Grassroots: The Minor Hockey Show

Minor hockey in both Canada and the U.S. is working hard both at trying to attract newcomers as well as retain youngsters playing the game. What then would it take to help ensure both objectives are achieved? Perhaps a simple idea - a rule - might do it. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Since taking over the York University women's hockey program in 2004, Dan Church has established himself as one of the game's most complete and well respected coaches. His team has consistently been among the top ten in Canada and he's coached Canadian women's teams to golds at numerous international events, including the world championships. But it's his philosophy on coaching that both sets him apart and creates an example for coaches to follow. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

University of Toronto women's coach Vicky Sunohara bridged two generations of national team successes as a player. She started with the likes of Angela James and France St. Louis and finished with players such as Jayna Hefford and Cassie Campbell Pascall. Along the way, in Olympic and world championships, she won 15 gold and three silver medals. Now in her tenth year as the head coach at U of T, she's brought what she learned as an athlete to today's young female players.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Nearly 20% of the world's female hockey players are in Ontario, governed by the OWHA whose head is Fran Rider. How does she see the current state of female hockey and where it's going? What about the open boundaries that exist only in the women's game? A discussion with a woman who has been honoured in Canada and internationally for her contributions to women's hockey.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Over 20 years as an elementary school phys. ed. teacher and coach, dealing with hundreds of kids each day, have taught Jonathan Lloyd a few things about coaching. He takes those tools straight into the rink in the evenings as a competitive level minor hockey coach. What has he learned and how does he apply it to coaching hockey?Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

A mantra taken up by USA Hockey leaders some years ago in its new development program was "No laps - No lines - No lectures!" What exactly does it mean and what should coaches do instead? A discussion with Gregg Kennedy.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

There's no evidence that the late American psychologist Abraham Maslow played hockey, let alone coached it. Yet his Hammer Law regarding cognitive bias seems well suited to an examination of how minor hockey coaches rely on so very few tools. Dean Holden is again the guest and he looks at this in more depth.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Can we make a distinction between coaches who are motivated by the process as opposed to the outcomes, like wins and losses? Dean Holden, who is completing his PhD in coaching, holds true to his mantra of "Fun-Learn-Return" as he discusses the issue.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Dave Leger was a Level VI referee in Ottawa and officiated professionally in Europe. Then he got the coaching bug, beginning with a stint as a high school assistant with Richard Bercuson and moving into junior then college hockey. It is now 22 years later and he has been a professional coach on three continents and in five countries. With a suitcase full of fascinating experiences, he has learned much about the game's culture in these places and what he needs to do to continue to grow as a coach.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Let's have a sneak "peek" at what's coming on August 6.Three great shows with Dave Leger, who is now coaching in Hungary, and Dean Holden who is completing his PhD in coaching.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com