Coaching her daughter got Trula Seaward back into hockey and she’s enjoying every minute of it.

Growing up in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, Seaward played the game throughout the 1990s when she was one of the only women’s hockey players in her small community.

“It was very unheard of in my community when I played,” Seaward says. “I have a strong hockey background and played right through university.”

She eventually turned her focus from playing hockey to her career as a nurse and then starting her family.

When her daughter was 18 months old, Seaward put her on skates for the first time—and she loved it.

“Of course, I wanted her to be a hockey player just like me. When she was four, we enrolled her in hockey in Port aux Basques,” Seaward says. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved again. You don’t realize how much you miss it until you take some time away from it.”

It all came full circle for Seaward when her daughter’s U7 Timbits program needed help on the ice during practices.

“When she started with the U7 program, I went on the ice more as a helper. There were some great coaches on the ice with me,” she says. “They showed me the ropes, how to run practices and how to build a positive relationship with the kids, because the more positive your relationship, the more the kids tend to respond to you.”

Seaward stayed behind the bench with her daughter’s teams, moving up to the U11 program where she currently coaches both the minor and girls' programs with Port aux Basques Minor Hockey.

One of the moments that cemented her decision to continue coaching was at a U13 girls’ provincial championship that took place in Port aux Basques two years ago.

“[A team] had a female coach, but the coach’s daughter got really sick during the first game of the tournament. Being certified to be on the bench, they asked me to help,” she explains. “I couldn’t see these girls forfeit, so I said I’d do it.”

As nervous as she was, Seaward helped lead that team to a provincial championship, winning all five games.

“I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t really know what I was doing, and I felt totally out of place,” she says. “When I walked into that dressing room, I was so intimidated, but we won, and it was probably one of the most rewarding weekends I’ve had.”

Seaward continues to be the head coach for the U11 rep team and still volunteers with the other minor programs. She also helps with her son’s team and other divisions needing support, and is the director of female operations for Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador.

“That tournament was my turning point. From that moment forward, I decided that I would keep on coaching,” she says. “It was a wonderful experience because it built my confidence and I’ve grown so much in that area.”

Getting back into the game in a different capacity revived not only her love for hockey, but it also brought a different kind of joy—watching the growth of the kids she coaches.

“For me, it’s just having the opportunity to be a part of the kids’ lives and trying to have a positive impact on them,” she says. “It’s not about the goals or saves, it’s the personal growth I get to witness in these kids. I think what I love about coaching the most is getting to pass on what the game has given to me.”

In Port aux Basques—with a population of just over 3,500—the growth of women’s hockey has taken off in recent years. Without girls playing in several of the minor divisions, they wouldn’t exist.

With the introduction and growth of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), young girls now see actual opportunities to go after their hockey dreams.

“We see the PWHL and a woman coach in the National Hockey League now. My little girl said she wants to play in the PWHL, but her back up plan is to be a coach,” Seaward says. “There was none of that when I was growing up. This generation of women’s hockey players are finally realizing there is no limit—you can be a coach, a referee, a trainer or a player.”

Being able to see women in roles throughout hockey also starts at the grassroots level—something Seaward is very aware of and willing to lead the way in her community.

“It is so important, and the girls love having a woman coach—they are more comfortable, and they can spread their wings, find their confidence and their comfort. They can just be themselves,” she says.

Not only has Seaward been honoured in her own community for her involvement and giving back to the game, but she was also recently announced as the national winner of the BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award in the Community category.

“When they told me I won, I was quite shocked,” she says. “It’s pretty special to me and I’m very honoured.”

The accolades are nice, but Seaward hopes this personal achievement will provide a boost to the growth of hockey in Port aux Basques and other communities by showing girls and women that they belong and can dream big.

“I think it’s just so important not only for my community to see that, but it’s an opportunity to grow women’s hockey.”

Coaching was always a natural fit for Karissa Kirkup.

The Brandon, Manitoba, native was interested in becoming a teacher when she was younger, so she decided to get involved in coaching to gain experience working with kids.

“I think I’ve always enjoyed the connection with people. Through my experiences as a player, I’ve always really enjoyed and learned so many life lessons through the game of hockey,” says the 29-year-old Kirkup, who was named the national recipient of the BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award in the Competitive category. “I always loved giving back to the game that gave me so much.”

Now a Grade 6 teacher and working on a master’s degree in education, Kirkup defines herself as a lifelong learner. She loves learning new teaching strategies that can benefit her in the classroom and on the ice.

“The world is constantly evolving and we’re learning a lot about the next generation coming up,” she says. “I think it’s super important to keep pushing myself and not staying stagnant in both of my coaching and teaching roles.”

Balancing teaching and coaching can be challenging. It requires a lot of preparation and organization for Kirkup to be set up for success.

“I will admit, it is a juggling act right from the start of September,” she says. “It does have to be a full team effort throughout a long hockey season. It’s a lot of months and a lot of time being put into both teaching and coaching.”

Kirkup grew up playing minor hockey in Portage la Prairie before her family moved to Virden for high school. She joined the Westman Wildcats to play U18 AAA in the Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL).

“That experience was a major driving force in why I’m coaching again today,” she explains. “I always look back with fond memories of [playing for the Wildcats]. I enjoyed my time there.”

Kirkup believes in chasing adversity. She believes by trusting those around you and leaning on people for support, you will come out of adversity as a stronger and better person.

As Kirkup was looking to get into coaching, she noticed that there was no U15 AAA or U18 AAA teams in Brandon. After discussing the idea with others, she took a leap of faith to start working with community members to build a program.

“Being a small part of building a program from the ground out was a tremendous experience. I got to grow and learn with people around me that also cared a lot about the game,” she says. “I knew with the dedicated people around me, we could make it happen.”

Quickly, Kirkup began to find success on and off the ice with her team. In the first season as head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings, her U15 AAA team became rural provincial champions in the 2021-22 season.

“Those are some of the memories that I’ll never forget, how those players are clutch in some big moments,” Kirkup says. “We carried momentum from there—next season, we had some strong players again, and we found some success again.”

The U15 AAA Wheat Kings went on to be the MFHL champions in back-to-back seasons (2022-23, 2023-24). Kirkup moved up to coach the U18 AAA Wheat Kings last season. She continues to watch the careers of the players she has coached—in fact, all six graduating players from her first U15 AAA team are moving on to become student-athletes this fall.

“The players that I was working with had a lot of resilience,” Kirkup says. “I have so much pride for those groups that our coaching staff initially got to work with and continue to work with now.”

As a player, Kirkup represented Manitoba twice at the U18 Women’s National Championship—she won bronze in 2011 and silver in 2012. Kirkup also had the opportunity to attend camp with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team in 2013. She always knew that she wanted to come back to Team Manitoba as a coach in some capacity. She applied to be a part of the coaching staff at the 2023 Canada Winter Games and was named an assistant coach.

“[I had] a couple of years of head coaching under my belt and I wanted to continue to push myself, chase that adversity and challenge myself to be a better coach and a better teacher,” she says.

Kirkup joined assistant Maddie Litchfield-Medd and head coach Ashley van Aggelen on the bench for the tournament—a full circle moment considering van Aggelen coached Kirkup at U18 Nationals back in 2012.

In 2024, Kirkup was an assistant coach with Manitoba at U18 Nationals, and she will lead her province at the 2025 tournament in Newfoundland and Labrador later this year. As someone who has both played and coached in the national championship, Kirkup brings a unique perspective to the bench.

“It’s very important to humanize the experience and to acknowledge that the reason you have nerves is because you care and you want to do well at these bigger events,” she says. “In short-term competition, it’s about building that trust early on and continuing to do little things to maintain that throughout a tournament.”

This season marks a new chapter for Kirkup. After four years with the Wheat Kings, she is moving to the U18 AAA Westman Wildcats to coach the team she grew up playing for.

“I’m so excited for this coming season. […] Some people that were involved when I was there as a player are still involved and are doing their best to create and maintain a program that has sent lots of players on to the post-secondary level,” she says. “I plan to go in there and continue on the legacy of that program.”

As she reflected on the impact of being one of the national recipients of a BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award, Kirkup is fortunate to have worked with and lean on some amazing coaching staffs—including working alongside her dad for two seasons.

“Having that experience in that relationship to have hard conversations, to incorporate the entire coaching staff, it’s important,” she says. “You’re doing the next best right thing, but you’re always evolving and you’re always learning.”

Kirkup encourages women that are getting started on their own coaching journeys to chase their own adversity.

“If you wait for the right moment to be ready to take on an assistant or head coaching role, that moment of readiness is never going to come,” she explains. “If you’re interested in coaching, dive into it with the best intentions and the best effort that you can. Ask questions, be open-minded and have fun with it.”

Coaches are leaders in hockey. Providing the space and resources to allow players to be the best they can be on and off the ice is an important job—and it’s something Vicky Sunohara takes seriously as a coach.

“[Our job as a coach] is to develop people through sport,” Sunohara says. “I take that very serious. It’s not only developing the hockey side, but it’s also trying to help provide a supportive environment and be a leader within a good culture.”

When Sunohara she learned that she was selected as the national recipient of this year’s BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award in the High Performance category, she was surprised.

“I’m not certain I’m deserving of this recognition, but it’s very humbling,” she says. “I coach with and against some amazing women coaches and I’ve learned so much from many of them. This is pretty special.”

It’s no secret that Sunohara has a wealth of experience and accolades that she pours into her coaching roles. A two-time Olympic gold medallist and seven-time world champion during her playing career, Sunohara sits 11th in scoring with Canada’s National Women’s Team with 118 points (56-62—118) in 164 international games and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Her playing career dates back to the 1980s; after four seasons of college and university hockey—two with Northeastern University and two with the University of Toronto—she spent time in the old Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League (COWHL) before playing parts of 11 seasons with the Brampton Thunder in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL)

Some players know they want to coach after they retire, but that was not the case for Sunohara.

“I didn’t think that I would get into coaching, to be honest,” she explains. “It was kind of just sprung on me at the time. I started to help out at practice, running a few drills.”

Near the end of her last CWHL season, Sunohara discovered she was pregnant with her twin boys. Deciding not to take any chances, she spoke to some teammates and decided to hop behind the bench for the rest of the season.

“From then on, [coaching] was in the back of my mind because I realized I wasn’t going to play anymore.”

After her sons were born, Sunohara became the director of women’s hockey at The Hill Academy in Caledon, Ontario, a role she held for two seasons. In 2011, a full-time head coaching position opened with the University of Toronto’s women’s hockey team.

She jumped into the role with her alma mater, despite not having much insight into all of the responsibilities of a U SPORTS head coach.

“I didn’t start as an assistant coach, so I didn’t really learn from a head coach or have a mentor coach. I had many great coaches as a player, and that’s where I drew a lot of my coaching philosophies from,” she says. “I had my own thoughts on what I really liked and what I wanted to continue, but not any experience as an assistant coach. That was difficult.”

With the help of a supportive athletic director and staff, Sunohara began to navigate through her journey as a head coach, learning as she went.

Thirteen seasons later, Sunohara has guided the Varsity Blues to three McCaw Cups as Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champions (2020, 2023, 2025) and a trip to the U SPORTS national championship game in 2024. She was named coach of the year for both the OUA and U SPORTS for three consecutive seasons from 2019-23 and earned OUA Female Coach of the Year honours spanning across all sports in 2019-20.

“When I won my first Olympic gold medal, I loved watching the joy in my teammates and staff, and just knowing the work and what went into winning that. I get that feeling when we won the OUA championship because it’s really difficult,” she says. “We play in a difficult league; it’s not something that is easy to win. I love watching my assistant coaches, staff and the players—I can step back and I feel so great and proud of them.”

Having the chance to reconnect with players after their university career is over provides another opportunity for reflection.

“Seeing players again and talking about their experiences and where they’ve done after they’ve graduated—it’s awesome,” she says. “Having the opportunity to be a small part of their lives is amazing.”

In addition to university sports, Sunohara loves to coach women’s U18 athletes. As a player, she didn’t have as many chances to play high-level hockey and develop at that age.

“I had great leadership and guidance playing on the senior team, but I think missed out on those years of opportunities on at a very young age,” Sunohara says. “These U18 teams, they’re learning at a younger age and able to be supportive of each other, but they also understand that even if you’re not on a top power play or the top line, you can still have an impact on the team’s success.”

Sunohara was an assistant coach when Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team won gold at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in 2022 and bronze in 2024. This past season, she took the reins as head coach, winning another world title, and she is returning to lead Canada at the 2026 U18 Women’s Worlds in Sydney and Membertou, Nova Scotia.

With her own experience representing Canada on a national stage, Sunohara is happy to have the opportunity to share what made her teams successful and make a different in the next generation’s development.

“It’s really rewarding and so exciting for me to watch the young players put on the Team Canada jersey for the first time and represent their country,” she says. “After this past worlds, to watch them win gold, it’s such a feeling of pride.”

Sunohara’s coaching experience doesn’t stop there—she joined the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres hockey operations staff this season as a coach consultant and participated in practice planning with the team’s coaching staff.

“I loved every minute of it,” she says. “I learned so much and being on the ice with the players at that level was pretty special.”

Witnessing the evolution of professional women’s hockey up close also provided some reflection about how far the game has come since Sunohara hung up her skates.

“I would have loved to be a part of that as a player. Watching something that is a dream come true for me was pretty special,” she says. “I loved having the opportunity to have conversations with the players and coaches about continuing to develop the game and listening to their thoughts.”

The phrase, “if you can see it, you can be it,” is often associated with women’s hockey in terms of inspiring the next generation to play, coach and officiate. Sunohara says she’s still learning and developing as a coach.

Although she was initially thrown into her coaching journey, she’s happy that she has mentors now to get guidance, feedback and help.

“We always talk about getting out of your comfort zone as a player. Get out of your comfort zone as a coach and ask for a mentor,” she encourages. “Coaches are often willing to help each other. The best part of development is having those conversations, learning, working with people and being a fly on the wall.

“There’s so many people that would love to help and be a part of the growth of a coach.”

Despite growing up around the game, Nazia Khan never considered coaching a minor hockey team. Even when her own children started playing and her daughter’s coach suggested it, Khan still thought it was out of the question. Coaching was only for hockey dads, right?

“Even if I was [already] a hockey mom, I don’t look like the typical hockey mom,” laughs Khan, while adjusting her hijab.

Born in Toronto to a French-Canadian mother and South Asian father, Khan started playing hockey around age 12 with the Mississauga Girls Hockey League (MGHL). She never faced any discrimination because of her background while playing, but while reflecting on her own hockey journey, she realized she never had any women as coaches. That made Khan reconsider her position; maybe coaching could (and should) be for hockey moms, too.

“As soon as I started [coaching], I adored it,” Khan says. “I was connecting with the girls and they were so excited to have a female coach.

“I feel like it was impactful for the girls, but it was also impactful for me.”

Yasmeen Rizkana, Khan’s eldest daughter, agreed that the first year her mother coached was very meaningful. But it was also one of her more challenging seasons.

“She was going extra hard on me [as her daughter] and I think that helped me get a lot better that year,” Rizkana says with a smile. “But to this date, she’s one of the best goalie coaches I’ve ever had.”

After a few years of taking on goalie and assistant coach positions, Khan was thrust into a head coaching role when her youngest daughter’s coach left the team because of work. At that point Khan knew she should continue her own coaching education.

Since this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, Khan was able to explore her options online and came across We Are Coaches.

“I saw there was no cost and it was women only, so I thought why not give it a try … and I loved it,” Khan recalls. “I had felt inadequate going the first time because I felt I didn’t know anything but then I heard [from other women that] ‘I had to step up even though I never played hockey and didn’t even know how to skate.’

“And just hearing that there’s a collective of female coaches who want to get better and want to learn, that’s just so huge.”

The We Are Coaches program was created to support and sustain the number of girls and women in hockey, specifically by increasing the number of trained women coaches in the game. Funded by the Hockey Canada Foundation, it is free of charge for participants. Most importantly, it is run by women.

Khan enjoyed her first experience with We Are Coaches so much, she sought out in-person clinics when the IIHF Women’s World Championship came to Brampton in 2023. And now, as an executive member of the MGHL, Khan is working with Hockey Canada to bring the program to Mississauga to encourage more trained women coaches in the game, especially as her own daughters continue to grow in it.

“I’ve talked to some of the coaches that we have, and they all think it will be so good,” Khan says. “I would take these twice…I’m so excited to see what it looks like when we put it together.”

Rizkana also hopes she can be a force for change, encouraging more people with non-traditional hockey backgrounds into the game. Her father is originally from Egypt and didn’t know much about the game until Rizkana and her siblings started playing. But he still supported her through a chance to represent Egypt at the Dreams Nations Cup in New Jersey last year.

“That experience helped me realize [my teammates and I were] breaking down barriers,” Rizkana says. “It wasn’t just about the cool experience and what we accomplished for ourselves, it was about being role models for future generations and encouraging more young girls to start playing hockey.”

The international play also motivated Rizkana to continue pushing for her own hockey goals, which include post-secondary and professional aspirations. But she would also be happy as a builder within the game.

“Even if I can’t make a career out of it, I hope that I can actually make a career for younger girls, if they want it,” Rizkana says.

And with Khan and Rizkana helping to grow the game and build community, there will certainly be plenty of options for other women and girls in the game.

7 COACHING PRINCIPLES: Skating | Puck Control | Vision & Scanning | Deception | Creative & Dynamic | Angling | Goaltending

Goaltending coaching focuses on developing the specialized skills needed for the position, emphasizing skating, positioning, puck-tracking and puck-handling. It is critical for goaltenders to perform at their best in each of these areas and respond quickly to the fast pace of the game.

Importance of Skating

Skating is arguably the most crucial aspect of goaltending, forming the foundation for quick movements, effective positioning and making saves. Unlike regular players, who skate primarily forward and backward, goalies need to master specific movements that allow them to cover the crease and react to plays with precision. Strong skating skills enable goalies to stay agile and adjust quickly to changing the game situations.

Effective Positioning

Proper tracking is another key component of goaltending, directly influencing a netminder’s ability to react to shots, control rebounds and anticipate plays. A goalie with excellent puck-tracking can read plays more effectively, make quicker saves and stay in position for multiple shot attempts.

Enhancing Puck-Handling Skills

Puck-handling is no longer just for forwards and defenders. Goaltenders who can handle the puck well reduce pressure from forecheckers, assist in defensive-zone transitions and set up breakouts for teammates. Effective puck-handling helps teams maintain possession, relieve pressure during dump-ins and can even contribute to offensive opportunities.

Teaching Goaltending at All Age Levels

Developing these fundamental goaltending skills at all levels of play ensures goalies build a strong foundation early, allowing them to adapt to higher levels of competition and become game-changers for their teams.

Here are three drills that can be used at all ages to teach goaltending fundamentals:

Drill #1 – Warm-Up / Crease Skating

• Start at the post in an athletic stance.
• Rotate and power slide to face-off dots and slot (look, lean, load).
• Use post-to-post and low-to-high sequences.
• Recover to stand and repeat.

Key Teaching Points:

1. Lead with eyes, stick and skate (Look).
2. Rotate shoulders, glove and stick (Lean).
3. Maintain quiet upper body.

Drill #2 – Flash Screen Drill

• Goaltender tracks the puck to the slot, then back to corner.
• Goaltender should remain connected to the puck as the screen comes out of the corner.
• Track the rebound out.

Key Teaching Points:

1. Stay unfazed by the traffic passing through the crease.
2. Use peripheral vision to stay connected to the puck.

Drill #3 – Report to Corner Passing

• Coach starts with pucks on the half wall.
• Goaltender is square to coach on the wall.
• Coach rims puck along the boards; the goaltender leaves net, stops puck and passes it to the player in corner.
• Teammate calls for a pass.
• Sequence should be repeated so the goaltender must stop and play the rim to both forehand and backhand sides.

Key Teaching Points:

1. Depending on the strength of the rim, goalies should be using two hands to stop the puck. Top hand (blocker) on the knob of the stick and bottom hand (glove) where the shaft meets the paddle of the stick.
2. Goaltender must look first to see their target before making a pass.

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.

During my first session with every team I work with, I ask players to tell me how important mental skills are to their performance in comparison to their physical skills. Without hesitation, they will shout out “50/50,” “60/40,” “70/30,” or even “80/20.”

The next question I ask is if they spend as much time working on mental skills as they do physical skills, and the answer is always “no.” That’s because most players think mental skills practice has to occur at its own designated time, exclusive from physical practice. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

As coaches and parents, we are uniquely positioned to help young athletes practice mental performance skills during every drill, game, whistle break and car ride home. Our knowledge of mental performance skills does not have to be high to effectively do this. As Samuel Johnson once said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”

What should you be reminding your young athletes about? Here are three simple ideas to help foster a growth mindset and a resilient attitude.

Self-talk

Hockey is a game of mistakes and, by default, our brains are negative. Young athletes regularly revert to negative self-talk when they make mistakes without understanding the consequences. Sometimes it’s simply a public display of self-berating to show their coach and teammates they aren’t happy with their poor performance, and other times it is simply frustration rising to the surface.

We can’t ask athletes to lie to themselves and say, “It’s ok, you will succeed,” or “Don’t worry, next shift will be better,” because it may not be, and failure may occur no matter what. But talking negatively to themselves has a similar effect on their physiology to when a coach or teammate is berating them.

What we can ask them to repeat to themselves are constructive phrases that focus on attributes that are not attached to their physical skills. They can say, “You’re a warrior, you will compete not matter what,” “You’re a battler, you won’t stay down for long,” or “You’re a problem solver, you’ll keep working figure this out.” These qualities will soon become what the athlete identifies themself by, and unlike heavy legs or rusty hands, they can’t be stripped away from them on a bad day.

Focusing techniques

I once heard LeBron James say, “I don’t rest on the bench, I recover.” Ever since then, I have talked to athletes about turning their rest intervals between shifts in a game, or even between drill repetitions at practice, into a recovery interval. During that time, I ask them to revert to a brief breathing routine that allows them to mentally reset.

The neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has described using multiple physiological sighs (inhale, followed by another inhale, followed by a long exhale) in succession to improve mental recovery. I ask athletes to practice a few repetitions of a technique like this before thinking about anything else after a shift/drill. Once the brain is settled, they can resume visualizing what they need to do next to be successful.

Deliberate practice

Failure is essential to improvement, and overcoming failure helps athletes become resilient people with a growth mindset. Deliberate practice, also known as deep practice, is the purposeful execution of a skill. It is not the perfect execution of a skill. It is the opposite of “auto-pilot.”

Athletes frequently need to be reminded that pushing themselves to fail, and then using the feedback they get from that failure to minimize it next time, is the best thing they can do for their development. When an athlete is going through the motions, nothing is being imprinted on their brain.

According to author Mathew Syed, when athletes push themselves beyond their limits and force themselves to “jumble” a task, that microsecond of struggle is where improvement takes place. A practice without failure is likely a practice without improvement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A certified member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA), Lucas Madill has worked as a mental performance consultant with teams throughout the Program of Excellence since 2017, including with Canada’s gold medal-winning National Junior Team in 2023. A native of Kirkland, Quebec, Lucas holds a master’s degree in sport psychology from the University of New Brunswick, along with bachelor’s degrees from UNB (education) and McGill University (kinesiology). He played university hockey at McGill and UNB, earning academic-all Canadian honours at both schools.

7 COACHING PRINCIPLES: Skating | Puck Control | Vision & Scanning | Deception | Creative & Dynamic | Angling | Goaltending

Angling is a critical defensive technique in hockey that involves positioning yourself to force an opponent into a less advantageous area of the ice, typically towards the boards or away from the net. This tactic helps limit the opponent’s options, slow down their speed, create opportunities to regain control of the puck and stop their advance.

Limiting Opponent Options

By effectively using angling, a player can reduce the space and time an opponent has to make a play. Forcing the opponent into a confined area of the ice not only disrupts their momentum, but also limits their passing and shooting options. This technique is a key defensive strategy for preventing scoring chances and containing offensive players.

Anticipation & Body Positioning

Successful angling requires anticipation, strong body positioning and stick control. By reading the opponent’s movements and positioning your body properly, a player can control the direction of the play without committing a penalty. The ability to angle well allows players to remain disciplined while still applying pressure and disrupting the opponent’s flow.

Practicing Angling Skills

Incorporating angling drills into practice is essential for mastering this skill. While it’s difficult to replicate the exact game situations players will face, regular practice and repetition are key to becoming proficient. Each angling scenario varies in terms of pace, ice position and the size of the opposing players. Practicing under different conditions helps players to adapt and improve.

Crucial for All Players

Angling is an important skill for both defence and forwards. By mastering angling, players can become more effective in shutting down opponents and regaining puck possession for their team.

Here are three drills that can be used at all ages to teach angling:

Drill #1 – 1-Up/1-Down – Gap Angling Drill

• Spilt players into four groups using each corner of the ice. Alternate sides.
• Coach starts the play with “GO.”
• The defensive player must touch goal line, and the forward with puck must touch the blue line.
• The defensive player’s goal is to clear puck or skate the puck past the ringette line if they steal it.
• The forward’s goal is to try to score—one shot/one rebound is allowed per pair.

Drill #2 – Puck Steal Angling Warm-up

• Line up players at centre ice.
• Coach in the corner with pucks.
• The first player in line (Player 1) skates in and takes a shot on net.
• Player 1 then proceeds to the corner to retrieve a new puck.
• Player 2 follows Player 1 in for their shot, then steers the player up the boards.
• Ensure Player 2 executes good stick-on puck and hips-to-glove technique to separate the puck from Player 1.
• Player 2 goes in for a shot on net.
• Player 3 follows Player 2 in to repeat the drill.

Drill #3 – Checking Skills – Forecheck Progression

• Defender 1 and Forward 1 head out to the pylon together.
• Forward 1 dumps the puck in on Defender 1.
• Forward 1 attempts to steer Defender 1 out of the play.
• A second forward can join the forecheck and support Forward 1.
• Forward 1 and Forward 2 take puck to the net after a change of possession.

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.

7 COACHING PRINCIPLES: Skating | Puck Control | Vision & Scanning | Deception | Creative & Dynamic | Angling | Goaltending

A creative and dynamic player in today’s game is one that plays with pace, is deceptive and thrives in small spaces. These players create confusion within the opposing team’s defensive structure and can separate themselves from defenders to give them a technical advantage. Their ability to read the game and react quickly allows them to consistently outmaneuver opponents.

Impact on Playmaking & Team Success

Creative and dynamic players don’t just showcase their skills—they make plays that drive success for their team. By utilizing their creativity, they extend puck possession, make smarter next plays and create more offensive opportunities for their teammates. This unpredictability keeps defenders guessing and opens the ice for others to capitalize on.

Skills for a Creative & Dynamic Game

Players looking to enhance their creativity and become more dynamic often work on specific skills during practice, such as cutbacks, escapes, jab steps, jukes, stick fakes and head and foot fakes. These techniques allow players to evade defenders while creating time and space, leading to better decision-making and game play execution.

Energizing the Team

Creative and dynamic players boost their own performance while energizing their teammates. Their style of play can lift the entire team’s morale and create a positive ripple effect on the ice. These players often elevate the performance of those around them, making their team more effective and difficult to defend against.

Teaching Creativity & Dynamism at All Age Levels

Fostering creativity and dynamic play should start early and be reinforced at all levels. Encouraging young players to experiment with new moves and take risks builds confidence and adaptability. As they advance, these skills become vital in keeping up with the increasing pace of the game, ensuring they continue to thrive as game-changers.

Here are three drills that can be used at all ages to teach creativity and dynamics:

Drill #1 – Warm Up / 10-Second Conditioning

• Players line up in three lines along the red line.
• On the coach’s whistle, players skate into the zone with a puck.
• Players perform the communicated skill within that area until the next whistle.
• The coach will vary the desired skills to be performed with the puck.
• Players should have their eyes up, head on a swivel and keep their feet moving.

Progressions:

1. Navigate/heel skate
2. Heel-to-heel
3. Cutbacks
4. Two players per puck
5. 1v1 keep-away

Drill #2 – Puck Control / 1-on-1 Small Space Attack Sequences

• Players start on the goal line.
• Set up pylon – player – pylon on the ice.
• Weave up and back, attacking the stationary player in the middle and finishing with a shot on net.
• Alternate sides so the goaltender has time to get set for next shot.

Progressions:

1. Attack triangle (up and back)
2. Open to backhand to protect – cut hands
3. Disrupt stick (stick lift/stick swipe)
4. Add chaser
5. Player in the middle turns and gaps up the puck carrier to play 1v1
6. Chaser and regroup 1v1 (front and back pressure)

Drill #3 – Defence / Puck Control / 3 Puck Stop-and-Go Shooting

• Three pylons are placed in a triangle formation close to the blue line.
• Players skate inside out, around outside pylon and visualizing pressure while skating backwards away from it.
• Players skate around other outside pylon, still visualizing pressure against and incorporating fakes to evade.
• Repeat one more time, then head in for a shot on net.

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.

7 COACHING PRINCIPLES: Skating | Puck Control | Vision & Scanning | Deception | Creative & Dynamic | Angling | Goaltending

Deception is the art of misleading your opponent, making them believe you’re going one way when you’re planning to escape in another. This can be a game-changer, creating more time and space with the puck, helping you out-maneuver the opposition and capitalize on opportunities that can turn the tide of a game.

Creating Time & Space

A primary benefit of using deception is the creation of time and space. By deceiving your opponent, you can make them hesitate or commit to a direction, giving you the precious seconds needed to execute your next move.

Vision & Scanning

Successful deception isn’t just about the moves you make; it’s also about vision and awareness. Before attempting a deceptive maneuver, it’s crucial to develop good scanning habits—constantly reading the play, assessing the position of defenders and identifying the safest areas of the ice.

Teaching Deception at All Age Levels

For younger players, deception introduces creativity and critical thinking, allowing them to explore the game in a fun, dynamic way while building confidence and laying the foundation for more advanced techniques as they develop. For older, more experienced players, deception becomes an essential element of elevating their game. Incorporating deception into practice from a young age helps players build the instincts and awareness needed for long-term success.

Here are three drills you can use in practice with all age groups to teach deception:

Drill #1 – Three Line Deception

• Put players in two or three lines in each end zone. (Goalies/Goalie coach can use NZ for skating skills.
• Players start near the hashmarks and skate to blue line to perform the move and then skate back to the back of the line.
• Maximize repetitions and use progressions for players to create deception, quick hands and puck control skills.
• Forwards and defence perform same skills.
• Coaches are encouraged to be creative with this template.

Drill #2 – Puck Control – Wall Retrieval – Stick Fakes

• Place pucks near the hashmark.
• Player B dumps a puck into the corner for Player A to retrieve.
• Player A shoulder checks and incorporate a head, stick or foot fake to escape, then proceeds to net for a shot.
• Player B provide soft pressure.

Drill #3 – Shooting – Fake pass – Off-wing shot

• Players start lined up, side by side, in the middle of the ice at the blue line.
• Players cross and proceed together towards the net.
• Using deception, show a pass and take a shot.
• Use deception, show a shot and make a pass.

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.