Mark Livermore – Head Coach, Huron Perth Lakers Minor Atom (2004)
What are your expectations for attendance, arrival times and dress codes for games and practices?
I expect 100% participation unless a player has schoolwork, illness or a family/personal reason. If weather conditions are poor, I respect the decision not to risk lives for a practice or game. I do expect a call, text or email if a player cannot make it.
Players should arrive 60 minutes before a game. All players should be dressed and ready 20 minutes before going on the ice so they can warm up and go over game plan. For practices, 30 minutes is acceptable. I understand travel time to various arenas, work commitments and family life for the parents.
Dress code for games are Lakers warm up suits. In cold weather, players should dress more appropriately.
How do you plan to distribute ice time?
I project the team will consist of 9 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies. At this age players may be moved around from forward to defense until we recognize their natural position. In regards to goaltending, goalies will alternate games throughout the season.
All players will be given the chance to play in certain game situations. As the season progresses, the abilities of each player will determine their strengths and weaknesses. For example, a player may be stronger defensively rather than produce on offence. It is inevitable that there will be situations when some players may get more ice time than others. It will depend on their consistency throughout the year or their play of late. Ice time may also be determined by the opponent we are playing or the importance of the game. This also includes the goalie position.
All ice-time and player positions decisions are solely decided by the coaching staff.
Do you intend to add off-ice sessions of any kind?
I will make sure we have a team social event more than a month before we begin the season. 30 days before we begin I would like to provide a strength and conditioning program that would be monitored by the parents and submitted to the Coaching Staff for evaluation.
What are your tournament plans?
We will enter into 4 tournaments. These will be selected after tryouts. One tournament may be in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> A 5th tournament is possible if approved by 75% of parent group.
How will you balance individual development, team development and emphasis on winning?
Our season will be divided into thirds.
Individual skill development is a primary focus at start of season. Drills will involve multiple skills. Players must know they are competing against the best talented kids at their age throughout the province. They must know that they have to be dedicated to keep improving. Individual skills will give them confidence in their abilities. It is the coaching staff’s job to teach, encourage and discipline their game.
As the season progresses more team tactics will be introduced. Chemistry between players will be more noticeable which will be beneficial to create strategies. At this age, too much may not be the best approach, but basic attacks and pressures will be repeated constantly.
By the third phase, I expect that individual and team skills have progressed. Winning is important, but it is not everything. Success will be measured on how each player has developed individually and how the team has played together. Dedication from the start of the season to the end will make for a memorable and ultimately fun year.
What is your approach to team and individual discipline?
From day 1, each player will know that this team’s motto will be “Team First”. I will relay this message to the parents as well. Dedication to your teammates is a necessity for ultimate team success.
I believe in respecting your teammates, opponents and officials. We will be a sportsmanlike team on and off the ice.
Discipline will come in a variety of methods ranging from hard skating practices to missing shifts.
What initiatives, objectives and goals do you have for your team?
Improving each player’s hockey skills is the number one objective when coaching at the AAA level. It is my job and expectation for each player’s talent level to improve as the season progresses. I also want to teach the kids a good work ethic and to have confidence. We will be competing against the strongest caliber of minor atoms, therefore our kids must have the desire to challenge themselves.
With my commitment to the development of hockey skills and our “Team First” approach it is my goal to have a winning team by the end of the year.