CALGARY, AB – Eighteen coaches and development staff from Finland arrive in Calgary this week for a unique 10-day development exchange between Hockey Canada and the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation from October 3-12.
The Finnish delegates will spend three days in Calgary taking part in off-ice presentations and workshops with Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta personnel before spending four days at practical placements throughout Alberta, working with Western Hockey League (WHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) teams, as well as local minor hockey associations and Hockey Canada Skills Academy Programs.
The placement sites include:
Calgary
Lethbridge
Medicine Hat
Okotoks
Olds
Red Deer
Sherwood Park
Spruce Grove
“This is a unique opportunity to take what we have learned and share it with the Finnish delegates, as well as learn from them,” says Paul Carson, Hockey Canada’s director of development. “We are excited about this partnership with the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation and the possibilities it holds for all involved.”
This is the first of a four-year partnership between Hockey Canada and the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation. Finnish delegates will visit Canada again in 2010, while Hockey Canada will be identifying coaching leaders from across Canada to travel to Finland in 2009 and 2011.
Through the practical placements, the Finnish delegates will be exposed to Canadian hockey at a wide variety of levels – Junior A, Major Junior, senior women’s, college and university, as well as all levels of minor hockey.
Along with shadowing the club team personnel, the Finnish delegates will also make presentations to the minor hockey associations and Hockey Canada Skill Academy programs, allowing the Finnish coaches to get a first hand look at the Canadian hockey system and to share their expertise and exchange ideas with the local hockey representatives. |
