Jamie Armstrong
[email protected]
(416) 525-7904
I'm a proud father of three, one boy and two girls. In the off season, I'm a proud "Dance Dad" but 10 months a year, it's hockey, hockey, hockey. I grew up in Unionville and played Center for the Unionville Jets. Based on the team's success at AA, we were promoted to AAA where I finished out my amateur hockey before switching to competitive skiing.
Success can certainly be measured in "W's and "L's", but as a blue (second) team, we celebrate success in all kinds of ways. Growth is my goal and if 30 years from now the kids still love playing hockey, then I've contributed to that success.
Our practices are fast, with many kids moving at once. Our practices are fast, structured and reflect the key areas of focus that game play has uncovered. Blessed with many on ice volunteers, we don't waste time and the kids get regular individual instruction based on what we see. As a foundational belief, effort gets rewarded and hard work and my team knows that "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard".
For forwards, I'm looking for what you are doing when you don't have the puck. How are you making yourself an option and can you put yourself in the right position with speed. Passing quality (give/receive) is key. I'll be looking for kids that show a natural level of compete, strong hockey IQ and positive, attentive teammates.
For defence, making a strong exit pass is key. Natural ability to create time and space and the playing "heads up" will be important. Backwards skating/edging, knowing when to angle, when to pinch and the compete level that means more time than not, they'll come away with the puck.
For goalies, positioning, angling, puck tracking and rebound management will be key to helping reduce the chances of scrambles in the house.