Under 13 (U13) - U13-C

Coaches Letter

Welcome to the new hockey season! My name is Joe Chalmers, and I am very excited to be the Head Coach of the U13 competitive team for the 2022-2023 season. I have been with the Cyclones in some capacity since my daughter began playing in Novice and I can't wait to get started in this new role. I have also been involved as a Head Coach with my son's team in the APMHA.

My coaching philosophy is simple: if the players love what they are doing, they will be willing to give it their all. My aim is to foster an engagement in hockey that produces lifelong athletes. I have played hockey since l was four years old and still find the time to play multiple days a week. This lifelong athletic endeavor is so important for social growth, cooperation, and overall mental health. My hope is for my players to see the value in challenging themselves and contributing to a team. Overall season objectives will be reviewed within context and adjusted as necessary.

I am a firm believer in growth mindset and will ensure that we are always moving forward as a team. Players are expected to try their best and to focus on what they can control to help contribute to their overall growth as well as their contributions to the team. Our practice planning will focus on both individual skills development as well as the foundations of playing as a team. Over the season my hope is that players will find confidence to make appropriate decisions on the ice as a result of regular review and practice.

One thing I would like the players to begin thinking about is their role in prepping for practices and games. This goes beyond just arriving on time. I want players to examine what works for them in their pre-game routines. This includes proper sleep, nutrition, and mental preparedness. Players should also begin to develop a little more independence in their pre-game routines. This includes tying their skates on their own, ensuring that all their equipment is packed, and that their water bottle is filled and with them at the arena. These little things help to develop focus, readiness, and personal commitment.

We will be participating in two home tournaments this year and two away. The Halloween Havoc tournament has already been announced as our first away:

Northumberland Halloween Havoc - Cobourg, Ontario October 28-30, 2022

Further details regarding team fees, fundraising, and tournaments will be discussed at our first parent meeting. When tryouts are complete and the team is finalized, I will be looking for parent volunteers to help support in various roles within the team. The strong support of volunteers is what creates amazing hockey experiences. I look forward to working with you all to make this the best season possible.

Enjoy the remainder of the summer and we'll see you at the rink!

Go Cyclones!

Joe Chalmers