Player Pathway: Spotlighting Milton Minor Hockey's U-9 MD White Team

The Hockey Canada Player Pathway provides a roadmap for participants to enhance their experience on the ice, increase overall participation, and lay a foundation for a successful playing career, well into the future. Examples of successful implementation of the Long Term Player Development model can be found across the province.

In this edition, the spotlight points to Milton Minor Hockey Association, who are currently celebrating their 75th anniversary.

Shaun Blore is a volunteer coach who currently leads the U-9 MD White Team and has been volunteering with Milton since 2017. He is a big believer in encouraging athletes to train in the off-season, particularly participation in different sports, to allow for more flexibility from a coaching point of view, but also as a continuation of athletic skill.

“Some of the things you see on the ice sometimes, like kicking the puck up to their stick comes from sports like soccer. [Playing other sports] allows players to have other experiences with other coaches, which in my opinion makes them more coachable and easier to coach,” said Shaun.

“I think that it also allows for kids to come back into the game with more competitive confidence. It takes them less time to warm back up to hockey and on the ice with their teammates.”

At Milton Minor Hockey, a preparation phase prior to the season is offered at the U-9 level and in Shaun’s opinion, this small period allows his athletes who possibly didn’t engage in sport, specifically hockey, over the summer to prepare their minds and body for another season of play.

“Milton Minor Hockey does offer Prep Phase. This phase is beneficial for kids who maybe didn’t train over the summer and swam at their cottage instead! I think it helps shake the dust off for players. It isn’t a long period of time, but I do think it's beneficial” For more information on the Long Term Player Development Model, click here.

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