AP RAIDERS U13 AAA (25/26) - COACH PROFILE & TEAM INFORMATION
HEAD COACH - MICHAEL BOYCE
I am 41 years old and played minor hockey in Uxbridge and AAA in COWHA. I made a hometown career playing 5 years of Jr. C. where we lost in game 7 of the All-Ontario finals and went to the All-Ontario semifinals an additional two other times. In 2008, I started my coaching journey as an Assistant Coach with a Minor Midget AAA team. The following year, I was an Assistant Coach on a Major Bantam A team, finishing runner up in the OMHA finals. I took a few years off to start a family and returned to coaching when my kids were old enough to hit the ice. From 2018-2023, I was an Assistant Coach on two different Novice and Atom AAA teams: both top tier teams in the OMHA.
My focus will be on building a team that embodies hard work, passion, energy, & commitment to each other. There will be a detailed in & off-season plan that will include off-ice training, team building exercises, & performance reviews.
SEASONAL PLAN
The off-season plan - will include an affordable optional summer skate, as we know most kids are dual sport athletes. Depending on schedules and availability additional ice, team building, work out sessions may be added.
We maximize our preseason games by entering an early bird tournament; most likely mid-September. We will then be able to add another 2 exhibition games with nearby centers. We will enter 3-4 additional tournaments with anywhere from 1-3 being travel tournaments.
In season plan - we are afforded approximately 100 hours of practice ice provided by Ajax-Pickering; we will also supplement this where we see fit for further development opportunities. We also plan on having a weekly work out/dryland session that will be piggy backed off a practice to make good use of everyone’s time. Weekly training sessions will be coached/managed by a professional in the field.
In game analysis/video will be used throughout the season to help teach, educate, and improve. Video sessions will most likely be utilized before practice.
COACHING STAFF AND DEVELOPMENT
The coaching staff will be made up of non-parent and parent coaches. I have an extensive process for my bench staff selection to ensure all members of the coaching staff offer the players a rich mixture of both hockey development and personal development.
Development is paramount for kids at this age and level of hockey. Hearing different voices, opinions, & suggestions broadens everyone’s horizon. On-ice development from outside resources will be used to enhance skill sets for each individual position. We will provide an allotment of money for goalie development to coincide with any money used for hired player development. Our staff may also include and hire professional strength and conditioning coaches and professional figure/power skating coach.
ASSOCIATION
Having been a part of the APMHA for a few years now has allowed me to realize the great place it is to play. Ice time is always available and the organization has been nothing but first class in supporting its players, coaches, managers, & parents.