Midget tryouts are just starting and with it a window of opportunity to take ownership of your future, on and off the ice. As many young players are weighing their options for the upcoming season, here's a little more info to help you understand what it means to be part of the GKHA Major Midget program. What will your hockey program offer you this season?
There are many different components to take into account when selecting a hockey program for your upcoming season. Let's take a look at some of the main features of our program.
Staff
Of course, your access to qualified personnel to support your development is essential. Meet the team!
Dean Tripp (Head Coach) - Member of the Major Midget program for the past four seasons, Dean keeps bringing a wealth of knowledge to help his athletes perform at their best. Published many times for his work and recipient of various prestigious awards, he is renowned internationally for his work at Dalhousie and Queen's which led to his BA(Hon), MSc and PhD in Clinical Psychology and many productive years of research. Currently an Associate Professor at Queen's, he cumulates years of academic and clinical research in Sports Psychology to complement his 13 years of minor sports coaching experience. Specialist in motivation, coaching and positive psychology, he will get the best out of you, every time. He literally took coaching to a science.
John Clarke (Assistant-Coach) - In his second year with the program, John mixes practical hockey experience and knowledge of the human body in a rich background that far surpasses your typical skills coach. With four years of Junior A in Cobourg and Kingston, followed by three seasons of CIS hockey with the Queen's Gaels, John talks by experience when helping his players train for the next level. To his playing years, he adds academic achievements. BSc of Physical Education and Health, BSc of Biology and Psychology and MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology, John is a registered Kinesiologist deserving of the title of Research Associate at Queen's. A deep understanding of movement in the human body combined with years of experience at the next level of hockey, he knows what it takes to develop athletes and train them for high performance.
Andrew Fournier (Assistant-Coach) - Joining the program this season, Andrew is an accomplished hockey player that brings professional hockey experience to the team. He started his journey outside of minor hockey with two seasons alongside the Kingston Voyageurs. Andrew then went on to play four seasons in the OHL for the Plymouth Whalers, ranking among players such as Kane, Subban, Del Zotto and Tavares, before even taking the captainship of his team the following season. He will then move on to professional hockey leagues, including the AHL and the ECHL, playing upwards of 300 games as a pro hockey players. This season, Andrew decided to give back to his hometown community by sharing his experience, skill and knowledge with the team.
Support Staff - And just because having a full time sport psychologist, kinesiologist and pro hockey player working with the team isn't enough, in Dean's mind, to help his players grow within the program, team members will also have access to hand picked professionals such as a nutritionist.
Exposure
Depending on your goals in hockey, you should consider the amount and quality of exposure that you will be getting this season. On top of the regular season games, the Major Midget team will also be participating in high profile events unique to Midget AAA programs such as showcases and international/provincial tournaments. The Midget AAA program allows you to perform in events and tournaments designed to maximize consideration from high caliber clubs and institutions.
Competition/Development
It's important to consider your level of development when choosing a team as a 16/17 years old. Physical maturity and skill level should not be the only determining factors. Emotional maturity, while often overlooked, will have a big impact on your ability to manage the situations that come up. The Major Midget program is built to help you face these challenges with the support that you need to maintain your level of performance and, in turn, your ice time/exposure. The focus can also drastically impact your progression in a season. By being part of the Major Midget program, you buy-in to a development oriented program that is conceived to prepare the athletes for the next level.
Lifestyle
At this stage of your life, you are faced with a myriad of competing priorities. The program that you choose needs to be comprehensive to your situation. The Major Midget program is built around the idea of supporting the student-athletes in their development all around. With time and support to be successful in your studies, carefully arranged with an intensive athletic program that allows you to grow as a hockey player, you have a solid basis to succeed.
The season being planned for you from the moment you join the team, it is easy for the team members to plan their schedule to incorporate efficiently schooling, hockey, social life and even work life.
More...
Still not convinced? Give
John Clarke a call today to discuss why the Major Midget program could be a good fit for you. Understand your options and choose a program that will work for you all season long.