November 12th, 2026 | Interview with Cody Goloubef
For this week's Quench'd story, we interviewed Oakville Reign's U9 head coach, and former pro NHL hockey player Cody Goloubef. Cody balances a competitive environment while also keeping things fun for young kids. Leading to a lifelong appreciation of the sport both on and off the ice.
We recently designed some custom team hockey water bottles for his team and loved seeing how excited the kids were. Effortless hydration means these kids can get back out doing what they love, playing hockey!
For this week's Quench'd story, we interviewed Oakville Reign's U9 head coach, and former pro NHL hockey player Cody Goloubef. Cody balances a competitive environment while also keeping things fun for young kids. Leading to a lifelong appreciation of the sport both on and off the ice.
We recently designed some custom team hockey water bottles for his team and loved seeing how excited the kids were. Effortless hydration means these kids can get back out doing what they love, playing hockey!
We’re an Oakville-based hockey organization founded this year to give some of our local top young players the opportunity to compete at a really high level. But for us, it’s about much more than hockey.
Our mission is to help kids fall in love with the game, compete hard, learn some important life lessons and build friendships and memories that will last long after they’re done playing.
We’re an Oakville-based hockey organization founded this year to give some of our local top young players the opportunity to compete at a really high level. But for us, it’s about much more than hockey.
Our mission is to help kids fall in love with the game, compete hard, learn some important life lessons and build friendships and memories that will last long after they’re done playing.
I was fortunate enough to play professionally for 13 years, and the game gave me so much throughout my life. I had some incredible coaches growing up who genuinely cared about us as kids first and hockey players second, and that always stuck with me.
Now that I have three young boys of my own, coaching felt like a really natural way to give back and hopefully pass along some of the lessons and experiences that the game gave me.
Have fun, because it goes by incredibly fast.
When you’re young, hockey can feel like the most important thing in the world. Looking back, some of my best memories aren’t necessarily from the biggest games or biggest moments. They’re from being at the rink with my buddies, competing together and having fun. I want our kids to appreciate that while they’re actually living it.
I was fortunate enough to play professionally for 13 years, and the game gave me so much throughout my life. I had some incredible coaches growing up who genuinely cared about us as kids first and hockey players second, and that always stuck with me.
Now that I have three young boys of my own, coaching felt like a really natural way to give back and hopefully pass along some of the lessons and experiences that the game gave me.
Have fun, because it goes by incredibly fast.
When you’re young, hockey can feel like the most important thing in the world. Looking back, some of my best memories aren’t necessarily from the biggest games or biggest moments. They’re from being at the rink with my buddies, competing together and having fun. I want our kids to appreciate that while they’re actually living it.
We actually try to teach the kids that those two things aren’t opposites. Competing hard should be fun. Working hard, doing difficult things, being a great teammate and pushing yourself are all part of what makes sports so rewarding.
One quote we use a lot is, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Hockey is a great place for kids to start learning that. You can compete like crazy, want to win and still have an absolute blast doing it.
We actually try to teach the kids that those two things aren’t opposites. Competing hard should be fun. Working hard, doing difficult things, being a great teammate and pushing yourself are all part of what makes sports so rewarding.
One quote we use a lot is, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Hockey is a great place for kids to start learning that. You can compete like crazy, want to win and still have an absolute blast doing it.
Sports are an awesome vehicle for teaching kids about taking care of their bodies. From a young age, they start learning how important proper nutrition, hydration, sleep and recovery are if they want to feel and perform their best.
Hockey players always have a water bottle beside them, whether it’s at practice, a game or training. So if we’re already teaching kids to make healthy choices and properly fuel their bodies, being thoughtful about what they’re drinking out of fits naturally into that conversation. It’s another habit that can help kids become more conscious about their health and what they put into their bodies.
Probably our second hotel tournament ever!
It’s awesome seeing how excited the kids get about staying in a hotel with all their buddies, playing mini sticks in the hallways, running around and just being kids together.
Honestly, those are some of my fondest memories from growing up playing hockey. You remember the games, but you really remember the friendships, the hotels, the mini sticks and probably getting into a little bit of trouble with your teammates. Those are the memories we want these kids to have too.
The exact same thing I tell my own boys before every practice, game or session:
Work hard and have fun.
Sports are an awesome vehicle for teaching kids about taking care of their bodies. From a young age, they start learning how important proper nutrition, hydration, sleep and recovery are if they want to feel and perform their best.
Hockey players always have a water bottle beside them, whether it’s at practice, a game or training. So if we’re already teaching kids to make healthy choices and properly fuel their bodies, being thoughtful about what they’re drinking out of fits naturally into that conversation. It’s another habit that can help kids become more conscious about their health and what they put into their bodies.
Probably our second hotel tournament ever!
It’s awesome seeing how excited the kids get about staying in a hotel with all their buddies, playing mini sticks in the hallways, running around and just being kids together.
Honestly, those are some of my fondest memories from growing up playing hockey. You remember the games, but you really remember the friendships, the hotels, the mini sticks and probably getting into a little bit of trouble with your teammates. Those are the memories we want these kids to have too.
The exact same thing I tell my own boys before every practice, game or session:
Work hard and have fun.
Leave a comment (all fields required)