Hockey Specific Programming

Ice Time, Competition, Coaching

Philosophy for Player Development

We believe that the student-athletes who are most successful are the ones who are the most passionate about what they do. Be it in their sport, their school or their career. Our recruiting process directs us to those students who demonstrate passionate behavior. We as coaches also demonstrate this behavior. We also believe that success comes to those who have a clear vision of what they are after as far as their athletic , academic and personal goals go. We teach and encourage our student-athletes to set goals that are realistic yet challenging enough to be always reaching.

We believe that every student-athlete wants to be successful. In order for there to be achievement, one must have the skill set to do so. Therefore, individual skills must be taught and developed. However, the most important factor in developing skills are the habits of the mind that allow skills to be developed. The habits of the mind that we focus on are confidence, persistence, teamwork and organization. We support, encourage and demonstrate these behaviors.

We support, encourage and demonstrate a CONFIDENT behavior. Confidence is having an optimistic attitude in all situations or an “I can do it” approach to all situations.

We support, encourage and demonstrate a PERSISTENCE behavior. Persistence is again an optimistic attitude that contains tolerance for limits imposed or tolerance of others. It is the “I STILL can do it” attitude when one gets knocked down or fails.

We support, encourage and demonstrate TEAMWORK. Teamwork is the collaborative mind set that sees one demonstrating helpful and cooperative behavior to peers, mentors, teachers and coaches. It is again a tolerance of others and a willingness to accept people as they are. It is a “we can do it” attitude to all group situations.

We support, encourage and demonstrate ORGANIZATION. Organization is the ability to set goals, develop a plan to achieve them and then LIVE the plan to get it done.

We value hard work, we value confidence, we value persistence, we value organization and preparedness. We value teamwork, honesty, trust and integrity.

Oue Coaches, Trainers, Medical Staff and Management Team

The BHA staff consists of the following inspiring individuals:

• President and Founder, Billy G. Doherty
• Athletic Director, Garry Unger
• Academic Advisor and Counsellor, Lois Vanderlee
• Male Prep Team Coach, Billy Doherty
• Male Varsity Team Coach, Jordan McTaggart
• Women's Prep Coach, Mikko Makela
• Strength and Conditioning, Andy Boudreau
• Goaltending Coach, Justin Cardinal
• Registrar, Debra Tammaro
• Tutors, Lynda Enarson, Ron Duggan
• Peak Mental Performance Coach, Richard Monette
• Athletic Therapist, Hugh Simpson 
• Doctor, Dr. Ian MacDonald, Alpine Medical Clinic

Schedules, Weekly & Monthly

• The table above shows a typical week for on and off ice sessions.
• On-Ice practice schedules remain consistent September through March.
• Off Ice work outs remain consistent with PMP sessions replacing off-ice work outs every two
  weeks.
• Depending on our game schedule, Monday practices are often cancelled or used as an optional
  skate.

Peak Mental Performance

Delivery of the program:
Richard Monette of InnerWarrior Coaching and Consulting (www.InnerWarrior.com) has delivered the Banff Hockey Academy Peak Mental Performance (or PMP) since 1994.

Richard Monette’s talents span the disciplines of sport psychology, business, and education, all of which are connected by his ardent passion for improving human and organizational performance. He is a skillful sport psychology coach, executive coach, corporate change agent, and speaker with a diverse clientele, spanning from Olympic medalists and professional athletes to corporate CEO.

With 20 years of very applied experience, Richard’s programs are always tailored to meet the specific challenges of his clients. He consistently links peak performance techniques and skills to other aspects of life. As a result, Richard's clients evolve as people, as well as performers in their chosen field of performance. In addition to his consulting activities, Richard created the original Sport Psychology and Peak Mental Performance curriculum that is now taught as a full-credit course in Alberta high schools. All original material presented during the PMP program is the property of InnerWarrior Coaching and Consulting and copyrighted.

Objective and content of the program The Peak Mental Performance is designed to deliver on the general objective of the Banff Hockey Academy: to help student-athletes develop their full potential and make a positive impact upon their community. The main objective of the Peak Mental Performance training program is to help athlete-students increase their “CHARACTER” score. The character score is the sum of 9 critical mental performance skills that help hockey players maximize their physical skills and increase their effectiveness:

1. Purposefulness: The ability to FOCUS a maximum level of ENERGY in each and every action in the pursuit of a long term goal and/or dream.
2. Coachability: The willingness and the ability to communicate and interact with the COACHING staff in
   order to learn more.
3. Emotional Control: The ability to MAINTAIN COMPOSURE under the stress of competition.
4. Drive and Determination: The Willingness to put forth the effort and energy necessary to succeed.
5. Mental Toughness: The COURAGE to do what MUST be done no matter the level of adversity.
6. Leadership: The desire and ability to influence others in a positive way.
7. Controlled and Intelligent Aggressiveness (CIA): The desire and the ability to play “physical” within the
   rules of the game.
8. Hockey Sense / being a student of the game: The willingness and the desire to reflect upon the game of
   hockey to increase knowledge of the game.
9. Concentration: The willingness and ability to allocate complete attention and intense mental effort.

How the program is delivered

The objective of the program is based on 3 principles:

1. A solid foundation: That all athletes-students begin the competitive season with a solid knowledge of the 9
   critical mental performance skills listed above.
2. Applying the skills in competition: That all athletes-students put in practice and improve upon the 9 critical
   mental performance skills during the competitive season
3. Planning for the future: That all student-athletes leave the program with solid knowledge on how to apply
   the knowledge, skills and techniques acquired in their future hockey, scholastic and life endeavors.

To do so, the program is divided in three phases:

1) Pre-season phase:

• Athlete presented with the basic skills and techniques required during the season.
• The content is delivered via 6 “group PMP sessions with Richard Monette
• This phase usually begins in August during the pre-season camp held in Vancouver and ends sometime in
  October when the competitive season begins.

2) Competitive Season phase:

• Students apply and receive continuous constructive feedback on the skills and techniques acquired.
• This content in delivered in many forms: 8 to 10 group PMP sessions, 3 to 5 individual PMP consultations with Richard Monette, Post-game assessment and discussions with coaches about the mental component of hockey.
• Self- assessments on the 9 basic skills listed above are performed on a regular basis.
• The program directors and coaches also assess those skills in formal and informal ways.
• This phase begins in late February and ends in early June.

3) Post-Season Phase

• During this last phase, student athletes are guided in completing an assessment of their “mental performance” season,
• This lead to the construction of individual peak mental performance development plans.
• Athletes are also presented with practical content on how to prepare for Junior and/or college camps
• This is achieved through 3 to 4 PMP group session as well as 1 or 2 individual consultations with Richard Monette.

Description of modes of delivery

1) Group PMP session:

• These sessions take place in a classroom of the Banff Community High School during which Richard Monette present different key concepts of Peak Mental Performance.
• 60 minutes in duration
• The content is presented using different medium (power point, written material, films and videos).
• During these sessions, students-athletes are compelled to keep notes and key material from the session

2) Individual Consultations session with Richard Monette

• These session also take place within a classroom of the Banff Community High School
• During these, a student–athlete and Richard Monette in a “coaching” discussion relating specifically to the student-athlete delivery of the skills and techniques presented.

3) In-game and Post game observations

• These sessions take place in-between period and after the completion of the Banff Hockey Academy hockey games
• During these sessions, Richard Monette shares his observation in relation to the team and individual player’s performance of Peak Mental Performance skills and techniques.

Health Care for BHA Athletes

Students are required to complete a Medical Examination Report prior to being accepted. Once accepted, the student will be monitored by the coaching and residential staff. Mild sicknesses like colds, flues and sore throats are usually administered internally. If complications arise or a student’s recovery prolongs, a doctor visit is scheduled. Injuries resulting from training or competition are diagnosed by a doctor and either treated internally or by professional medical staff.

To assist with monitoring a student’s health, weekly weigh-ins are scheduled. Yearly On Ice Development Plan The BHA’s yearly on ice plan is designed to develop an athletes individual skills first and then build on this foundation to progress from individual tactics to team tactics and strategies.

It has been our experience that many athletes exposed to daily training, need to develop strategies on how to mentally, physically and emotionally prepare for training every day. Once this habit is developed, great progress is witnessed in the student’s development. The the following chart describes the goals and objectives of the BHA each month of our school term.

Month Goals & Objectives

Yearly Off-Ice Development Plan

The BHA Off-Ice Plan is developed by Candice Drouin, the BHA’s Strength and Conditioning Coach in conjunction with the Director of Hockey Operations and the BHA Head Coaches. Careful consideration is given to the intense schedule of the BHA students and off-ice sessions are adjusted to ensure proper rest is available to the athletes.

Facilities

The BHA uses several facilities within the community of Banff. All On Ice training is done at the Banff Recreation Centre. On average a BHA student will receive over 360 hours ice time per year. Additional ice is booked at the Canmore Recreation Centre only 20 kilometers from Banff. Because of our unique setting, the BHA also clears and manages outdoor ice on Johnson Lake.

Off Ice training is held at the following locations; 1) BCHS gym, weight room, outdoor field 2) the Sally Borden Gymnasium and 3) the outdoor field at the Banff Recreation Grounds. The BHA also uses many of the trails available to it within the Banff National Park. Competition

The MALE PREP team competes in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL-38 games) and the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL-36 games). The HJHL is comprised of 14 teams and the CSSHL is comprised of 13 teams.

The GIRLS PREP team competes in the CSSHL (10 games). The team attends several tournaments and will also make an East Coast Tour and visit several USA Colleges and play like-minded programs. The GIRLS PREP program will comprise of 40-50 games.

The MALE VARSITY team competes in the CSSHL (30 games) and plays another 25-30 games in a variety of tournaments and exhibition games.

The MALE BANTAM team competes in the CSSHL (24 games) and plays another 25-30 games in a variety of tournaments and exhibition games.
 

Practice Planning

Practice planning will align with the monthly objectives of the BHA year plan. Coaches adjust to progress and from evaluations from competition.

A typical week will see the above objectives being achieved throughout the year on a weekly basis.

The BHA uses the on line program called FLEXXcoach as a preparation tool as well as a method to communicate plans to coaches and players.

Timelines for On/Off Ice schedules

The BHA provides over 360 hours of on-ice instruction which includes 40-50 games per team.Typically, each team will practice 7.5 hours per week from September 1st to March 31st.

The Off-Ice program runs one hour per day for most of the year. The exceptions to this schedule are during the two break periods in the year; one at Christmas and one in late March or early April. The schedule also changes due to game schedules.

We try to ensure that at least one day per week of complete rest from physical training is scheduled.

The grid below depicts an overview of our year.

Banff Hockey Academy
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