Coach of the Month - December

Chris is currently coaching with the Trails West Novice 3 Red and GHC Senior Timbits 1 hockey teams. He has been coaching hockey for three years, with 2019-20 being his first time as a head coach.

"Both on and off the ice, Chris has excelled at his level of organization as a head coach," said the Team Manager who nominated Chris. "From his well thought out and developed practice plans - to his focus on the kids on the ice, always taking the time to engage in each member helping to develop their skills."

Away from the rink, Chris also helps coach his kids’ T-ball and soccer teams in the summer.

"I enjoy the challenge of getting a group to work together and seeing the improvement in individual and team skills over a season." said Chris. "My goal is to work hard to ensure that each player grows both on and off the ice throughout a season."

The Coach of the Month award is presented every month during the Minor Hockey season, based on nominations submitted to Hockey Alberta.

One minor hockey coach will be selected each month from October through March and will receive a coaching package from Players Bench Team Apparel valued at over $500, which includes a helmet, gloves, track suit, coach bag, puck bag, rink board, and coaching resources.

Nomination Form >

Episode Two features Olympic gold medalist Ben Hebert, and Canmore Eagles Head Coach Andrew Milne, and focuses on the importance of being a multi-sport athlete.

Parent Engagement Guide >

Both the Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Models recommend allowing young athletes to participate in multiple sports rather than specializing at an early age. Participating in multiple sports allows young athletes to learn a variety of motor skills, hone them efficiently and increase their physical literacy. It teaches them diverse movement patterns, varied skill sets and cognitive understanding of game sense.

Encouraging your child to participate in a variety of athletic activities decreases the risk of burnout due to stress, decreased motivation and lack of enjoyment. A study by Ohio State University found that children who specialized early in a single sport led to higher rates of adult physical inactivity. Those who commit to one sport at a young age are often the first to quit, and suffer a lifetime of consequences. Athletes in the study who specialized were 70% to 93% more likely to be injured than children who played multiple sports.

For more information on multisport, and for other parent tips, head to hockeyalberta.ca.

RED DEER - Registration is now open for 2005-born male athletes to participate in one of three regional selection camps for the 2020 Alberta Cup.

The Alberta Cup is being held at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer, April 29 - May 3.

Register >

NOTES:

1. Registration is limited at each position at each camp.
2. Only Hockey Canada/Hockey Alberta Registered Athletes are eligible to register.

All regional camps will take place March 27-29 at the following locations (dates and locations subject to change):

Calgary Regional Camp - East Calgary Twin Arenas
Red Deer Regional Camp - Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
Spruce Grove Regional Camp - Spruce Grove Agrena

Alberta Cup Regional Directory >

If you are unsure in which region you reside, or have any other questions, please contact Mike Kraichy at [email protected] prior to registration.

2020 Alberta Cup staff announced

Hockey Alberta is pleased to announce the staff for each team competing in the 2020 Alberta Cup. A director of operations, coach mentor, head coach, two assistant coaches, and one trainer were selected for each of the six teams.

2020 Team Staff >