USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey take pride in being leaders across all youth sports in developing coaches through education, training and communication of best practices. The USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP), led by Minnesota’s State and District Coach-in-Chiefs, hosts nearly 100 coaching clinics each year with the goal of ensuring youth hockey coaches in Minnesota are prepared to create a safe and positive learning environment for all participants. 

If you’re interested in coaching this season, here’s a check list for you to follow, as well as details on two coach development opportunities taking place this fall.

1. Register with USA Hockey

2. CEP Clinics

Dates, times and locations for over 60 CEP clinics are now available on the USA Hockey website. Clinics will be held through December at locations around Minnesota.  Remember, coaches must attend one clinic each year until they at least reach a Level 3 certification by USA Hockey, and they must attend a clinic prior to December 31st. To find a clinic near you, click here.

3. Age-Specific Online Modules

USA Hockey’s age-specific coaching modules provide coaches with everything they need to know for their team’s age group.  The modules for the 2017-18 season are available now.  Starting this season, coaches must complete the appropriate module(s) for their age level(s) prior to taking the ice.

4. Screening and SafeSport

Coaches are required to complete the online Minnesota Hockey background screening and SafeSport Training every two years.   Both the screening and SafeSport training must be completed prior to stepping on the ice with your team.

5. Concussion Training

All coaches are required to receive training regarding concussions, including the effects and risks of continuing to play after receiving a concussion.  Each coach shall complete and provide a coach concussion acknowledgement form to the association prior to participating in any team activities. Training can be completed through USA Hockey’s online age modules, the Center for Disease Control, the National Federation of State High School Associations, or training provided through other youth sport programs.

State Of Hockey Coaching Summit Set for Sept. 22-23

State of Hockey, in partnership with the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association (MHCA), Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey, will host its second annual High Performance Coaching Summit in at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul on September 22-23.

The State of Hockey High Performance Coaching Summit is designed to provide the state’s high school and youth hockey coaches with training and insight from the top coaches in the game. Participating coaches can receive Level 4 CEP credit through USA Hockey for attending.

Speakers are set to include college coaches Scott Bell (Minnesota), Tom Serratore (Bemidji State), Brett Larson (Minnesota Duluth) and Mark Strobel (Wisconsin), Minnesota Wild player development director Brad Bombardir, USA Hockey ADM regional manager Guy Gosselin, USA Hockey manager of girls player development Kristen Wright and more.

For more details, click here.

Two Goalie Coaching Clinics Scheduled in October

Two USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) High Performance Goalie Coaching Clinics, designed to teach youth hockey coaches of all skill levels how to effectively work with and develop goalies, are scheduled for October 14 at Heritage Sports Center in Duluth and October 15 at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center.

The clinics include classroom presentations and an on-ice session where participants will observe several demonstration stations and get a chance to try various goalie-specific skating movements.

Scheduled presenters include Phil Osaer, USA Hockey, ADM Manager for Goaltending, Mike MacMillan, USA Hockey's National Coach-in-Chief, Steve Carroll, Minnesota Hockey Goalie Development Coordinator and Justin Johnson, goalie coach for the University of Minnesota men's hockey team.  Other presenters will include college and high school goalie coaches. Coaches should bring skates and gloves and must wear a helmet during the on-ice session.

For more details, including eligibility for CEP credit, click here.