Jimmy Shea
[email protected]
(905) 483-0948
Jimmy is a dedicated and highly experienced coach with a strong background in both hockey and lacrosse. He began his minor hockey career in Oakville, where he was immersed in a culture focused on excellence and player development. This foundation influenced his coaching philosophy as he transitioned to the coaching ranks.
Jimmy commenced his coaching career in the 2011-2012 season with the Oakville Rangers house league program. He continued at the house league level for an additional year before advancing to coach competitive teams at various age levels, including U11 Select, U13 Rep Development, U14 A, U15 A, and U12 A. His coaching approach consistently emphasizes player development, both on and off the ice, with a focus on fostering character and leadership in young athletes. He currently serves as the Head Coach of the U11 AA hockey team and looks forward to continuing his work with this age group in the upcoming U12 AA season.
In addition to his hockey coaching experience, Jimmy has spent 13 seasons with the Oakville and Burlington lacrosse organizations, including 10 seasons coaching at the highest rep level. He has also contributed his expertise to the Edge travel lacrosse program.
Jimmy is fortunate to work with a highly skilled, non-parent coaching staff, many of whom have played at the highest levels of minor and Junior hockey. This collaboration enhances the development of his players and contributes to the ongoing success of his teams.
Why Be A Ranger
Coaching hockey in Oakville presents an opportunity to equip players with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop both on and off the ice. At the U12 AA level, players possess a strong foundational skill set and are eager to learn, allowing for high-intensity practices that foster growth and refinement. As coaches, we emphasize the continuous development of fundamental hockey skills—skating, passing, and shooting—while integrating the more intricate aspects of the game, such as systems play, breakouts, and positional awareness.
The modern game prioritizes speed and skill, making adaptability a crucial component of player success. We encourage our athletes to think critically, make quick decisions, and implement new strategies under pressure. Goaltender development is also a key focus, and we will leverage the expertise of goaltending coaches within the Oakville Rangers organization to ensure both of our goalies receive the best possible training. Throughout the season, we will maintain a rotation system to provide equal development opportunities for both goaltenders.
Recognizing that each player is unique, we tailor our coaching approach to accommodate individual learning styles, motivations, and responses to feedback. Understanding and addressing these differences is essential for both player development and overall team success.
Being part of the Oakville Rangers organization carries a longstanding tradition of integrity, respect, professionalism, and class. As coaches, we are committed to upholding these values by fostering a positive and respectful team culture. We expect our players to demonstrate the highest level of respect toward their coaches, teammates, parents, opponents, and officials. Once selected for our team, each player becomes a representative and ambassador of the Oakville Rangers. Professionalism is paramount, and we will reinforce this through our standards of conduct, including arriving at games well in advance (one hour prior), wearing appropriate attire (shirt and tie), and consistently exhibiting exemplary behavior both on and off the ice.
The Tryout Process
17 Players (15 skaters and 2 goalies) will be selected this season to play on the U12 AA team. These selections will be made by the team coaching staff, which includes Head Coach Jimmy Shea and other non-parent assistant coaches, as well as opinions provided by other hockey minds.
What We Are Looking For
The Oakville Rangers U12 AA team will be made of players who exhibit the following qualities:
- A willingness to be coachable, learn, great teammate, attitude and respect for all participants involved
- Speed and Skill
- An ability to do whatever is best for the team at any given moment
Season Plan
- Two local practices each week. (Possibly 1 power skating session or skills sessions a week or bi-weekly)
- Dryland as scheduled by the coach
- Games - usually one home game weeknights and one away game each week. Season runs through September to Late March early April.
- 3-4 Tournaments throughout the season. 2 local tournaments and 2 stay over. Including a pre-season tournament and possibly an X-Mas tournament.
- Home and away exhibition games as scheduled by the team
- Most importantly a focus on development, not only as hockey players but people
Assistant Coach: Sean McLaren
Sean McLaren brings extensive playing and coaching experience to the Oakville Rangers organization. His hockey career began with six years of representative hockey, starting at the Peewee AE level. Throughout his playing journey, Sean achieved significant milestones, including winning an OMHA Championship in Minor Bantam A and competing in three additional OMHA Finals at the Minor Midget and Midget AAA levels
During his Minor Midget year, Sean was invited to the Soo Greyhounds' Main Camp before advancing to the OJHL, where he played for the Burlington Cougars and Lindsay Muskies. His career continued in the SJHL and WSHL with the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Southern Oregon Spartans, respectively. He then played three seasons at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he helped his team qualify for the National Collegiate Tournament each year. His fourth season was unfortunately cut short due to COVID-19.
Sean has consistently demonstrated strong leadership qualities, serving as a captain at every level of his playing career. These leadership skills have seamlessly transitioned into his coaching philosophy. Now entering his fifth year coaching within the Oakville Rangers organization, Sean remains dedicated to developing young athletes both on and off the ice.