formulas.
FINAL THOUGHTS FOR FAMILIES
If you're watching from the stands and thinking, “Why isn’t my kid playing with ___?”—remember, there’s almost always a reason. Coaches are constantly observing, tweaking, and trying to find the best mix for the team. Every change affects every line. It’s a puzzle, not a popularity contest.
The best advice for players? Be adaptable. Bring your strengths every day. Be the guy or girl who makes every line better.
And for parents—trust the process. Line-building is one of the most important and thoughtful parts of coaching. It’s rarely random. It’s always evolving. And when done well, it’s one of the most powerful ways to bring a team together.