Coach Information

What Makes a Strong Hockey Coach?

At CMHA, we're looking for more than just hockey experience. Great coaches come from a variety of backgrounds, and what matters most is a commitment to the growth and well-being of our players.

Qualities we value in a strong coach include:

• A passion for player development - A genuine interest in helping children grow as athletes and individuals, regardless of their skill level.

• Teamwork and collaboration - The ability to work effectively with fellow coaches, team staff, and association volunteers.

• Clear and respectful communication - Both on and off the ice, with players, parents, and fellow coaches.

• Organizational and time-management skills - Availability to meet the time commitments of the season, including practices, games, and team events.

• Hockey knowledge and experience - While helpful, a background in playing, coaching, or evaluating hockey is not always required. We welcome those with strong leadership and teaching abilities who are eager to learn and contribute.

If you are interested in coaching for the 2025-2026 season, please complete the registration here: http://canmoremha.rampregistrations.com/
Those interested in a Head Coach position will be contacted by the Development Director, Kevin Smyth.

Regardless of experience or background, all teams must meet certain requirements. Every team must meet specific requirements — including ensuring that all coaches and team staff have the necessary qualifications and clearances.

REQUIREMENTS

Updated Coach Education Pathways

Updates have been implemented to Hockey Alberta’s Coach Education Pathways, with new and/ or updated requirements and qualifications for the 2025-26 hockey season.

Here is what you need to know. All of these Coach Courses are due November 15th, no later. 

1. Clinic Structure

The overall structure of clinics remains the same with an:

• Online component; and
• In-Person clinic (including classroom and ice time).

2. Online Component

The Hockey Canada Learning Lab has replaced Hockey University for the Online component. This has resulted in the naming changes outlined below. When registering, please search for the clinic/course names listed below in bold.

• Hockey Canada Coach Clinic (hosted by Brightspace) -> previously HU-Online
  • Hockey Canada Coach 1 AND Hockey Canada Coach 2 -> previously HU-Online Coach 1 & 2
    • NOTE: Coach 1 and Coach 2 are now two separate courses.
    • NOTE: The Player Pathway modules will be available to the Coach once they have completed the main Hockey Canada training.
  • Hockey Canada Skills - Checking -> previously HU-Online Checking Skills
  • Hockey Canada Safety Program - Level 1 -> previously HU-Online Trainer/Safety

3. In-Person Clinic

In-Person clinics also have new names as outlined below. When registering, please search for the clinic names listed below in bold.

• Hockey Alberta - Coach 1 - Intro to Hockey Clinic -> previously Coach 1 - Intro to Coach
• Hockey Alberta - Coach 2 - Minor Leagues Clinic -> previously Coach 2 - Coach Level
• Hockey Alberta - Intro to Principles of Checking -> previously Checking Skills

NOTE: The are no naming changes to Development 1 or High Performance 1.

Respect in Sport - Activity Leader

The November 15 deadline does not apply to this qualification!  This certification must be valid prior to any bench/coaching staff being on the ice with a team and a coach will not be rostered without a valid RIS-AL.

This is required for all bench staff and is not the same certification as the Respect in Sport-Parent program. 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 may be the single most important training leaders receive to assist in creating a safe, healthy and respectful environment for all participants.

If RIS-AL was taken in the 2021 or before, it is no longer valid and re-certification to coach for the 2025-2026 season is required. To verify your RIS-AL expiry date, please check your HCR (Spordle) account or your Respect in Sport account.

To transfer a certificate from another organization to Hockey Alberta's coach program a person needs to go to https://ha.respectgroupinc.com and choose to register a new user. The first field at the top of the registration page is where they will need to enter their existing certificate number and click the “check” box. Once it has been validated they will just need to complete the registration and the certificate will be ported and updated to the HCR.

If you have any questions concerning the RIS-AL certification, please visit Hockey Alberta's website for more information.

• Respect in Sport - Re-certification FAQ's
• Respect in Sport-Activity Leader website to re-certify or take for the first time
• Respect in Sport support portal

If you encounter any problems in your efforts to re-certify please send an email to: info@respectgroupinc.com

Vulnerable Sector Check

Required every three seasons, all team officials must complete a Vulnerable Sector Check. Please contact the Operations Manager for the necessary volunteer letter to present at your local RCMP station. Completed checks will be kept on file until an update is required. 

Coach Job Descriptions

The Head Coach, along with assistance of the Team Manager:

• Serve as the official spokesperson on behalf of the team
• Coordinate the delegation of responsibilities to the assistant coach
• Plan on and off-ice activities in consultation with the assistant coach
• Organize parents meeting to inform them on the team's hockey season plan
• Plan, implement and control pre-game preparation and communication with the team
• Design the practice plans in consultation with the assistant coach
• Coach the team in all games and practices
• Establish rules for the team and oversee the supervision of the players

Assistant Coach:

• Assist with planning, organizing and conducting practices
• Assist with pre-game preparation
• Assist with the operation of the team during the games
• Assist with the supervision of players off and on the ice
• Assist with the formulation of the game plan
• Report to the head coach

Additional Resources/Questions to Consider

Resources:

Hockey Alberta has put together some helpful resources for coaches, including age specific goals and practice plans. Coach Resources 

Concussion and Injury Information

Mental Health Resources

Emergency Action Plan - Each home arena used by CMHA teams will have its own site-specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP) kept in the off-ice officials box. 

Questions to Consider:

Communicating with Players:

Questions for coaches to reflect on when working with players:

• How are team rules communicated to players? Are they clear and age-appropriate?

• How do you motivate individual players and the team as a whole?

• Do you see yourself as a role model? How do you demonstrate that on and off the ice?

• How do you handle a player who struggles to get along with teammates?

• What is your approach to discipline — both for individuals and the team?

• How do you respond when players offer suggestions or feedback?

• How would you manage jealousy or tension between players?

• How do you recognize and respond to behavioural changes in players?

• What makes coaching this age group unique compared to adults?

Communicating With Parents:

Coaches should also consider their approach to engaging with parents:

• How would you respond to a parent whose philosophy or coaching expectations differ from yours?

• What is your approach when receiving criticism or complaints from parents?

• How would you respond if you learned a parent was expressing concerns to others rather than addressing them with you directly?

• How would you address a parent who is overly vocal or negative in the stands, especially if it’s affecting their child or the team?

• How would you handle a complaint about a child’s ice time?

• What steps would you follow to resolve disputes or misunderstandings with parents?

Self Assessment - How am I Doing?

These questions help coaches reflect on their effectiveness and team environment:

• How do I want my players to interact with one another?

• What resources or support should be available to my players?

• What was the most important thing I tried to teach this week or month?

• What is the most important lesson my players will take from me this season?

• What have I learned from my players recently?

• Am I meeting my own coaching goals?

• Are the players enjoying themselves? Am I enjoying myself?