Grassroots: The Minor Hockey Show

There was a time when Gaston Marcotte was considered one of the finest hockey teachers anywhere. Though not well known outside Quebec, his teachings, books and hockey school were regarded as vitally important foundations for how the game should be taught. Podcast host Richard Bercuson was at one time one of his instructors, an anglo among francophones. They finally reconnected late last year. Marcotte no longer teaches hockey. Instead, he has set himself a new goal.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Yes, minor hockey has been butchered by Covid, with thousands of kids unable to play or practice. A lucky few,  especially at the more elite levels, have at least had some ice time. What does the future hold as teams, players and coaches look ahead to a hopeful fall. Oshawa coach Tony Stabile discusses what he's been doing with his AAA group and what the future holds for him and his players.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

As Covid has decimated nearly all youth activities, junior hockey has been especially hard hit. For instance, older players have been forced to end their careers early, denied finishes to last season and with practically nothing to show for this season. Trenton junior A head coach and general manager Peter Goulet describes the impact on his club and then describes his approach to finding the right players. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Writers talk about their "voices." So do singers who have distinctive styles. What about coaches? Do we have voices and do they change - or should they - from one age group or level to another. Dean Holden, who has a vast background in coaching different levels and is completing his PhD in coaching, discusses how he approached it, especially in his earlier years.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

What seemed to have begun in hockey with Graham James in terms of awareness of abuse and sexual violence has certainly not ended there. Sexual violence is ever-present, as we know from high profile cases, but has also been even more horrifying in the realm of sport. Two university hockey players, Amy Graham and Patti-Anne Tracey, are attempting to make discussions, awareness, and prevention more mainstream through a unique web site and series of lessons. In this podcast, they describe what they learned and how they're going about it. Their site is: https://x2017tet.wixsite.com/teaminsvpContact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Canada's volunteer-based minor hockey associations are the foundations of the sport. But how efficient are they and what could they do to improve? Is there a place for a type of board or board member training program like coaches, trainers and officials have? Former Hockey Eastern Ontario Executive Director and association president Richard Sennott discusses this.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

It's regarded as the most important position in the game. And yet, finding coaches to work with goalies is challenging, let alone unearthing ones who are skilled and knowledgeable enough to provide up-to-date instruction. In this episode, Richard talks with Stefan Nichols, an Ottawa-based professional goalie teacher, about what goalie coaches need and where to find them.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

2021 at last! This first show of the new year is with Gregg Kennedy who last spoke from roadside in Thunder Bay on his cross-Canada drive to Slave Lake. He'd just accepted a job as head coach/GM of the Slave Lake Ice Dogs. Now, with a handle on the environment and team needs, he shares what he's seen and needs to tackle in this new hockey environment.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

A brief junior sojourn. A late night development chat. A shot in the dark. The game through a different lens. And then there's pillaging...Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

The minor hockey world is far removed from the pro, college and even most junior worlds. Then why are so many coaches stuck on developing tactics  when their players don't yet comprehend why these might or should work? Shouldn't we be teaching core principles of play built on sound foundational skills? Dean Holden returns to discuss this and examine what we should be looking at.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com