In the world of youth hockey, the race to the top is well-documented. Between $500 composite sticks, elite spring leagues, and private power-skating coaches that charge by the minute, the path to the competitive ranks can feel like it’s paved with gold. For our family starting in a small rural community, the barrier to entry wasn’t just a challenge; it became the catalyst for a revolution in how we train the next generation of players.
The story of Made 4 Kids (M4K) Hockey Training doesn’t begin in a modern training center, or even on the ice. It begins in a driveway, with a six-year-old boy, a pair of inline skates, and a dream that outpaced his parents’ bank account.
When the “M4K” story began, our oldest son was the quintessential underdog. Starting a year later than his peers because of registration costs, he began his first season as the only kid on the ice who couldn’t stand up. By the end of that winter, fueled by his love for hockey, he was scoring goals and took significant steps forward in his development; but when the final whistle blew, our family faced a familiar crossroads.
While teammates headed off to expensive spring programs, the message at home was different: “We can’t afford that.”
Most stories might end there, but this one was just finding its legs. Our boy’s response? A summer spent dragging a net onto the road, and firing wildly inaccurate pucks that kept the neighbors on high alert.
Seeing our son’s obsession, we (Coach Dave and Trainer Elizabeth) realized that if we couldn’t buy development, we would have to build it. We combined our unique skill sets to create a “blue-collar” training regimen. Dave brought the hockey IQ and technical skill, while Elizabeth, a former high-level competitive dancer with training experience, focused on the physical literacy required to move like an athlete.
We traded expensive ice time for long jogs alongside our son as he flew through the neighborhood on rollerblades. We replaced high-priced clinics with a simple, but rigorous, dryland workout plan.
The results spoke for themselves. After one year of being cut from the competitive team, our son returned the following season—stronger, faster, and more disciplined from his “driveway” training—and earned his spot. Today, that same player is competing at the AAA level, the Alberta Provincial Championships, Alberta Winter Games, and receiving invites from AJHL teams.
We believe that every kid deserves a chance to improve, and that philosophy is the heartbeat of M4K. Recognizing that not every parent has a background in strength and conditioning or coaching, we turned our personal survival guide into a business to help kids achieve their goals; and with a little guidance and grit, who knows how far they can go?
By leveraging tools like video analysis and the Trainero app, M4K provides the private coach and personal trainer experience without the premium price tag. We focus on the basics: grit, physical literacy, and the understanding that an elite player isn’t made in a fancy facility—they’re made in the hours spent working, often in their driveway or basement.
In an era where youth sports can feel like a country club, Made 4 Kids Hockey is a reminder that the loudest sound in your hockey journey doesn’t have to be a cheering crowd; it can be a puck hitting a garage door in the middle of July.
In addition to helping players grow their skills through video analysis, Coach Dave is proud to work with Sports Evaluations as a hockey evaluator. Coach Dave assists minor hockey organizations in assessing players skating, shooting, passing, puck control, and hockey IQ using an unbiased scoring system to form teams across various ages and skill levels.
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:
