The Hockey Development model within SWAT Hockey provides additional development opportunities and programs for all players within the organization.  Program offerings are available for all players from Timbits through Peewee. The programs are subsidized by SWAT to ensure that there are opportunities for all players who wish to develop their skills. 

Development options for the 2022/23 season will be opened for registration within a few days of the conclusion of evaluations, and teams being formed.  Please make sure to check back on this page for updates. An overview of planned opportunities includes:

• All Categories / All Tiers: Two service providers will be retained by SWAT to provide development programming to any SWAT players. Hockey Fundamentals with Paul Manning and S2 Super Skills with Serdachny Powerskating will be the skill providers for the 2021/22 season. Skate times will be organized by skill level for optimal program delivery. Enrollment will be on a first-come, first-served basis; register online below.  

• U13 (Peewee): Tier 1 teams will be provided with team-based development programming by external service providers, and additional practice ice for coach-led development. A mandatory cash call will apply to cover costs. 

• U11 (Atom): 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. A mandatory cash call will apply to cover costs. 

• U9 (Novice): Tier 1 teams will be provided with additional practice ice for coach-led development. A mandatory cash call will apply to cover costs. 

SWAT will also provide goaltending instruction for U9, U11 and U13, similar to that provided in previous years. 

2022-23 OFFERINGS

S2 SUPER SKILLS

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:

Goalie Skill Development Camps

Level Up

IAN GORDON GOALTENDING