I guess my son has been really lucky so far in his spring league career (2007 birth year). Same coach for both seasons, and he rotates the kids evenly. Losing, winning, short handed, or on the power play, all three lines rotate evenly. He has juggled lines to try to minimize any weakness. However, we have had a realatively easy spring season so far going 18-1 and winning the ONE hockey tournament in Calgary, Thrive tournament in Olds, and the Alberta Champions Cup. I know that another age group in the same program has a coach who is shortening the bench, with little results, and the parents are not happy. Even though spring hockey is unsanctioned, it is a business. Teams want to win, however, if a coach is a complete jerk, the owner of the program has to be mindful of returning customers. And I have already heard some parents with very strong kids saying they will not play for that coach, ever.
As for minor hockey? Red Deer Minor Hockey has a fair play rule in place. Every kid is supposed to get equal playing time no exceptions. So far, on all my son's teams, that has been the case in all situations. And his team won the city championship this year. Championship game was a little dicey at times with one particular weak player on the ice (bad attitude and lack of effort, not lacking in ability). We also had the best player in the city on his team, his shift was no longer than the worst kid on the team (usually paired together on defense).
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