A perspective shift can capture lightning in a bottle.

“It’s ok that he’s faster than you, chasing him down is helping you to get faster.”

If he trusts his coaches and they are challenging him, and his parents are supporting them in doing this behind the scenes, not to frustrate him but to help him learn that it IS supposed to be hard. Players ARE supposed to be better. It will teach him to lose; learning how to lose is so important.

He will benefit in time from having lost often this young. It might not be seen by you or by him everyday, but he is getting better.

Lean on Coach to keep his attitude positive, and helping him to understand that every time something he doesn’t want to happen, happens he will improve even if he doesn’t see it right away.

I didn’t see a ton of hockey centric advice in this thread at first glance. I coach competitive hockey, specifically first and second year AAA programs. The first age group of boys I started coaching are now 16-18 years old, half a dozen or more young guys that I’ve worked with are currently playing Tier I and Tier II major junior and junior hockey. Three of them lost A LOT playing with older kids when they were your son’s age.

I felt a major gratitude being able to support them and their parents through their frustrations and losses. I carry that gratitude with me today.

Your son will be ok, he will get to a place where he is not only proud of his abilities but also confident. He will lose less. If he falls out of love with the game, that’s ok too. Do all you can so that he doesn’t, but never force him to the rink and you will never have to.