Recently, several members of the Minnesota Hockey coaching leadership group were able to attend an American Development (ADM) Symposium in Pittsburgh to learn and share ideas to better the developmental experience for young players in Minnesota.  Approximately 100 youth hockey directors and program leaders from across the country attended the Symposium. There were lecture presentations as well as on and off-ice demonstrations by some of the world's leaders in youth athlete and hockey development.
“The ADM Symposium is a great example of how USA Hockey has put educating coaches at the forefront of youth hockey in America” said Christian Koelling, USA Hockey Coach-In-Chief for the Minnesota District.  “USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey have invested in coaches to attend this annual event so they can educate other coaches in communities throughout Minnesota on the principles and benefits of the ADM.”
 
The ADM provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to hockey associations across America to help more kids play, love and excel at hockey.  The ADM utilizes Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles as its framework.  LTAD principles are rooted in successful athletic programs throughout the world. 
 
"It is important for our coaching leaders to be trained and educated on the latest techniques and principals in LTAD that are available through USA Hockey's ADM so we can continue to stay on the forefront of the development of our hockey players” said Mike MacMillan, Director of the Reebok Minnesota Hockey High Performance Programs and the USA Hockey National Coach-in-Chief.
 
Minnesota Hockey coaches that attended the Symposium were:
Mike Taylor - Eagan High School Head Coach  and MHCA Board of Directors Coaching Education Director
Chris Lonke - New Prague High School Head Coach and MHCA Board of Directors ADM Liaison and Minnesota Hockey/USA Hockey High School Representative.
Roger Mischke - Minnesota Hockey District 12 Head Coach( USA Hockey CEP Instructor) and Grand Rapids Youth Coach
Dick Emahiser - Providence Academy Assistant Coach and D6 Assistant Head Coach (USA Hockey CEP Instructor) and Assistant Director of Reebok High Performance Fall Bantam Program.
Scott Macho - Rosemount High School Head Coach - MHCA Board of Directors, Section Rep and Reebok High Performance Program Coach and Evaluator.
Terry Evavold - St.John's University assistant coach and USA Hockey Associate Coach-In-Chief ADM/ACE and Reebok High Performance HBF 15 Program Coordinator.
Mike MacMillan - Director Reebok Minnesota Hockey High Performance Programs and USA Hockey National Coach-In-Chief
 
For more information about the American Development Model and Long Term Athlete Development, please visit www.usahockey.com.