Nik Bergeron
[email protected]
(647) 708-6129
Born and raised in Montreal, I grew up with a deep love for the game, playing rep-level hockey and spending countless nights at the outdoor rink near our house. I played AAA equivalent hockey in Montreal and Oakville, and for the past two years I've been proudly coaching the MD2 team. My mission is to build a culture of fun, engagement, and competitiveness. Over the past two seasons, our goal was to build a team that could compete and win against MD1 teams, and we achieved just that. At this age, fostering a love for the game and building confidence is absolutely critical, and our coaching staff will be dedicated to ensuring our players enjoy being a part of this team.
What Are We Looking For?
The single most important quality I look for in every player on the team is a high compete level. With this foundation, players must possess AA+ caliber skills and hockey sense.
Our program is designed around a TEAM-first approach, which applies to both players and parents. I expect everyone to support the team both on and off the ice. I value team above all else because the lessons these kids learn—leadership, teamwork, work ethic, resiliency, and determination—are the ones that will stick with them forever.
Program Expectations
Development is paramount at this age. We will develop skills through a team-based approach, improving hockey sense while working on the fundamentals. We will also continue with one pure development skate per week with Jason Bergeron, who has been working with our team for the past season. You can expect to be on the ice for three practices per week, plus games. During the season, we plan to introduce players to a light version of dryland training and video reviews.
We are planning a few away tournaments and exhibition weekends in the USA and Canada, with details to be shared once the team is selected.
My objective remains consistent with the past two years: to compete and win against teams 1 level up from us by the second half of the season. This requires competitive players with the right skills and hockey sense that will allow our coaches to drive the improvement necessary to achieve our goal.
What I Expect From Parents
My approach with parents is very transparent, and I have zero tolerance for drama and gossip. I communicate with the team regularly and provide ongoing informal feedback regarding the players. To build a high-performing team, trust needs to be established. This is true for everyone involved. We all need to put in the effort to ensure we create the right environment for the team.