AP RAIDERS U9MD (25/26) - COACH PROFILE & TEAM INFORMATION
HEAD COACH - KEITH CARPENTER
I played AAA through U18, US prep school (Deerfield), NCAA (Yale), and was even listed 223rd in the final NHL Central Scouting ranking for the 1992 NHL draft (my last year in high school). Although I wasn’t selected, I assumed I would be ranked higher the following year as a freshman in college. A back injury scuttled the entire next season and effectively ended my career progressing beyond university. I highlight that for two reasons: I understand what it takes to become an elite athlete, and I also well understand that there is more to life than just sports.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
My coaching style reflects my prior comment. It is our intent to have the kids excel to the best of their ability in a fun and rewarding manner. At no point, do I (or any member of the coaching staff) scream at the players, be disrespectful to their abilities, or make them feel that they don’t want to be there. Kids should enjoy hockey, enjoy being at the rink, and spending time with their teammates. It is also about life balance. Rep hockey places a significant time commitment on the players, and their families. I believe team sports can be a fantastic experience for kids and parents alike. I also believe that family and school come first. We don’t want anyone to feel burnout through this process. There should be no FOMO on any team that I coach. Take a day here and there to recharge the batteries. There will always be more hockey ahead. I’m also a strong believer in focusing on other sports during the offseason, and that there’s little need to specialize in one sport at the age of 7 or 8.
I have coached house league, rep and hockey school across various levels and age groups. Like many people, I have learned personally from the impact of constructive and destructive coaching mindsets. As an example, in my youth, over a span of two years, my bantam team were provincial champions, my spring traveling team won all our tournaments, followed by my midget winter team that finished close to last place, only to rebound with my spring traveling team that won all four tourneys we entered. Those four teams were almost identical in their rosters. The difference – the destructive nature of the coach on the one losing team. Bad coaching can have a profound negative effect on kids – I take that to heart, and try to foster a positive, supportive and engaging atmosphere.
ARENAS/ICE TIMES
Our players can expect to be on the ice for approximately 130 hours during the season, which averages 4x week (including away games and three tournaments). We have fixed evenings during the week, and weekend afternoons, split between the three arenas in Ajax-Pickering.
ASSOCIATION
The APMHA has a dedicated Board of Directors and Executive that are all non-parent members, eliminating any perceived conflict of interest or favoritism; their dedication to our MHA is limitless, with no personal gain other than the success of our Association and its players/teams. We have a full administrative staff to support parents and players through all aspects of the season. The APMHA has a solid foundation of continuous and unwavering support for our Coaches, Players and AP Raiders families.