My coaching style
My experience in the hockey field is huge. In addition to being among the 6% of Quebecers who have managed to be drafted by the NHL, I was able to do well despite a serious back injury that prevented me from performing with the Montreal Canadiens. And like any player who sees his dream slip through his fingers, I moved completely away from hockey for many years, before rebuilding myself mentally and becoming stronger.
That's why a few years ago, I made a remarkable comeback in hockey, but as a personal hockey skills coach, calling himself “The Hockey Skills Improver”! I share my technical expertise, my zest for life and my intensity with players who need it and who, like me when I was young, had the dream of achieving a professional hockey career. In doing so, I help them avoid many obstacles that could normally slow them down.
My coaching strength lies in my strict approach to achieve excellence in every facet of the game, while keeping a human attitude that makes me a favorite choice for all of my students, as young or as old as they are or as ungifted or as talented as they become - I stay true to myself no matter how young or old my clients are, no matter if they have a natural gift or not and no matter how talented they have become. I know what it takes to have a successful professional hockey career and I won't give up until my clients achieve a high standard of performance for quick and amazing results.
That’s why I excel with any hockey player, because I understand them, I know their dreams, I know what they go through and I can support them in their process towards excellence in this magnificent sport that is hockey.
Hockey is still in my heart, even though now it’s less in my legs and my shoulders…
an optimization specialist
The one and only way to get great results is to do an excellent analysis of the player's technical weaknesses in a game situation. By doing so, the goals that need to be achieved become clearer and the pitfalls can be quickly overcome. I can then become an inspired collaborator and a heartfelt partner in the constant progress of the player.
Because excellence is not only in mastering the techniques of skating or shooting, but it also lies in a winning attitude, this is why my preliminary analysis of a player's weaknesses consists of the following points:
Skating
Balance
Powerful strides
Explosion
Acceleration
Low center of gravity
Agility
Speed
Mobility
Change of direction
Forward-backward crossovers
Stopping
Tight turn
Transitions
Use of all specific muscles
Shooting
Weight transfer
Wrist shot – power, precision and in stride
Slap throw - power, precision and in stride
Swept throw - power, precision and in stride
backhand shot - power, precision and in stride
Weight transfer pass - power, precision and in stride
Saucer pass - power, precision and in stride
Screen shot
Stick Handling
Stick grip (lower and upper part)
Weight transfer
Feeling of the puck
Agility
Face-offs
Soft hands
Dekes
Puck protection
Facing the play
Poke checking
Physical Shape
Endurance
Breathing
Peripheral vision
Body Check - Giving and receiving
Blocking shots
How to defend yourself in a fight
Equipment
Skate lacing
Height, flex and curve of the stick
Helmet and visor
Hockey Sense
Create opportunities
Give yourself options
Guarding defensively
Getting open offensively
Reading the play
Create open space
Positioning in all 3 zones
Action reaction
Game anticipation
Cutting passes
Mental Approach
Love for the game
Detect the opponent's weaknesses
Take advantage of the opponent's weaknesses
Consistency
Spectacular
Creative
Aggressiveness versus violence
Disciplined
Shooting frequently
Able to intimidate (master on the ice)
Surprising the opponent
Attitude On The Ice
Does he work in both directions of the rink?
Is he responsible defensively?
Is he a «Puck Hug»
Is he arrogant?
What does he do with his puck possession time?
Attitude On The Bench
Does he complain to the referee?
Does he encourage his teammates?
Is he a team player?
Years of hard work that paid off
My expertise in the field of hockey is wide and varied. Since I returned to this world in 2013, I have held many positions in several organizations. From chief operating officer for the Guimond sports complex, to president of the Emperors hockey program at Letendre College and to head coach jobs for the USPHL Western Rebels and for the Ulysses M15 Division 1 program. With the astonishing results that these-my teams achieved, I am always ready to take on new challenges that come to my way.
The success of my team optimization program is simple; 70 percent of the technical benefits of my individual skills coaching program and 30 percent of the performance of the practice drills, along with sound advice to head coaches.
Main points
Targeted choices of exercises based on the current weaknesses of the team
Accurate coordinated execution of exercises to save fractions of seconds
Application of basic techniques and their improvement of execution speed
Support and advice for coaches to make their lives easier
Coaching behind the bench during matches
Consultation with coaches after matches
Detection of negative and positive leaders
Identify behaviors leading to leadership
