posted 02/05/2010
Last Tuesday over 30 current and former Middlesex Red Devil's and CT Clipper coaches attended the first coaches meeting of the newly named The Whalers program.
I was very encouraged by the turnout and participation and commitment going forward of all who attended.
The "One Program, One Team, One Goal", was a constant theme and I personally left very encouraged at how motivated and positive everyone was to help work forward together to ensure our kids have the best program and experience that we can provide.
Since the meeting I have also found my way to having several informal discussions with many of you and I am continuously energized by those willing to help us in our common goal to operate the top youth hockey program in the country.
I'd liked to share the following directives, opportunities and action plan we intend to take moving forward.
1) My role will be that of supporting and directing the coaching program. In saying that I have made the decision not to coach an individual team next season.
I feel that I can best help the organization and succeed in our common goals by attending games and practices lending support and providing guidance when asked or needed.
I intend to have an advisory group, made up of among others the coaches from the three local high school hockey programs in our two facilities. I have spoken with them all and they are all excited and willing to help where appropriate.
We currently house Rocky Hill/Middletown, East Catholic and Xavier between Champions and Wesleyan. Our increasing relationships with those three programs will help allow our players to succeed in their career progression should they choose the high school route.
I also hope to have two assistant coaching directors named soon that can me better carry out our shared mission. I feel that by having someone there at the rink(s) as much as possible to answer questions and/or help situations is always a positive.
2)For the upcoming season it is our goal to have 3 teams at each age classification with one exception that being Midget where we hope to field two teams. The teams will be classified in our organization as A, A1 and B.
All of the teams will compete in the CHC divisions. The A teams will participate in outside leagues like the Mass Select League or have other scheduling alliances depending on the number of games our CHC commitment requires. The A1 and B teams outside scheduling alliances or leagues will be decided after the makeup and wishes of these teams is better understood.
It is the goal of all on the board to provide top quality affordable and appropriate scheduling opportunities to ALL of our teams at every level as a part of their positive progression, enjoyment and development.
3) The coaching applications I have received to date are both numerous and impressive. Knowing we can look forward to having top quality coaches possessing advanced hockey knowledge combined impeccable character and caring makes all of our jobs easier.
I expect all but our Bantam A and Midget teams to be head and assistant coached by the parents of our players as I see both highly qualified and motivated positive people populating the applications that have come my way.
I will be moving toward naming the Squirt A, Peewee A, Bantam A and Midget coaches shortly. It has been my experience that at these levels the parents and players demand advance knowledge of who the coaches are that will be guiding their children for the upcoming season.
I will do my best but I may be unable to name the A1 and B coaches until the player makeup of those teams is decided at tryouts. I do intend to have a short list based on potential player and coaching team scenarios.
4) We are getting the tryout dates out to you all as soon as we find out from CHC what is an appropriate starting date. It looks like the last 7 or so days of March will be an early approximate time frame. We will try to be accommodating to families vacations plans and schedules in order to ensure all can attend and participate.
6) I will be attending as many games and practices as my schedule allows over the next 6 or so weeks in order to get to know you all better. Please feel free to contact me
, or just stop me in the hall way as feedback is yet another way we can progressively and positively move forward.
Thanks also again to all who have worked so hard to help to make this happen!
