At the beginning of each school year, Ryan Miller delivers the same speech to his Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA) students at Osoyoos Elementary School in Osoyoos, B.C.

“We talk about what a privilege it is to be a part of an organization like Hockey Canada,” says Miller, who has helmed the hockey academy at Osoyoos Elementary for over a decade. “It is one of the top sports organizations in the world, and if you doubt that, go visit the [Hockey Canada] Hall of Champions in Calgary.

“I tell them that Hockey Canada creates a culture that values hard work and respect for every individual at the table.”

This past June, the national sports organization made a momentous step to forge a safer, more respectful and inclusive on-ice culture in Canada. Approval was granted for the adoption of Section 11 – Maltreatment in the Hockey Canada rulebook, which brings all forms of mistreatment under one umbrella. There are clear penalties for inappropriate behaviour from players and team officials.

There is also a new reporting system that will make it easier to report discriminatory incidents. Hockey Canada, like everyone, wants rinks free of discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, skin colour, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

“Hockey Canada has made a firm commitment to making the game safe and inclusive for all who wish to participate, and the introduction of Section 11 provides our 13 Members, local hockey associations and officials across the country with clearly-defined criteria for enforcing rules related to many different forms of inappropriate conduct,” Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney said when the rule was announced. “We believe this is a great step towards ensuring we limit the number of incidents that occur on and off the ice and will allow players of all ages to enjoy our game free from abuse, discrimination, racism and all forms of maltreatment.”

These changes delight Miller.

“We are seeing a change in what is accepted and not accepted. It’s nice you are seeing changes at the elite level and it is starting to trickle down to the grassroots. I still think we have a long way to go, but I do believe with so many things happening around the world with Truth and Reconciliation, and Black Lives Matter, that more awareness is out there and people are seeking to understand.”

Inclusiveness has always been a bedrock principle of HCSA institutions from coast to coast to coast, and it is an important aspect for fostering a positive culture for participants.

David Ruggiero, the long-time HCSA coordinator for Central Okanagan Public Schools until 2019, has seen students from a variety of backgrounds come through the program.

“From the start, we had a lot of international students participate. This year we have one [Mexican player] who played roller hockey before, so he is learning ice hockey this year and is doing a good job.

“The way we start the year is a talk in the classroom about the privilege of being in this program and the privilege of travelling away from the school to participate in the program. While you are at the arena, you are still a member of School District 23, so the rules and principles that apply in the classroom apply here.”

One protocol installed in the Central Okanagan Public Schools system to deal with any form of bullying in the HCSA program is having the vice-principal of each school involved in the disciplinary process, if necessary. This ensures the school’s senior administration leaders are invested in ensuring the culture within school walls, and the culture at the arena remain in alignment.

Ultimately, inspiring students to invest in the notion of being standard-bearers of respect is key to inspiring HCSA programs devoid of maltreatment, says Miller.

“We talk about how we create a culture of safety and respect. Every day we don’t really get to choose what happens to us, but we get to choose our attitude and effort, and that dictates what we do with what happens to us.

“We want to create a thinking culture. They are the bosses of themselves, so they get to decide if they want to follow me or not. I talk about how I hope to have proven myself to be trustworthy, organized and hardworking, and that I am someone who they want to follow. We want to be thinking when we watch drills, and we want to think about how to support our teammates positively.”

When she was 16 years old, Kristen Campbell made the big move from her hometown of Brandon, Man., to attend Shaftesbury High School, a Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA) in Winnipeg.

Eight years later, the goaltender is competing for a spot on Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team roster. Campbell took time out from her centralization schedule to talk about her HCSA experience and how she continues to be impacted by her time in the program.

Hockey Canada (HC): Why did you decide to attend an HCSA?

Kristen Campbell (KC): I moved away from home to do it because I knew I would get maximum development there. I was able to practice every single day on the ice with our team and hockey was counting as a credit there too, so it was awesome because my gym class was out on the ice. I had my goals set on playing [NCAA] Division 1 hockey in the [United States] and then also making Team Canada, so that was going to be a step in the right direction… I had some great coaches out there, who had a lot of experience with girls getting into post-secondary, Division 1 schools. So definitely a lot of factors as to why I made the move, but I knew it was going to be crucial in helping my game develop and then ultimately achieving those goals.

HC: How did your experience at a HCSA prepare you for playing in the NCAA and with Team Canada?

KC: There’s a lot of things I learned from it… I think the biggest thing was just time-management skills. We were travelling a lot, but practicing every day on the ice; it was quite a lot, but it just prepared me for college and that lifestyle. I think that being able to incorporate a heavy training schedule at a young age really helped me when I hit the college ranks and then obviously, helped me prepare for my opportunities when I got invited to Team Canada camp as well.

HC: What’s your favourite memory from attending an HCSA?

KC: I would say all the times I got to spend with my team. Not just at the rink, but away from it too… It was just so much fun. Obviously, I was going to school with all the girls and then you’re practicing with them. It’s just the ultimate hockey experience. Before, I wasn’t going to school with the people I played hockey with. So, I think just enjoying every moment, whether it was in a classroom when you’re doing schoolwork or in the locker room, road trips, just everything. It was really great to be able to always be with your team.

HC: Who was a coach or instructor that really made an impact in your life during your time at Shaftesbury?

KC: My goalie coach was Gord Woodhall. He coaches with the [National Women’s Under-18 Team] now. I hadn’t had a full-time goalie coach before, and he was able to come out to all of our practices and always had a plan for me, development-wise. We always had something I was working on that day. He was my psychology teacher too, and my math teacher. He was really great with the psychological side of the game. He really helped me mentally as a goaltender. We still keep in touch regularly… he definitely had a big impact and still continues to keep having a big impact on me.

An exchange student from Kierspe, Germany, Laura Toews wanted to experience a little bit more of Canada.

So she enrolled in the Hockey Canada Skills Academy program at Morden Collegiate Institute in Manitoba, getting onto the ice for the first time with the help of her teachers and family, who helped gather all the equipment she needed.

Laura’s positive attitude and eagerness to get better was what made teaching her so much fun. What were her favourite parts of the HCSA experience?

“I’ll never forget the first day finishing a drill, being last, and when I stopped the rest of the class clapped their sticks on the ice for me. My face was red, but I was proud of myself.”

“I won’t forget the first time I tricked the goalie and scored my first goal.” “Looking at my skills test results and seeing huge improvements from the beginning of the year.”

“Discovering that ‘helmet hair’ actually exists.

With a confidence she didn’t have at the start of the program, Laura is eager to get back home to Germany at the end of the school year and share her new-found love for Canada’s game with her family.

And what will her lasting memory of the HCSA be?

“I feel like this is suitable for everyone who wants to learn how to play hockey, but also wants to strengthen their character,” she says. “Someone who is wanting to challenge themselves and build up their patience and confidence. Someone who likes to have fun and likes to feel like you belong to a team. And if you come out learning a few hockey skills, then that is a bonus.”

The Grade 9 students and staff from the Hockey Canada Skills Academy at Martin Collegiate in Regina, Sask., travelled to Alberta from April 24-26 for their annual athletic/educational experience.

The co-ed program spent one of their days in Calgary and experienced a fun and challenging on-ice skills session at the WinSport Canada facility, led by Hockey Canada staff. The students were also given a tour of the Performance Training Centre at WinSport, including a presentation on the world-class facility by the professional and well-prepared staff at the PTC.

Students were also toured through the Hockey Canada facilities, experiencing what it feels like to sit in the same dressing room as national team athletes, along with stops in the Team Canada gym and Hall of Champions, looking over the history and successes of Canadian hockey.

The day ended with an educational tour of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, which houses so many national treasures.

The students and staff from Martin Collegiate would like to thank Hockey Canada and WinSport Canada for a wonderful experience!

The moment everyone had waited for – days, weeks, even months – finally arrived.

At 6 a.m. on March 12, we departed from the Okanagan, with so many fun activities on the itinerary. The 10-hour bus ride was long, but there was always something to do; it gave us the opportunity to get to know our classmates better.

The highlight of the first day was definitely the stop for a skate on Lake Louise. What a beautiful spot! When we arrived at the hotel, everyone had tons of energy. We decided who was sleeping where and we were set.

On Tuesday we had an ice session at West Edmonton Mall, which was super cool. We also went to the World Waterpark at the mall (which was gigantic), had a team dinner at Boston Pizza, and capped off the day at the movie theatre.

Wednesday started at the University of Alberta to play some soccer and football, before we were treated to the San Jose Sharks’ morning skate. It was so cool to have the arena all to ourselves for that!

We then headed to Galaxyland for some more fun and bonding with the group. That night, we were back at Rogers Place for the Oilers-Sharks game, which was a thrilling 4-3 win for San Jose. Watching an NHL game live and with all your friends is quite the experience!

After the stay in Edmonton, I didn’t want to leave for Kelowna … but every good thing has to come to an end.

I have been part of the Hockey Canada Skills Academy for the past two years. It is so much better than a regular gym class, because everyone is athletic and willing to play any sport. On the ice, so many of us have greatly improved on our skills. Thanks to everyone with the HCSA who made the trip possible.

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.