According to a national survey by espnW/Aspen Institute, over 60% of parents believe the quality or behavior of coaches is a big concern in youth sports. Yet, coaches in many sports don’t receive adequate training.

Thankfully, this is an area where hockey has been a leader for decades. USA Hockey provides one of the most comprehensive coach training programs of all youth sports in America. USA Hockey’s Coach Education Program (CEP) offers in-person training at clinics across the country, online age modules ensure coaches receive age-specific training recommendations and there are nearly endless resources (drills, practice plans, training schedules, etc.) available to enhance coaches’ implementation of the knowledge they gain.

In addition to their efforts in coach training, USA Hockey has set the tone for athlete development in America through the implementation of the American Development Model and its principles of age-appropriate development.

Minnesota Hockey takes this standard one step further with its Coach Development Program. This program was developed to supply local coaches and associations with free coaching clinics on more specific topics and skills such as body contact/body checking, off-ice training and much more.

There’s no doubt Minnesota’s force of highly qualified volunteer coaches are a big reason for its nickname as the State of Hockey. Yet, the best coaches in any sport recognize that continued learning and development is the key to future success.

We hope you will join us in helping players and coaches around the state in reaching their potential. For more information or to set up a clinic for the coaches in your community, click here.