CALGARY, Alta. – The beginning of a new season is here as kids, parents, officials and volunteers head back to the rink for the 2019-20 hockey season. Hockey Canada is looking forward to the upcoming season with many opportunities for new and returning players.  

With athletes of all ages hitting the ice over the next few weeks, there are several exciting opportunities for skaters, parents and officials alike. This includes programs for age groups ranging from Timbits Initiation to adult rec programs, and development opportunities for coaches and officials.

“Starting a fresh hockey season is always exciting, no matter what capacity you’re experiencing it in,” said Tom Renney, chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “From experience, having a new season to focus on is wonderful, whether it be as a player, a coach or a parent. There are so many opportunities out there where we can come together and share the love for the sport.”

Through the season Hockey Canada provides players, parents and coaches with tools to help improve and elevate their game, starting with tips for evaluations, resources like Tom’s Talks, the Hockey Canada Network and Hockey Canada Skills Academies across the country. These resources are created with the athletes’ best interest in mind and makes it easier on coaches and parents to help create an atmosphere of fun and learning for athletes of all ages.

Novice hockey moves to half-ice

With the new season, minor hockey associations across the country are embracing the move to half-ice hockey in their Novice programs. When the change was introduced in 2018, many regions made the switch for the 2018-19 season and experienced first-hand how it helps the development of Novice-aged players.

“We’re tremendously excited to see players across the country experience the benefits of half-ice Novice hockey,” said Renney. “The focus is about making hockey more for these kids. They get more puck touches, more scoring chances and, ultimately, they have more fun.”

The program, which is now mandatory across Canada, offers Novice-aged kids a better chance at development, while increasing the fun they have while on-ice. Half-ice hockey has proven to provide kids more puck-touches, more passing and better development in tight spaces.

For more information on Hockey Canada, or Hockey Canada’s programs, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, and for more information on half-ice hockey, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Novice.

Take a second, visit YouTube and check out the top 10 plays of Sidney Crosby’s career.

You’re all but guaranteed to see No. 87's one-handed backhand beauty against the Buffalo Sabres, his puck-handling clinic against Jason Spezza, his falling-down goal against the Montreal Canadiens and his stick-handling dismantlement of the Edmonton Oilers.

There’s a common ingredient between these four moments: The two-time Olympic gold medallist and IIHF Triple Gold Club member got the job done with barely any room to operate.

“You have to be able to make plays in pretty small areas,” Crosby says. “The more you practice in small spaces, the better off you are.”  

With the mandate that Novice games must be played on half-ice starting this fall – many member branches have already adopted the format over the past several seasons – seven- and eight-year-old players will play in games that will align with the small-area nature of professional hockey.

Jesse Joslin has seen the benefits of dividing the playing surface. His son Sebastian, born in 2010, participated in cross-ice hockey at the Initiation level and half-ice hockey as a Novice player in the Semiahmoo Minor Hockey Association. The hockey dad admits he was apprehensive because the benefits of shifting from a full ice surface were unknown.

He is a firm advocate now.

“Games on the smaller surface are a much more realistic indication of what hockey is going to be,” Joslin explains. “There is so much time and space on the full ice that what they’re learning is not going to be applied. You need to be used to making decisions instantly. When you put an eight-year-old on a large ice surface against five other kids, they don’t have to react because there is so much room.”

Paul Carson, vice-president of hockey development with Hockey Canada, says less time and space leads to more exciting hockey.

“The Novice half-ice hockey initiative divides a 200-by-85 playing surface into two halves, creating a much quicker and more engaging game format. The smaller ice surface, along with four-on-four play, ensures young players have fun while increasing skill development opportunities.”

The minor hockey associations that have already adopted Novice half-ice hockey have found the program provides more significant opportunities for young athletes to work on passing, puck possession, shooting and skating.

Natalie Vigier Hutton, a hockey mom in Morden, Man., is delighted that her son Brooks, who is about to start his second year of Novice, has confidence on the ice because he has improved his skills through the half-ice program.

“It helped [Brooks], who wasn’t the greatest of skaters, gain some confidence,” Vigier Hutton says. “The kids weren’t 60 feet away from him. He also became more confident because of all the puck touches.”

Vigier Hutton adds that half-ice hockey limits the capacity for a player to streak down the ice in a straight line to score a goal. The compacted playing surface forces a puck-carrying forward to maneuver past opponents to reach the net. Therefore, a strong team game is required to achieve consistent offensive success.

Jeremy Menzies, a hockey parent and the coach coordinator for the Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association, shares Joslin and Hutton’s take that half-ice hockey is a boon for player growth. He is also a fan of the initiative because it was a fun experience for his son McGuire, 10.

“Their creativity is being developed. [Kids] believe that ‘I can make that pass, I can get to the net and make that play.’ They are just super involved in every play. You see the smiles on their face.”

Dr. Michael Ziglo will be navigating half-ice hockey for the first time this autumn as a Novice coach in the Lumsden Bethune Minor Hockey Association. He will also watch his son Nolan transition to half-ice after he played on the full sheet last season.

An intriguing aspect of the shift for Ziglo is comparing how the half-ice enhances specific skills compared to the traditional 200 x 85 playing surface. He says it will take time, but half-ice hockey will become standard in Saskatchewan like it has already in other provinces.

“With kids coming up down the road, the half-ice will be what they know. It will become the new normal. It is always tough when you switch something. There are always going to be some growing pains.”

Joslin and Vigier Hutton both encourage players, parents and coaches who are new to half-ice hockey to respond to any growing pains with patience because the benefits make it an ultimately rewarding experience.
 
To learn more about the Hockey Canada Novice Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Novice.  

To Laurence Morissette, teaching and coaching go hand in hand. With her coaching philosophy focused on communication and being player-centric, the Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, native works to teach resilience, teamwork and leadership to her athletes.

This season, Morissette is the national BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award winner in the High Performance category. The award celebrates women who are making a difference as coaches through leadership, mentorship and a commitment to player development. The High Performance category recognizes coaches working with athletes competing at the U SPORTS, Canadian collegiate hockey and professional levels.

HockeyCanada.ca caught up with Morissette to learn more about the journey that has shaped her as a coach and leader.

What was yourinitial reaction when you learned you had been selected as a national winner of the BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award?

It was an honour when I heard the news. Being recognized alongside so many women who are pushing the game forward across Canada is a huge privilege for me. This award is a reflection of all the incredible players, coaches and mentors who have supported me along the way, and I will continue to share my passion for hockey every single day.

What inspired you to get into coaching and what has kept you passionate about it over the years?

I started coaching when my playing career ended. After playing hockey for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, I knew I wasn't ready to walk away from the rink, so I wanted to give back to the game that shaped who I am right now. What started as a transition out of playing quickly became a true passion. Today, whether I'm coaching at Heritage College, teaching and coaching at Louis-Riel High School or running summer camps, my passion is fueled by seeing the athletes grow. Watching players grasp new concepts, build their confidence and succeed both on and off the ice is what keeps me motivated every single day.

How would you describe your coaching style and what values do you hope your athletes take away from their experience with you?

I'm very player-centred and communication-driven. I believe in high standards while providing high support. I think it's all about creating a safe yet challenging environment where players feel motivated to push their limits. I want my athletes to walk away with strong self-confidence, a deep sense of accountability and a lifelong love for the game. I think hockey is a great way to teach resilience, teamwork and leadership. I think those values will serve them long after they hang up their skates.

How do you help your players grow both on and off the ice?

We all know that high performance comes with high pressure. But I believe that winning on the ice starts with growing as a person. On the ice, we focus on small details, smart tactics and staying calm under pressure.

Off the ice, my experience as a teacher has really helped me guide my players as student-athletes. We work on life skills like time management, leadership and managing their emotions. I want to treat them as a whole person, not just hockey players. We want to build their trust and character so they can succeed in demanding environments.

Who has had the biggest influence on your coaching journey and helped to shape you into the coach you are today?

I've been really fortunate to have good coaches. I had an amazing coach, Chelsea Grills, when I was playing at the University of Ottawa, so it was a really easy transition to being behind the bench right after I stopped playing hockey. There’s also my teaching career right now. One person I have in mind is Karina Potvin, who I work with. She has really helped me start my career and has shown me a lot of things. There are also people who are working at Heritage College who have helped me along the way. They taught me that great coaching is actually great teaching. They showed me how to communicate effectively with players, adapt to different learning styles, lead with empathy and always bring positive energy.

What does it mean to you to be recognized with this award during such an exciting time for women’s hockey in Canada?

It's absolutely incredible with the rise of professional hockey, women's hockey and the growing registration numbers across the country. Women's hockey has a spotlight on it like never before. To receive this award right now is truly special. It reinforces the importance of representation. I want young girls to look at the bench and see that there is a viable, exciting and rewarding path for them in coaching and leadership within the sport.

What advice would you give to young women who are considering stepping behind the bench and pursuing a career in coaching?

Just jump in. Don't wait until you feel like you know everything. I think the best coaches are lifelong learners who learn by doing. Trust yourself, trust your experience as a player and don't be afraid to voice your perspective. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes, it is just the energy you bring behind the bench that young players need.

Lyndsey Janes always wanted to be a coach. She just thought that opportunity would be a little further into the future.

Instead, the former U SPORTS athlete is wrapping up her first season as assistant coach with the women’s hockey team at the University of Manitoba.

“Sports has always been the biggest part of my life. I knew it was something that I wanted to continue to be a part of once I was done playing,” Janes says. “I knew I wanted to coach in some capacity, but I just kind of thought it would be coaching my kids one day.”

Janes, who spent six seasons (2019-25) at Mount Royal University (MRU), captaining the Cougars in her final two years, got her first full-time coaching opportunity thanks to the Creating Coaches program through the Hockey Canada Foundation.

“I wouldn’t have been able to be in this position if it weren’t for the Creating Coaches program,” she says.

Creating Coaches provides selected student-athletes with mentorship, resources and support to ensure their coaching experience is positive. The goal of the program is to expose athletes to future opportunities in the game.

Janes started her schooling at MRU pursuing an education degree, but switched to a double major with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and marketing. She never felt comfortable with her schooling choice because she always envisioned herself in hockey in some capacity.

Head coach Scott Rivett suggested the Creating Coaches program; that was when she started dreaming a new role for herself after her playing days were over. She was nominated by Rivett and submitted her application, where she was accepted into the two-year program as part of the third cohort in the fall of 2023.

“[Scott] knew I had some experience coaching a tournament back home in Alberta, and he reached out asking me if I would be interested in the Creating Coaches program,” Janes says. “He nominated me, I applied and got accepted and the rest is kind of history.”

Janes was connected with two girls’ minor hockey teams in the Calgary area, spending one season as an assistant coach with the Airdrie U18 AA Lightning and another with the Calgary U18 AAA Fire while she was finishing her degree at MRU.

“My role was part-time since I was still playing, but I think that really sparked the idea that maybe this is something I could do as a career,” she says.

She learned a lot from the coaches she worked, seeing how to run the dressing room, practices and games to build rapport and trust with the players.

“My first experience of being on the bench as a coach was a cool experience,” Janes says. “I wasn’t always the fastest skater, had the best shot or was the most skilled. But one of my strengths was my IQ, my vision and the way I see the game. I found that coaching allowed me to use those strengths in a different way.”

Janes knows what it feels like to have both sides of coaching. Throughout her playing years, she experienced positive coaches that increased her love for the sport. She also experienced harder seasons with poor coaching.

“My journey through hockey was mostly a positive one in my development and all the opportunities that I got to have,” she says. “I had my fair share of great coaches who taught me so much and I also had my share of poor experiences. I knew that I want to give my players a positive experience and have an impact on the next generation of athletes.”

The opportunity with the Bisons came together quickly last summer. In May, the team hired Jordan Colliton, who was Janes’ associate coach during her time at MRU. She also spent two years as head coach of Leksands IF in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League.

Janes and Colliton got in touch and discussed the role and went through the hiring process. Janes is grateful for the Creating Coaches program for helping her get to this role and opportunity with confidence.

“It wasn’t an opportunity that I was necessarily expecting, so when it was presented to me, it was something I couldn’t pass up,” she says. “In the span of a couple of weeks, I moved to Winnipeg. This is something I did not expect to experience so early in my coaching career.”

The Bisons had a so-so regular season, finishing fifth with a 13-15 record, but got hot at the right time; they upset MRU in the Canada West semifinals to reach the championship series, where they came up just short against the University of British Columbia.

Next up, they’ll face the best from across the country at the U SPORTS national championship, March 19-22 in Waterloo, Ontario.

“I’m so glad I took this chance because I have learned so much and they are such an incredible group of athletes,” Janes says. “I’ve never seen a team so close-knit before and have something so special going on within the locker room. It was just an awesome year.”

Now that Janes has turned her ‘one day’ dream into reality, she wants to stay present and enjoy the moment with the Bisons and the continue to learn and grow as a coach. But she’d also be lying if she hasn’t set her next big goal of coaching the best players in the world.

“This year absolutely solidified that I want to be a coach. There is no other place I can see myself than being on the bench. Coaching is the first thing I’ve experienced that has given me the same feeling of passion and excitement that playing hockey did,” she says. “Obviously, the gears start turning and you start thinking about where you want to take it and as a female, it’s an exciting time in hockey and I think the opportunities are kind of endless.

“I know I am talking big dreams, but I would love to coach in the NHL or PWHL with the world’s best players. But I am super thankful that I am already working with such elite-level athletes today.”

Alex Boulanger used to spend her working hours waiting for the weekend. To get away from the office and back to the rink. She didn’t care about the level; she just wanted to spend more time around hockey. Then it finally occurred to her that she could. She just had to try.

“What was tough for me was [worrying about] what other people were going to think … but at the end of the day, it’s what you’re going to think if you don’t,” Boulanger said. “Have the courage to just go … often times [success] is just the audacity to go and try.”

So, at 29 years old, the product of Brossard, Quebec, went back to university in pursuit of a career in hockey.

She enrolled at the Université de Montréal and played two seasons with the Carabins, until there was no longer room for her on the roster. Though disappointing at the time, being forced to find a new team (and therefore a new school) was a stroke of luck for Boulanger.

She reached out to Concordia University coach Caroline Ouellette and asked for a tryout. It went well and she was invited to join the team.

“I didn’t know Alex very much, but I had heard great things about her character, her leadership and about her as a teammate,” said Ouellette, a four-time Olympic gold medallist and 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. “I knew she was very involved in the community already as a student-athlete, in coaching and volunteering in different areas of hockey, so for us at Concordia it just made sense to have that type of leadership and character and experience.”

“That’s where the passion and the goal to coach really grew, especially under [Ouellette], who I can now call a good friend and a good mentor to me,” Boulanger said. “She and Julie [Chu] have been very kind to me, took me under their wings.”

U SPORTS transfer rules require a player to redshirt for a season before being eligible with a new school, so by the time Boulanger suited up for the Stingers, she was in her fourth year of university. Which, coincidentally, meant she was eligible for Creating Coaches, a program launched by Hockey Canada and the Hockey Canada Foundation (HCF) in 2021. It is designed to encourage more women into leadership positions by supporting senior student-athletes to try coaching.

“It’s tough when you want to start coaching and you’re a player … you need training, but you also need the connection to a team,” Boulanger said, explaining how the Hockey Canada program facilitates the needs of the student-athlete and the minor hockey teams they coach.

In addition to providing coaching certification, Creating Coaches connects the athletes with a minor hockey organization to build a coaching resume. A financial subsidy from the HCF enables athletes to commit more easily to the whole program by not having to balance part-time work on top of everything else.

“If it wasn’t for the program and the financial support that’s through the Hockey Canada Foundation, there’s no way I could have committed all my free time to a team,” Boulanger said, who spent two seasons with CEGEP teams while finishing up her own schooling.

“You can tell right away as a coach yourself, there’s a certain few that have what it takes to become a coach,” Ouellette explained. “I think Alex always had the intangibles: the work ethic, the passion, the dedication for the game to better herself, to better her teammates and to want to study the game.

“We were really, really so proud that she was chosen as part of the Creating Coaches program because we really believe it’s truly an important program to build and to give opportunities to more student-athletes to start coaching and to develop a passion for it.”

Boulanger graduated from Concordia (and Creating Coaches) in 2023 and felt ready to make a living out of hockey. A longtime friend and former minor hockey teammate, Valérie Bois, had just been named head coach of the women’s hockey team at Bishop’s University, so Boulanger made a call. One brief, formal meeting later, she was a full-time assistant coach.

“I was coaching players I had just played against for the past two seasons,” Boulanger pointed out. “But at some point, you just have to take the opportunity when it comes.”

Boulanger is no stranger to opportunity. With the Stingers, she was part of back-to-back U SPORTS national championship drives, including one title win. With the Gaiters, she was back in the national championship game in just her second season behind the bench. But this time, Boulanger was facing down a friendly foe. Waterloo Warriors assistant coach Emma Cheeseman was in the inaugural Creating Coaches cohort with Boulanger.

“Emma and I, during the starting [lineup] presentation, looked at each other and were just like ‘Let’s go!’” Boulanger remembered. “It was just like coming full circle.”

“We were so very proud for her and Valérie Bois, who is also a great friend in coaching,” Ouellette said. “We felt a lot of pride for Alex in her young coaching career because we know how hard she worked to bring Bishop’s to the level they were playing at when it mattered the most.”

Coming off the national title, Bois was offered a position in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. When it was time to tell Boulanger, she just had one question.

“She gave me a call and said, ‘When would you be ready to be a head coach?’” Boulanger said with a grin.

Boulanger was named Bishop’s head coach for the 2025-26 season. Eight years after starting a journey to break away from a desk, Boulanger was living her dream.

When you’ve spent years playing hockey, it’s hard to imagine there is another—maybe even better—way to engage with the game. At least that’s what Calvin Swustus Jr. used to believe, until he came across the Salish Storm Hockey Association (SSHA) with his youngest daughter, Maleah, four years ago.

“For me, to see it with my own eyes fired me up to want to give back because… hockey saved me,” Swustus says. “Hockey built me to who I am today.”

Today, Swustus is an impactful community leader in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Not only is he a council member of the Cowichan Tribes, but in 2024 he was elected to BC Hockey’s Board of Directors. He has been recognized for his commitment to the game at both the provincial and national level and has been an assistant coach for Maleah’s team. But it is his role as coach and cultural advisor for Salish Storm's Cowichan program that remains his top priority.

“I adjust my schedule around hockey for the kids,” Swustus laughs, explaining he’s changed his work schedule to allow him to make it back in time for the Storm.

“He brings both the cultural aspect to it, but also just that enthusiasm he has for hockey. He’s an absolute lover of the game,” says Alan Macdonald, founder and director of SSHA. “I think that’s really important, having that passion for the game… and a real focus for the kids in his community.”

The SSHA began about six years ago to give Indigenous youth a barrier-free introduction to hockey. There are currently programs running in Nanaimo, Cowichan (Duncan), Saanich and Vancouver with a hope to expand soon.

All the equipment is provided, thanks in part to a generous contribution from the National Hockey League Players’ Association Goals and Dreams fund. Ice time is covered by the association. But the program is so much more than just skates and sticks.

Every ice session starts with a traditional song, drumming or teaching by an elder or a leader. Swustus drums before all of his practices and the players often join in, banging their sticks on the ice. It creates a feeling of community and of family.

“It keeps it encouraging for all players so when they’re super, super new, they don’t feel ashamed that they keep falling,” Swustus says. “I remember my first time stepping on the ice, when I fell, I looked back at my dad and thought, ‘I don’t want to do this,’ but he wouldn’t let me off the ice.

“[I’m] glad he didn’t.”

Swustus credits his father for his introduction to the game and helping him build a thick skin when faced with racial discrimination from opposing teams as the lone Indigenous player on many of his minor hockey teams. While those memories remain, they don’t haunt him. Instead, Swustus reflects on how the Salish Storm is making hockey more accessible for Indigenous youth, with more transitioning into minor hockey every year.

“I was tying up Maleah’s skates when another parent was in the hallway and yelled, ‘Cal! This is our daughter’s first year of minor hockey, all thanks to you guys, Salish Storm,’” Swustus says, adding he often gets called ‘coach’ even when he sees a Storm player away from the rink.

“It really feels honourable, having young individuals who have that respect for you,” Swustus says. “It gives me that fire to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Swustus has big dreams for the SSHA to expand into other First Nations or add development programming (like speed skating) for Indigenous youth in minor hockey programs. Macdonald says these goals make Swustus a real asset to the program, and they’re proud to have him as part of the team.

“Cal and I really share a passion for getting the kids involved,” Macdonald says. “And when the kids see Cal, many of them know him already. They respect him and they like him.”

That’s really what any young player wants. A coach who wants to be there at the rink, with them.

“I remember the awesome coaches I had, and I want to be an awesome coach,” Swustus says with a smile. “I want to be remembered as an awesome coach.”

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and U SPORTS have announced that Creating Coaches, a program designed to increase the number of women coaching hockey in Canada, has expanded to welcome 12 student-athletes as part of its fifth cohort.

The student-athletes will continue to play U SPORTS women’s hockey while serving as assistant coaches for U13, U15 or U18 girls' hockey teams in their respective communities. Each student-athlete will receive training, mentorship, education and an honorarium throughout the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.

This year’s cohort includes student-athletes from 12 U SPORTS women’s hockey programs across all four of its conferences:

• Grace Beer (Dalhousie University, AUS)
• Sarah Bestic (University of Waterloo, OUA)
• Anika Cormier (McGill University, RSEQ)
• Hayleigh Craig (University of Alberta, CW)
• Cailey Davis (Toronto Metropolitan University, OUA)
• Kara den Hoed (Wilfrid Laurier University, OUA)
• Alexa Giantsopoulos (York University, OUA)
• Payton Hargreaves (University of New Brunswick, AUS)
• Kaitlyn McKnight (University of Toronto, OUA)
• Angélique Proulx (University of Ottawa, OUA)
• Cassidy Rhodes (University of British Columbia, CW)
• Jordyn Verbeek (Concordia University, RSEQ)

“We are very excited to expand the Creating Coaches program to welcome even more incredible student-athletes from across U SPORTS this season, thanks to the generous financial support of the Hockey Canada Foundation,” said Marin Hickox, vice-president of women’s and girls’ hockey for Hockey Canada. “Last season set a record for the most women coaching hockey in Canadian history, and we know that programs like Creating Coaches are critical for continuing to support the recruitment, retention and development of women and girls in hockey leadership roles.

To each of our new Creating Coaches participants, congratulations on being nominated and selected to join this program. We cannot wait to follow your journeys behind the bench for years to come.

Creating Coaches was launched in 2021 through a partnership between Hockey Canada, U SPORTS and the Hockey Canada Foundation to provide current student-athletes with opportunities to begin their coaching careers while still playing university women’s hockey.

Since its inception, Creating Coaches has included student-athletes from 23 U SPORTS women’s hockey programs and all four of its conferences.

“During National Coaches Week, it’s fitting to celebrate the investment in people who will shape the future of our sport,” said Pierre Arsenault, chief executive officer of U SPORTS. “Creating Coaches gives U SPORTS athletes a clear, supported runway to develop as coaches and mentors, and we’re proud to expand this program with Hockey Canada and the Hockey Canada Foundation.”

The Creating Coaches selection committee includes representation from Hockey Canada, U SPORTS, Hockey Canada’s Members and the Hockey Canada Foundation Board of Directors.

During National Coaches Week, Hockey Canada is celebrating the positive impact coaches have on athletes in communities from coast to coast to coast, with coaching resources and features shared here.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

Coaches are the backbone of the hockey community. Whether you are a regular behind the bench or it’s your first season as a coach, Hockey Canada has a variety of resources available to help you succeed on your coaching journey.

How do I start my coaching journey?

If you want to get started coaching, make Hockey Canada’s National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) your first stop. This program enables coaches to build their coaching tools and knowledge of the game to work effectively with their players. Hockey Canada offers six coaching clinics and five instructional stream areas of focus.

Those looking to be trained to coach in the Community Sport stream can participate in Coach 1 — Intro to Coach or Coach 2 — Coach Level. NCCP certification is not required at either of these levels; a coach will remain trained indefinitely after completing these streams. Register for a coaching clinic or visit your Member website for more information. New coaches should speak with their Member or minor hockey association to confirm any additional training requirements in your area.

Hockey Canada Learning Lab

Launched in June 2024, the Hockey Canada Learning Lab is an inclusive and user-friendly platform for coaches, officials and safety leaders across the country. The new platform replaces Hockey University and comes equipped with updated content, interactive learning tools, bilingual accessibility and a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Course completion is tied directly to the Hockey Canada Registry to ensure credentials are up to date while allowing coaches to revisit modules and player pathways as needed.

In its first year alone, over 35,000 coaches completed Learning Lab programs, including Coach 1, Coach 2, Development 1, High Performance 1 and Checking.

Skills and drills

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 on the app, with more added throughout the season.

Looking for more drill inspiration? Hockey Canada will frequently post skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the hashtag #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.

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Women in coaching

We Are Coaches

As a free, women-only coach program, We Are Coaches was designed to increase the number of trained women coaches in Canada in order to provide mentors and role models for young participants. The program aims to build infrastructure to support and sustain the participation of girls and women in hockey in Canada, develop women role models and leaders within the hockey community and remove barriers to coaching education for women.

Women Master Coach Developer

Launched in 2019, the Women Master Coach Developer (WMCD) program introduces more hockey coaching programs led by women. The program has equipped 38 coach leaders to not only deliver coach clinics, but also train future facilitators and evaluators in each Member.

To participate in the program, delegates can be nominated by their Member each season. Delegates are required to complete multiple trainings and certifications in the program, and upon successful completion, they will take a leadership role to optimize the delivery of the We Are Coaches program and support women coaches within their communities.

Creating Coaches

In 2021, the Hockey Canada Foundation partnered with U SPORTS to launch Creating Coaches, a program designed to increase the number of women in coaching positions in Canada. This two-year mentorship program places a focus on training, mentoring and empowering women behind the bench.

Candidates for the program are nominated by their U SPORTS coaches to participate in Creating Coaches.

How do I get further coaching support?

Are you looking for more support? Do you have a question about coaching in your community? Hockey Canada and its Members have coaching resources and helpful staff available to help you on your coaching journey.

Click here to find the coaching contact information for your Member.

Do you have more questions about coaching? Visit these Frequently Asked Questions pages to learn more about the following topics:

• Becoming a hockey coach
• National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)