Team Assistant Coach, Senators Spring Aaa Hockey

**BACKGROUND**

The Senators Spring AAA Hockey Development Club (SSHD) provides competitive and elite athletes with the very best spring hockey experience anywhere. This is achieved through a commitment to on-ice skill development, off-ice training which focuses on increasing overall athleticism, and development of individual and team tactics; all of which is provided exclusively by professional non-parent coaches and instructors. The SSHD AAA Club is actively seeking experienced, positive, and committed individuals to serve as non-parent coaches for their teams. Coaches will report to the Club Head Coach (OSHP Head of Hockey Development).

**PRIMARY OBJECTIVE**

Coaches are responsible for ensuring each of their SSHD AAA players receive the absolute highest possible program value in keeping with the standards of the Ottawa Senators whom they represent. Coaches will oversee their team(s) with a high level of attention to detail such that maximum hockey development takes place in a fun, safe, caring, and highly competitive environment. Obligations would begin as early as January (limited to player evaluation, recruitment, and some season planning) and increase to a full coaching workload from late March through the middle of June.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**

Ongoing
- Serve as Competitive Assistant Coach for the Senators Spring AAA Hockey Development (SSHD) club.
- Ensuring players and team staff represent the SSHD, Senators, and Sensplex brand in a respectful and appropriate manner at all times and for ensuring all SSHD AAA policies and standards are met
- Assist with player selection, recruitment, and evaluation.
- Support the decisions, policies, and guidelines set forth by the SSHD AAA Club Head Coach and Club Director
- Responsible for ensuring the safety, enjoyment and care of the participants.
- Follow the on-ice program set out by the Club Head Coach
- Constantly involved in error-detection & correction of all participants to enhance their skills and enjoyment in hockey.
- Responsible for engaging the participants in a fun, enjoyable and competitive hockey experience.
- Bench management during game
- Attend all team games which may be a combination of local and out of town (dependent upon level)
- Encouraging habits and teaching the style of play determined by Club Head Coach and Club Director
- Supporting the Team Head Coach in coordinating off-ice activities during tournaments in consultation with Club staff
- Dressing room supervision before and after tournament games in collaboration with other team staff (adhering to two-deep policy and always ensuring supervision).
- Maintain a highly structured and positive environment at all team events (including dressing room atmosphere)
- Supporting the Team Head Coach in planning, implementing, and controlling pre-game preparation and communication with the team
- Supporting the Team Head Coach in designing and executing practice plans
- Ensure all club policies and rules are followed and that all players live up to the conditions of their SSHD AAA player contract.
- Other duties as assigned by the Club Head Coach or Club Director
- Supporting the Team Head Coach in preparing season-ending player report cards
- Approximate Team events included (additional time spent is likely and included as whatever is required of a high-performance competitive coach):

- Three to four tournaments (per schedule above)
- Two exhibition games per team
- Two or three classroom sessions per team
- Season opening parent meeting
- Six to eight weekend (Sunday or Easter Monday) full ice team practices
- Three mid-week skills sessions per team

**Health & Safety Responsibilities and Accountabilities**
- Ensure all coaches (including self),volunteers, and players wear proper personal protective equipment at all times during SSHD activities

**Requirements**:

- Extensive experience as a competitive coach
- An ability to connect with, relate to, and teach players of all ages
- Knowledge of key teaching points relating to developing each fundamental and advanced hockey skill
- Must have or be in process to achieve an NCCP/CAC/Hockey Canada Coaching Qualification
- Must be available and willing to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Able to work under pressure, adapt to changing environments, and deal with difficult people
- Must be comfortable and enjoy working with children
- Previous competitive hockey experience an asset
- Professional demeanor
- Strong teaching skills
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral),
- Bilingualism is not mandatory but is considered an asset
- Strong work ethic with a “whatever it takes” attitude
- First-Aid Training an asset
- Team player
- Must have own means of transportation to attend team activities easily
- Comfortable taking direction and working independently to achieve goals
- Must provide a clear Police Records Check for service with the vulnerable sector