By Anne-Marie Lafave, Hockey Canada, Coordinator - Development /
Hockey Canada, the official national governing body for ice hockey in Canada, is a world leader in youth development resources. The Hockey Canada Skills Development Manuals are user-friendly teaching curriculum for practices throughout the hockey season. The manuals are meant to be a guide for coaches, allowing them the flexibility to make adjustments to meet the needs of their players and team. Each manual comes complete with four sets of six lesson plans, each with its own goals and objectives. All drills are professionally illustrated and carefully detailed to assist the coach in understanding the concepts for each lesson. The manuals are available in eight editions: Initiation, Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, Goaltender, and Half Ice.
Another great resource for coaches is the “Team Canada Skills of Gold” DVD set. This set of eight DVD’s breaks down the primary skills for coaches and players in a clear and easy-to-follow format. The series is designed to enhance the skills of hockey players of all ages and skill levels.
The series features over six hours of educational footage and focuses on a variety of skills: skating, puck control, checking, team play, and off-ice training techniques.
In December of 2008, Hockey Canada launched its fifth version of their Development Guide CD-ROM. The CD-ROM provides Hockey Canada Development information in a user-friendly multimedia format that contains presentations, videos and drills. This resource puts an emphasis on development programs and resources, further expanding on the resources of the Hockey Canada website. This CD is a must for Minor Hockey Associations, coaches, parents and players alike.
Hockey Canada’s most valuable resource is the Hockey Canada Regional Centres. The Centres provide Hockey Canada with a direct link to the hockey community through research, seminars, clinics, and initiation activities for hockey’s newcomers. The goal of the Centres is dedicated to improving hockey and to play a leading role in the research and development of the game.
Hockey Canada’s four Regional Centres are as follows:
• Hockey Canada Regional Centre West (Calgary, AB) – Serving Hockey North, Hockey Alberta, Hockey BC, Saskatchewan Hockey Association, and Hockey Manitoba.
• Hockey Canada Regional Centre Ontario (Toronto, ON) – Serving Hockey Northwestern Ontario, Ottawa District Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation
• Hockey Canada Regional Centre Quebec (Montreal, QC) – Serving Hockey Quebec.
• Hockey Canada Regional Centre Atlantic (Saint John, NB) – Serving Hockey New Brunswick, Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey PEI, and Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador.
For access to any of the above materials, or for more information on any Hockey Canada development resources, please contact your local Hockey Canada Regional Centre, or visit www.hockeycanada.ca. |
