The idea for this training program began when our oldest child was finishing his first season of hockey at age 6. He was one of the smallest players on the team and, when the season started, he was the only player who could not skate. His teammates had played the year before, but he had not, as hockey registration fees were more than we could afford.
His grit and tenacity showed through at that young age so that, over just a few months, he went from needing two teammates to hold him up to being able to skate on his own and score a goal. He had incredible teammates and an amazing set of coaches. He was in tears when the season ended.
We told him that his hockey teammates were going to play community soccer or baseball and that he could choose one of those to play. In the determined voice that only a 6-year-old has, he said he was only ever going to play hockey and didn’t want to do anything else. We said okay, but that he would have to wait until September.
He spent that summer dragging his hockey net on and off the road for every passing car, and neighbours started parking further away from our house. A 6-year-old’s shot might not have the force of an NHL player, but it is wildly inaccurate! (We spent the summer hoping we wouldn’t have to replace the neighbours’ windows.)
When September came, he was back on the ice and so incredibly happy with his coaches and teammates again. This time when the season ended, we told him again that he could play baseball or soccer, but once more we were told very strongly: “NO! I ONLY PLAY HOCKEY!”
At the end of the regular season, there were spring teams available to play on, but unfortunately that was something we could not afford. He had big plans for the next season—he wanted to try out for the competitive team. He said he wanted to do summer hockey and spring hockey so he could be ready for tryouts. We had to explain to him that we could not afford that.
What we could do to help him was to make an exercise program for the summer so he could train off ice at home, just like his NHL heroes. He agreed, and we were able to purchase a pair of inline skates from a big-box store. He spent all summer skating around the neighbourhood while we jogged alongside him. We tired out on those long jogs well before he did—he would go for hours at a time and in all weather conditions.
We gave him a simple workout plan of a few basic moves along with some stickhandling and shooting drills. That was his whole summer: inline skating, off-ice workouts at home, and firing pucks in the driveway.
When September came and tryouts happened, he had to face the first of many disappointments—he didn’t make the competitive team. Still, he had a great recreational league hockey season with his dad as the head coach, and the team ended up winning their division.
He remained as determined as ever to make the competitive team, so he spent the following summer again inline skating, following a basic child-friendly workout program at home, and shooting pucks. There just wasn’t room in the family budget for extra hockey or training. With three children and all the costs of raising a family, it was hard enough to afford regular season hockey registration and equipment; there certainly wasn’t any money for more than that.
This time, when September came, he was successful at tryouts and made the competitive team.
This is how our program came to be. We lived in a small rural community without easy access to training facilities or skills coaches. We had a very tight family budget and a child who really wanted to improve his skills. Coach Dave had the ability to help him with hockey skills, and Coach Elizabeth had the ability to help him with off-ice training.
Not every family is able to provide that for their child, and we want to help families and players like ours. Every kid deserves a chance to improve, and with a little guidance and grit, who knows how far they can go?
Coach Dave has been involved with hockey since he started playing at the age of 5. He began his first season on a recreational league team and, with hard work, dedication, and excellent sportsmanship skills, he was soon promoted over the years to team Captain at the Rep/Tier 1 level. He played throughout his childhood and teen years, as well as continuing to play at university.
His favourite youth hockey memory is scoring the legendary game-winning goal with a natural hat trick to win Provincials.
He has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be an assistant coach, head coach, and trainer for both of his sons’ hockey teams over the years, and continues to volunteer wherever his coaching skills are needed—either on the bench with his sons, or helping his daughter gain confidence in her mountain biking and snowboarding skills.
Coach Dave is especially proud of the work ethic and determination his sons are learning from hockey, and is enjoying supporting them on their journey from not being able to stand up on their skates to now skating at the AAA level and playing at the Alberta Provincial Championships and Alberta Winter Games.
When not at an arena, Coach Dave can be found hiking and mountain biking with his family, and rollerblading with his dog.
Notable Certifications & Continuing Education:
Elizabeth began her hockey journey as a supportive sister, cheering on her brother at his childhood hockey games. She quickly grew to love the sport, and one of her most treasured possessions became a Manon Rheaume hockey jersey she received for Christmas.
While not a hockey player herself, Elizabeth was a long-distance runner and a highly successful Highland dancer, competing at the provincial, national, and international levels as well as teaching. She eventually opened her own small studio where she taught dance fitness to children ages 3–13.
While teaching children’s fitness, she quickly realized that children in all sports could benefit from more personalized one-on-one training, focusing on the basics of physical literacy to build a strong foundation for both higher competitive sport levels and sport-specific training.
When Elizabeth is not cheering on her three children at their sporting events, she can be found hiking and mountain biking with her family, leading children’s fitness classes, and continuing her education in children’s and teen fitness training.
Notable Certifications & Continuing Education:
