Canadian Player Pathway

ATOM

ATOM PATHWAY 2

Canadian Development Model Workgroup Recommendations

May 2018 Canadian Development Model Workgroup endorses the

new Canadian Player Pathway.

Nov 2018 The Member Forum approved the implementation of the

Atom Player Pathway for full implementation in the 2020-

21 season.

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CANADIAN PLAYER PATHWAYS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How a player gets that first experience of hockey is crucial.

If a beginner has fun while developing the fundamental skills and building confidence in their ability to perform those fundamental skills, there is a strong probability that player will go on to enjoy hockey for many years.

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INTRODUCTION

MESSAGES• Mission• Vision• Beliefs

THE ATOM PATHWAY

• Overview• Goals

• Purpose

INSTRUCTORS / COACHES• NCCP Clinic• Requirements• Professional

Development

ATOM SKILLS• Skills Matrix

SEASONAL STRUCTURE

• Ideal Season• Monthly Goals

• Skills Pyramid

RESOURCES• Hockey Canada

Network• Drill Hub• Long Term Player

Development

INTRODUCTION LEAD, DEVELOP AND PROMOTEPOSITIVE HOCKEY EXPERIENCES

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TOM RENNEYChief Executive

Officer, Hockey Canada

“Whoever said thosewords took the pulseof a nation that hashad a long andstoried love affairwith hockey.”

"Hockey is Canada and Canada is hockey."

Let’s face it – hockey is a touchstone of Canadian life. It is Canada’s national theatre and it is the chatter of the country. Hockey is more than

a sport for Canadians, it is a part of the country’s heart and soul.

The main goal is to continue to havefun while developing skills. Whenplayers continue on a positive notethey automatically enjoy the game andusually go on to have fun playinghockey for many years

WHAT IS THE ATOM PATHWAY?❖ The Atom Pathway is a

progressive, learn to play

teaching curriculum.

❖ The pathway consists of four

phases of instruction, designed

for entry level hockey players

as well as those graduating

from Novice.

❖ Introduces, develops and

refines the skills of:

❖ skating

❖ Passing

❖ puck control

❖ shooting

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WHAT IS THE ATOM PATHWAY?

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Developing and refining fundamental movement skills (skating, turning, acceleration), manipulation skills (shooting, puck control, passing) and overall motor skills (balance, coordination, agility) in a fun and safe environment that promotes skill development through self-confidence

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM❖ Continue to grow their impression of hockey a positive

one for players and parents. ❖ Play/Games should be small area games in practice

transitioning into full ice for formal games❖ Some streaming of the players –goal is to have players

working with players of like skills to develop confidence and self esteem

❖ Introduction to position specific skills

SEASONAL STRUCTURE

ATOM PATHWAY 7

Weeks

PHASE

VOLUME 30

weeks

34practices

32games

3tournaments

Up to 4 Weeksat the conclusion of the Regular Season Phase

4 Weeks

4 Practices Sessions

Up to 12 Games

1 Tournaments

Playoff/Tournament Phase

BALANCE 13% of the season

Up to 22 Weeksafter the completion of the

Development Phase

22 Weeks

22 Practice Sessions

Up to 16 Games

1 Tournaments

Regular Season Phase

74% of the season

Up to 4 weeks prior to the start of the Regular Season Phase

4 Weeks

8 Practice Sessions

Up to 4 Games

1 Tournaments

Development Phase

13% of the season

ATOM – Community (recreational)

SEASONAL STRUCTURE

ATOM PATHWAY 8

PHASE

VOLUME 36

weeks

60practices

40games

4tournaments

4 Weeks

4 Practices Sessions

Up to 16 Games

2 Tournaments

Playoff/Tournament Phase

BALANCE 11% of the season

24 Weeks

44 Practice Sessions

Up to 20 Games

1 Tournaments

Regular Season Phase

78% of the season

4 Weeks

12 Practice Sessions

Up to 4 Games

1 Tournaments

Development Phase

11% of the season

ATOM – Developmental (competitive)

Weeks Up to 4 Weeksat the conclusion of the Regular Season Phase

Up to 24 Weeksafter the completion of the

Development Phase

Up to 4 weeks prior to the start of the Regular Season Phase

SEASONAL STRUCTURE

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❖ Prep / Tryout Phase

❖ Development Phase

❖ Playoff Phase

Requirements

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SEASONAL STRUCTURE

SEASONAL STRUCTURE

Rationale

1. No tryouts/evaluation prior to or during the first week of school

2. Must have minimum of 4 practices / skill sessions prior to formal

evaluations starting

3. Tryouts must be minimum of 3 formal tryout / evaluation sessions

– Recommended - 1 skills sessions, 1 small area games session, 1

formal game

4. Must have a period of development time following team selection

and prior to the start of the regular season

5. Must be tournament style playoffs versus elimination rounds

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SEASONAL STRUCTURE

❖ General Development

❖ Tryouts / Evaluations

❖ Ice Time

❖ Position Specific Teaching

Recommendations

ATOM PATHWAY 12

SKILL DEVELOPMENTThe Hockey Canada Skills Development Program for Atom recommends:

• 50% technical skills• 20% individual tactics• 15% team tactics• 10% team play• 5% strategy.

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MONTHLY GOALSSEPTEMBERTechnical Skills - Introduce

Skating• Agility • Balance • Coordination

Puck Control• Stationary & Moving

Passing • Stationary

Fun Games

OCTOBERTechnical Skills - Develop

Skating• Agility • Balance • Coordination

Puck Control• Stationary & Moving

Passing • Stationary

Fun Games

NOVEMBERTechnical Skills - Develop

Skating• Agility • Quickness• Speed

Puck Control• Stationary & Moving

Passing • Stationary

Fun Games

DECEMBERTechnical Skills – Develop / Refine

Skating• Agility • Quickness• Speed

Puck Control• Moving• Dekes

Passing • Stationary• Moving

Fun Games

Relays

Competitive Drills

JANUARYIndividual Tactics - Introduce

1 on 1’s

Give and Go’s

Refine Technical SkillsSkating• Agility• Quickness• Speed

Puck Control• Moving• Dekes

Passing• Stationary / Moving

Competitive Drills

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER• No tryouts prior to or during the first week of school – must have 4

Development skates prior to formal tryouts commencing• Players can be grouped by skill• Multiple Stations

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APRILTournaments / Playoffs

FEBRUARYIndividual Tactics - Develop

1 on 1’s

Give and Go’s

Positioning

Breakouts

Technical Skills – Refine

Skating- Quickness- Speed

Puck Control- Stationary/ Moving- Dekes

Passing-Stationary / Moving

MAY / JUNE / JULY / AUGUSTOff season

Spring Skills ( No Games ) Multisport Activities

FUN!!!

MARCHTechnical Skills - Refine

Skating- Quickness- Speed

Puck Control- Stationary/ Moving- Dekes

Passing-Stationary / Moving

Individual Tactics -Develop

1 on 1’s

Give and Go’s

Positioning

Breakouts

MONTHLY GOALS

SEASONAL STRUCTURE BREAKDOWN CHART

30% - Introducing Technical Skills - ITS

30% - Developing Technical Skills - DTS

15% - Refining Technical Skills - RTS

10% - Introducing Individual Tactics - IIT

15% - Developing Individual Tactics - DIT

30% 30%15% 10% 15%

ITS D TS RTS I IT D IT

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Balance and Agility Edge Control Starting and Stopping Forward Skating and

Striding

Backward Skating Turning and Crossovers

• All Skating Skills from

Initiation and novice

• Forward Scissor Skate

• Lateral Crossovers

• C-cuts toe on puck

• Figure 8’s – forward –

inside & outside edge

• Figure 8’s – backward

– inside & outside

edge

• Heel to Heel (Mohawk)

• 1 leg weaving –

forward/ backward

• Front v-start• Crossover start• Backward c-cut start• Outside leg stop• Two-foot parallel

stop• One-leg backward

stop• Two-leg backward

stop

• Forward striding

• Linear crossovers

• Acceleration

• Quick Feet

• Evasive skating

• C-cuts – left foot /

right foot

• Backward Scissor

skate

• 1 Crossover / Reach

• Backward Striding

• Glide turns / Tight turns• C-cuts – around circle –

outside foot – forward & backward

• Crossovers – forward & backward

• Pivots – backward to forward & forward to backward

• Pivots – open & reverse

Stationary Puck Control Moving Puck Control Stationary Passing and

Receiving

Moving Passing and

Receiving

Shooting Individual Offensive Tactics

• Narrow / Wide• Side – front – side• Toe drag – side/front• Attack Triangle

• Narrow / Wide

• Open ice carry –forehand & backhand

• Weaving with puck

• Toe drag – front & side

• Attack the Triangle

• Stationary forehand

pass

• Stationary backhand

pass

• Forehand saucer pass

• Moving forehand pass

• Moving backhand pass

• Pass and Follow

• Cross and Drop

• Forehand - wrist shot• Backhand - shot• Forehand / backhand

shots in motion• Forehand - flip shot• Backhand - flip shot• Tips / Deflections

• Body fakes

• Stick fakes

• Dekes

• Moves in Combination

• Net Drives

Individual Defensive

Tactics

Team Play

• Angling• Basic 1 on 1’s• Escape moves• Puck retrievals• Gap Control• Tracking

• Basic Positioning – D

Zone

• Basic Breakouts

• Basic Entries

ATOM SKILLSLTPD STAGE – Learn to Play

ATOM PATHWAY 16

COACH DEVELOPMENT

Continuing Education Opportunities - NCCP Instructional Stream• Skating Clinic• Skills Clinic• Developing Defencemen Clinic• Small Area Games Clinic• Goaltending Clinic

ATOM Coaching Pathway• Hockey University – On-line Module• Coach 2 – Coach 2 in Class and On Ice Clinic• RIS – Activity Leader – On-line Module

Hockey University – On-line Checking Skills / In –Class Checking Clinic

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RESOURCES

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Hockey Canada Network

www.hockeycanadanetwork.com

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Hockey Canada Drill HubHockey Canada Drill Hub is a Free resource for players and coaches of all levels with a continuously growing library of:

• Drills• Videos• Practice Plans

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Long Term Player Development Model

The player development process should be at the forefront of each team and this development component must not be compromised.

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❖ Establish the “Gold Standard” for all hockey Programming

❖ Provide all participants with a positive experience focusing on building a strong skill base

❖ Adhere to the principles of Long Term Participant Development (LTPD) in the design and application of age‐specific programs

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

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