The Burnaby Minor Hockey Association is continuing to build on a new base of skill development.
“It’s the first foundation in creating continuity and longevity in the association,” said fourth-year director of hockey operations Mark Coletta.
Burnaby Minor named three strong rep coaches for the upcoming season – former Chicago Black Hawk draft pick Jimmy Cammazzola at bantam A1, former junior A captain Andrew Graham at peewee A1 and Jason Scoffins at the atom A1 level.
The coaches will help oversee a greater concentration on skating and skill development at the Hockey 1 through 4 age levels.
The focus will be on the development side, utilizing a more creative use of ice times at the lower levels to increase skills, said Coletta.
That would mean having two teams on the ice at one time and sharing coaches and resources through the various division levels.
“What we want to do is create a fluid and consistent message through all our atom, all our peewee and all of our bantam teams,” said Coletta. “With the new board and the new rep coaches in place the team goals are to no longer just be the association that is an afterthought to the Burnaby Winter Club.
“With the right model and the right people, we think we can compete for our bantam tournament in the next four or five years.”
Coletta points to the success of the Seafair hockey association in Richmond that has begun icing stronger and more competitive minor teams in the Pacific Coast league.
As a result, all A1 and A2 teams will practise together, giving rep players two skill development sessions, one team practice and two games each week.
“The more time spent on the ice and the more work on skill tactics, the better these young players will be,” Coletta said.
“We’re offering our players and parents the best hockey experience in the community – good coaching, good ice times and good development. We have to give parents a reason to stay.”
Coletta would also like to see Burnaby return to its original maroon and white and old Burnaby Minor branding.
Tryouts start on Aug. 23. Go to the BMHA website for details.
