Coach Philosophy
At FMMHA, our volunteer coaches embrace a philosophy rooted in positive mentorship, player development, and leadership. They are committed to being role models who foster growth both on and off the ice, ensuring equitable play and creating a fun, rewarding environment. Coaches uphold values of respect, integrity, and reliability, treating everyone with dignity and adhering to the association's standards. Our goal is to inspire, motivate, and develop future leaders, with the understanding that being a good person is just as important as being a skilled player.er.
As a coach with FMMHA, I commit to the following principles:
- I WILL be a positive role model and mentor for my team.
- I WILL prioritize player growth and development, both on and off the ice.
- I WILL act with respect at all times toward players, families, coaches, officials, and others.
- I WILL treat everyone with dignity and fairness, fostering an environment of mutual respect for all.
- I WILL uphold the integrity of our association by adhering to the FMMHA Code of Conduct.
- I WILL follow through on commitments made to players, families, and the association, ensuring consistency and trust.
- I WILL recognize the responsibility of shaping future leaders—knowing that being a good person is more important than being the best player.
- I WILL strive to inspire, motivate, and make hockey fun for every player.
- I WILL maintain a strong work ethic by planning effectively, communicating clearly, and holding myself accountable.
- I WILL commit to continuous development, staying current with coaching qualifications and seeking personal growth.
- I WILL hold myself to a higher standard, embracing my role as a leader and setting an example for players, parents, and staff.
- I WILL accept that officiating in hockey can be imperfect due to referee experience, the complexity of the rules, and subjective interpretation—and I will manage my actions and responses appropriately.
- I WILL utilize the principles of the 24-hour rule to support constructive communication when addressing concerns.
Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Helmet Policy
Fort McMurray Minor Hockey and Hockey Alberta requires all Participants to wear a properly fastened helmet while on the ice surface during any training or instructional ice times.
Please Review the Hockey Alberta Proper Use of a Helmet
FMMHA will be strictly enforcing the Helmet Policy.
Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Helmet Policy
Coaching Requirements for FMMHA
All coaches in FMMHA are required to complete the following:
The Respect in Sport Activity Leader/Coach Program educates coaches and activity leaders to recognize, understand, and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. It is crucial for creating a safe, healthy, and respectful environment for all participants.
Important: The Speak Out program is no longer recognized as a valid certification for coaches.
Certification Validity: Certification in the Respect in Sport program is valid for up to four seasons and expires on May 1.
Criminal Record Checks for Coaches and Staff
All coaches, assistant coaches, and off-ice staff must have up-to-date criminal record checks (CRC) on file with Fort McMurray Minor Hockey. The check must include the vulnerable sector.
To obtain a letter for completing a CRC at the local detachment, please contact your Division Director or Hockey Operations Manager - Roland Saunders @ hockeyops@fmmha.com
Hockey Alberta requires that at least one official on the bench have Online Safety certification. However, due to the shiftwork nature of our community, where assistant coaches may frequently cover games, FMMHA mandates that all coaches and managers complete Online Safety certification. This ensures that our players can participate in all games safely.
Certification Details:
- Validity: The Online Safety certification is valid for three seasons from the date of completion, expiring on September 1. Certification must be renewed every two years, either by retaking the online course or applying for Level 2 status (with appropriate qualifications).
- Course Content: This four-hour online program covers team safety, injury recognition, the Fair Play Code, the Code of Ethics, safety at the rink, injury management, and the Emergency Action Plan. It provides the team’s Safety Person with the information and confidence needed to handle health, wellness, injury recognition, and safe recovery and Return to Play procedures.
Click here to register for the course
FMMHA collaborates with Hockey Alberta to deliver the Coach 1 program twice a year, generally in mid-October and early November. This program equips coaches with the tools to teach hockey’s basic skills, emphasizing fun and fundamentals. Topics include leadership, communication, teaching skills, and lesson planning, tailored for our youngest athletes in U7 & u9.
Training Steps:
Step 1: HU-ONLINE Coach 1/Coach 2
- A 12-module online course, approximately 4 hours long, covering foundational coaching skills.
- Fee: $33 + GST
- Register for HU-ONLINE Coach 1&2
Step 2: In-Person Coach 1 - Intro to Coach
- Four hours in the classroom and 1.5 hours on-ice.
- Offered from mid-September to November 15.
- Fee: $22 + GST
- Coaches learn skill development, progressions, practice delivery, and resource utilization in a practical environment.
This training ensures coaches are well-prepared to support player development effectively. Please look for dates for Coach 1, which will be communicated through our Coach Development Director and your Division Director.
FMMHA collaborates with Hockey Alberta to deliver Coach 2, emphasizing the development of basic skills, confidence, self-esteem, and a love for the game. Coaches will be given an introduction to player development, coach knowledge, tools to effectively communicate with athletes and parents, and how to support the athlete in the team, training, practice and game environment.
Training Steps:
Step 1: HU-ONLINE Coach 1/Coach 2
- A 12-module online course, approximately 4 hours long, covering foundational coaching skills.
- Fee: $33 + GST
- Register for HU-ONLINE Coach 1&2
Step 2: In-Person Coach 2 - Coach Level
- Four hours in the classroom and 1.5 hours on-ice.
- Offered from mid-September to November 15.
- Fee: $136 + GST
- Coaches learn skill development, progressions, practice delivery, and resource utilization in a practical environment.
This training ensures coaches are well-prepared to support player development effectively. Please look for dates for Coach 2, which will be communicated through our Coach Development Director and your Division Director.
FMMHA collaborates with Hockey Alberta to bring checking skills training to Fort McMurray twice a year, early in the season. This course is required for all head coaches from U11 and up.
Course Overview:
The course covers essential tools for teaching checking skills, including:
- Tactical skating
- Body positioning
- Angling
- Stick checks
Focus areas include contact confidence, checking safety, skills drills, and the roles and responsibilities of coaches and players. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence, respect, and awareness in the checking process.
Training Steps:
Step 1: HU-ONLINE Checking
- Six-module online course, approximately 1.5 hours
- Fee: $22 + GST
- Register for HU-ONLINE Checking Skills
Step 2: In-Person Coach-Instructional Stream Checking Skills
- Two hours classroom, 1.5 hours on-ice
- Fee: $116 + GST
- Registration under "Instructional Stream" category
- Offered from mid-September to November 15
Please look for checking course dates, which will be communicated through our Coach Development Director and your Division Director.
FMMHA aims to offer the Development 1 course in Fort McMurray when there is sufficient interest. We fully support our travel coaches by reimbursing the course fee if they attend in another community. FMMHA encourages all coaches leading Huskies and Junior Oil Barons teams to complete this certification, which is a requirement for AA teams.
This course provides a foundation for coaches within the competitive streams, and teaches drill progressions and regressions, skills analysis, seasonal planning, linking individual skills and tactics, team building and tactics, and goaltending.
STEP 1: In-Person Development 1 ($314 + GST - Includes Written Assignment + Evaluation Fees)
- Two day clinic with 13 hours of classroom, and three hours on-ice instruction where coaches learn to motivate and lead athletes as they move into a competitive environment, build age and competition-appropriate practice plans, while giving players a solid understanding of skills and strategies needed to compete.
- 100 per cent attendance will result in “trained” status, must successfully complete following steps to obtain “certified."
STEP 2: Written Assignment
- Assignments are emailed out after the clinic and must be completed and returned within six weeks of course date. Return completed assignments to: stephenpattison@hockeyalberta.ca.
- Assignment topics include coach development plan, EAP, video skills analysis, plan and execute three practices and seasonal plan.
STEP 3: Making Ethical Decisions (MED) Online Evaluation (FREE)
- Takes approximately 60 minutes, through the Coach Association of Canada’s “Locker."
- Coaches are provided the opportunity to apply skills learned in the workshop to real life situations. Once completed coaches will have demonstrated the ability to handle ethical situations with confidence.
STEP 4: Field Evaluation
- Once steps 1-3 are completed in full, coaches will receive a letter outlining eligibility to complete a Field Evaluation (FE), which consists of an evaluator being assigned to evaluate one practice. Prior to the FE coaches are required to submit practice plans and EAP to their evaluator.
- Completion of this final step will move coaches from “trained” to “certified.”
Certification Maintenance
- Once certified, coaches have five years to gather 20 PD points (tracking found on “the Locker”) to keep their “certified” status.
- PD courses can be found under the Professional Development Tab
Please ensure all certifications are up to date to meet our coaching standards. FMMHA coaches can apply for reimbursement of course fees required for the current season, in accordance with Hockey Alberta's Coach Course requirements for their team's level of play.
To apply for reimbursement complete the reimbursement form and attach your receipt of payment here: Coach Expense Form
Reimbursements will be issued via EMT after the course is completed.
All Head Coaches in FMMHA are required to complete the following:
Coaching Tools And Support:
Did You Create Your Yearly Plan?
All FMMHA coaches are required to have a yearly development plan. For assistance, click the link below to download a helpful template to get you started.
Additionally, you can find the age-specific skills expected to be included in your plan by age group:
For additional support, please reach out to our Coach Development Director.
Are You Prepared for Practice?
All WBHL coaches are expected to arrive at practices fully prepared. To assist you, we have provided links to age-specific development guidelines to help you plan:
- U7 - Introduction to Motor Skills
- U9 - Learn to play
- U11 - Fundamentals
- U13 - Learn to Train
- U15 - Train to Train
- U18 - Train to Compete
For additional support and Ideas, please contact to our Player Development Director
Out of Ideas or Need Additional Support?
If you're at a loss on how to move your team to the next level, or if you need more resources and support, reach out to our directors. They can help you find the tools you need to develop your players to their fullest potential.