Season Plan 2016-2017 Richmond Minor Atom A Hockey Team

Coaches: Michael Basford Aaron Merrick

Michael Basford

• Richmond native for 26yrs currently living in Whiterock B.C.

• Grew up playing with Richmond Minor PeeWee through Bantam as a defenseman

• Moved on to play 3 years of Jr. B with the Grandview Steelers of the PIJHL

• Final 2 years were split with the Langley Hornets (BCHL) and then Delta Icehawks; Won Provincial Championship 2005-06 with Delta

• Turned immediately to officiating in the PIJHL, BCHL, and WHL.

• Played with the Whitehorse Huskies Men Senior AAA hockey team 2010-2011

• Coached first hockey team in 2012-2013 with Craig Thomas

• Atom A2 Blues: League, and Playoff Banner winners

• Moved on to become assistant coach of the Jr. B Delta Icehawks for the 2013-2014 2014-2015 seasons

• Back to Richmond to coach the Peewee A Hockey Team 2015-2016

• 2016-2017 Richmond Atom A Hockey Team

2016-2017 Season Philosophy

Philosophy • My philosophy as a coach is to create and environment

that is both positive and valuable to the learning process of the players.

• I want the players to know that when they come to the rink they can be open and honest with teammates and coaches. Feel comfortable, so they can ask questions, and learn. I want them to develop not only their hockey skills and sense here, but social and life skills too. A player will not learn when they are scared to ask questions!

• I want the players to learn and understand what it means to become a TEAM (family) To understand that every player in the room has a responsibility and a role to play for the team to be successful.

• Uptempo aggressive team that always pursues the puck. Hard workers taking time and space away from opponents.

• Team work and work ethic will be strongly encouraged, as the year goes on I believe this formula is what a winning team needs to believe in to be successful. Along with every player improving both physically and mentally as the season progresses, we to want to be peaking at the right time. (end of season/playoffs and tournaments)

• Ultimately my goal is to properly prepare your son/daughter for the next level and beyond.

Expectations

• To be a competitive Tier 1 hockey team!

• For players that make the team, it is expected they compete and work hard every time they are at the rink I want this team to pride its self on hard work!

• Have a willingness and work ethic to learn and to get better at all times. On the ice and in the classroom.

• I want this team to become a tough match up every time we are on the ice.

Required Time Commitment • 2 practice times a week with the Atom A team, one will be an early morning weekday practice

• 1 skills development practice a week with a skills coach (Tuesday?)

• One-two games a week (Sunday Afternoon) • Dryland training once a week (Russell Sean Fitness) • Video 3-4 times a month • Early in the season there will be team building

exercises after practice. • Looking at 4 tournaments throughout the year, most

likely 3 local and one on the road.

How will Practice Operate? • Practice will be up-tempo and focus predominantly on

skill development , ultimately it boils down to who can skate, stickhandle and pass a puck the best. Be able to execute the fundamentals regularly.(repetitions)

• 10-15min position specific skills will be worked i.e. defenseman/forward/goalies on their own

• Tactical skills and systems will be also be introduced early i.e. 2 on 1’s 3 on 2’s, forchecking, defense system, power play, penalty kill

• Address specifics from previous games

Game management • Ice time will be split equally • Shift times 30-70seconds • There will be powerplay and penalty kill units.

Everyone will have a shot. • Late in close games we will use situational coaching

tactics to put the team in the best position to win • Lazy penalties will not be tolerated and can lead to loss

of ice time • Aggressive, up-tempo style, all 5 players on the ice

involved. i.e d-man jumping up, always in pressuring the puck

Roster size

• Looking at roughly 15-17 players • 9 forwards • 6 defenseman • 2 goalies • Everyone that makes this team will be involved, the only

way to get better is to play !

Month to Month Breakdown

August 31st • Try-outs begin • Player evaluations begin September- • Exhibition and Tier, Evaluations continue • Team selection, Introductions, meetings • Team building begins… What's our identity going to

be? Fun off ice exercises after practice, team dinner? • Video session will start and be done often at the

beginning of the season. 10-15min classroom sessions. • A simple offensive and defensive system will be

introduced

October • Player/parent meetings….start of regular season

• Major focus is honing and teaching individual skills.

• Individual skills will be the main development point

most of the season. Kids needs to touch the puck.

• Team building continues(off ice), stress is on trust and togetherness

• Video will continue and off ice training will start

• Tournament Icebreaker??? Oct. 7th 2016

November-December • The focus continues on team concept and hard work.

Continue to grow and gain trust in teammates, while developing individual tactics and skills

• Steady improvement of team systems, getting better everyday as a group

• November Tournament…Burnaby Nov. 21st 2016 • Video and dryland training continue

• Mid-season player meetings (update)

• Christmas tournament… Vancouver T-Birds Dec 28th

2016

January • Team should be gelling as a confident, well

rested team after break

• Starting to peak, should be playing our best or close to at this point

• Develop and hone individual skill and team tactics

• Continue with video and off ice training

• Team systems should starting to become second nature

• Preparing for the playoffs.

February-March • Team should be a tight knit group at this point of

the year

• Team should be peaking and playing their best hockey of the season

• Playoffs

• Tournaments….Travel???? Phoenix Feb 1st?? Richmond Minor Spring Tournament

• Wind down/ reflect on the season, Exit meetings