RED DEER - Hockey Alberta’s February Coach of the Month, sponsored by Players Bench Team Apparel, is Jason Rietveld of the Edmonton Adaptive Sports Association (EASA).
Jason is currently the Head Coach of the EASA Storm B Sledge Hockey team, as well as the Strathcona Novice Major Warriors. This is his second year as the Head Coach of the Storm, but he has been with the EASA for five years, the first three as an Assistant Coach.
"Jason has been an integral part of the sledge hockey community as well as the minor hockey community in Josephburgh and Strathcona County," said the parent who nominated Jason for the award. "He is extremely busy; a dairy farmer along with three kids, and he coaches both sledge hockey and minor hockey. He has dedicated hours of his time to volunteer with kids and adults with disabilities to allow them to participate in adaptive sport. He is very reliable, dedicated and committed to both the sledge hockey program and the minor hockey association."
"I find great satisfaction when the players grasp what you have taught them, and you can see the improvement in their game and level of play," said Jason. "I believe in hard work and 100% effort from the whole team, regardless of skill level. I teach that it takes all six players on the ice to win a hockey game."
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.
The 2018-19 deadline for Coach of the Month nominations is Friday, March 15. All coaches who are nominated will be eligible to win one of two year-end prize packages, which include tickets to a Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers game.
Nomination Form >
