SWAT Hockey’s development model provides additional development opportunities and programs for all players within the organization, from players in U-7 through U-13. The programs are subsidized by SWAT to ensure that there are opportunities for all players who wish to develop their skills. 

All categories/all tiers

  • Two service providers will be retained by SWAT to provide development programming to SWAT players. Hockey Fundamentals with Paul Manning and S2 Super Skills with Serdachny Powerskating will be the skill providers for the 2023/2024 season. Skate times will be organized by skill level for optimal program delivery. Enrolment will be on a first-come, first-served basis; register online below.  

Service-based programming for HADP, tier 1 and tier 2

U-13

  • Tier 1 teams will be provided with team-based development programming by external service providers and additional practice ice for coach-led development.

  • Tier 2 will have an additional practice. A mandatory cash call will apply to cover costs. 

U-11

  • HADP and tier 1  teams will be provided with team-based development programming by external service providers and additional practice ice for coach-led development.
  • Tier 2 will have an additional practice. A mandatory cash call will apply to cover costs. 

U-9

  • Tier 1 and tier 2 teams will be provided with additional ice for team-based development programming by external service providers. A mandatory cash call will apply to cover costs. 

SWAT will also provide goaltending instruction for U-9, U-11 and U-13; similar to that provided in previous years. 

2023/2024 development programs

Registration for all of the below-listed programs is now closed.

The following programs are only open to players in U-9 tier 3 to 6, U-11 tier 2 to 5 and U-13 tier 2 to 6. This is because some teams have service-based programming as part of their teams’ development (noted above). 

S2 SUPER SKILLS

In conjunction with Serdachny Powerskating & Hockey, we are excited to announce Super Skills program S2 is coming for the upcoming season. This unique and highly effective developmental program is specifically designed for hockey players who want to elevate their skating and skill levels.

SWAT SUPER SKILLS S2 is the ultimate skill development program for players wanting to elevate their game. The fall / winter program focuses on progressive skating and hockey skill development. The program teaches and emphasizes individualized high performance Skating and skill development. Topics covered include: proper technique, form, speed and skill as they apply specifically to the game of hockey. Too many times drills & skills are taught by demonstrating the end result and when students fall short of achieving them they do not know why. There are basic building blocks to learning all skills. With better understanding and a clear knowledgeable instruction, players are able to accelerate their learning and develop their skills to a new plateau. This is a player-centered program focused on complete player development. 

All on-ice sessions will be taught by professionals, lead by Serdachny Powerskating & Hockey’s Professional Skating & Hockey Skill Development coaches.

This program has limited space and will fill quickly. Registration is limited and waiting lists will be kept once programs are filled to capacity. 

S2 Super Skills Schedule ($549)
  • U9/U11: 4:00-5:00 PM Thursdays @ Kinsmen
    • Start: First week of October
    • End: Late February
    • Break over Christmas
  • U11/U13: 5:00-6:00 PM Thursdays @ Kinsmen
    • Start: First week of October
    • End: Late February
    • Break over Christmas

This program is not a learn-to-skate program. Players must have basic hockey and skating skills to participate.

Hockey Fundamentals with Paul Manning

Fundamentals Hockey player development is a progressive full season program that allows young players to be engaged within a development structure based on the following philosophy:

  • Emphasizes FUN! Skills and skating development should be fun but it should also emphasize the importance of focus and hard work. Improvement is more important than ability.

  • Utilizes multiple training aids and development approaches. Use of attack triangles, bank boards, target nets and sweet hands devices give kids different outlets to improve their abilities.

  • Focus on dynamic hockey development. All players benefit from time spent on completing two skills simultaneously. Whether it is making plays in traffic or puck handling at high speeds, young players must have an opportunity to work through drills dedicated to these dynamics to improve.

  • Maximizes use of ice time and efficiently incorporates all areas of the ice for skill development. Small group circuit work ensures that players are getting maximum repetitions and constantly engaged.

The focus of the program will begin with stride fundamentals. Each session will cover and revisit core skating principles (edge work, stopping, acceleration, tight turns, balance, power generation, etc.) As the season progresses, players will execute more dynamic drills, incorporating puck skills with skating. Near the end of the season, players will be tasked with performing the drills at higher speeds and intensity to develop decision making abilities at pace.

As players move through each session, they will have the opportunity to work in small groups with kids of similar ability. Generally, players will power skate as a group and then break into smaller groups to focus on skills work. Each week will focus on different skills so that at the end of the year, players have had a chance to execute all of the core skills in a variety of ways.

This program has limited space and will fill quickly. Registration is limited and waiting lists will be kept once programs are filled to capacity. Sessions will take place at Terwillegar arena starting the week of October 4th.


Hockey Fundamentals ($425)

  • *U7 Skill Development Sessions: 4:15-5:15 Wednesdays at Terwillegar Arena
    • Start: First week of October
    • End: Late February
    • Break over Christmas
  • *U9 Skill Development Sessions: 4:30-5:30 Mondays at Terwillegar Arena Rink C
    • Start: First week of October
    • End: Late February
    • Break over Christmas
  • *U11 Skill Development Sessions: 5:45-6:45 Mondays at Terwillegar Arena Rink C
    • Start: First week of October
    • End: Late February
    • Break over Christmas

Session Start: Early October

Goalie skill development

SWAT is once again pleased to announce that Ian Gordon Goaltending and Level Up (formerly Gold In The Net) will be providing development training to our SWAT U11 and U13 goaltenders. Both programs are subsidized by SWAT Hockey to ensure that there are opportunities for all players who wish to develop their hockey skills.
 
Both Ian Gordon and Level Up provide an excellent training opportunity for goalies who want to improve the fundamentals of their game.

Level Up ($675)

The Level Up sessions are progressive in nature with each week building upon the previous weeks training.  Examples: Power skating to refinement of Cross Crease movements, the puck machine and shooting sessions focus on reading the play, proper positioning, save selection, rebound control and recovery.  If you are not familiar with Level Up, please check out their website.
 
The Level Up training sessions will be at the Level Up “Real Ice” training facility located in St. Albert, just off the Anthony Henday on Campbell Road.
 
There are 3 Level Up training sessions to choose from:
  • Mondays at 5:15 PM-6:15PM (4 spots)

  • Tuesday at 7:30 PM-8:30PM (4 spots)

  • Wednesdays at 5:15 PM-6:15PM (4 spots)

There will be 18 sessions.  The training sessions are set with two qualified instructors for a maximum of 4 goalies per session. 
 
Session Start: Early October

Level Up U-9 mini camps

Goalie mini camps are a way for U-9 players to try playing goal, gain some experience, or prepare to be a full-time goalie in U11.  They are shorter versions of the Level Up training described above. 

  • Sessions are held at the Level Up “Real Ice” training facility located in St. Albert, just off the Anthony Henday on Campbell Road.
  • The mini camps are between 4 and 6 sessions at varying times.
    • Each session is one hour.
    • Every session will have a ratio of 1 coach per 2 goalies.
  • Goalie equipment is provided by SWAT through the player’s team. Coordinate with the coach to get it from the team, and back again.
  • Goalies may not register for multiple camps, but they will be placed on a waiting list in case the sessions do not fill up.

Ian Gordan Goaltending ($500)

Ian Gordon’s professional experience will aid goaltenders in their save selection, positioning and mental preparedness. For more information, please check out his website at www.iangordongoaltending.com
 
For Ian Gordon Goaltending there are 16 training positions open to registration for our SWAT U-11 and U-13 goaltenders from all tiers. All Ian Gordon Goaltending training sessions will be:
  • Thursdays at Confederation Arena from 4:15pm to 5:15pm. 
  • There will be 18 sessions.
  • Sessions begin early in October, 2023 and run through to late February, 2024.  There will be no sessions around Christmas.
  • Only open to U11 and U13 goalies 
Session Start: Early October