JHD coach balances skill development and fun
For people who are just learning to skate to professional hockey players who have spent thousands of hours on the ice, breaking down a skill to its simplest form can help anyone master it.
This is the approach Jets Hockey Development (JHD) coach Devin Himpe takes, whether he’s coaching 5-year-olds or the pros.
“It doesn’t matter which group I’m working with, when starting a new program or skill I usually try to take things slowly and start at a controlled standpoint, build things, and then put it in a game situation. I think that’s the best way to give a player confidence,” said Himpe.
Along with coaching full-time for JHD for the past five years, Himpe has been an assistant coach for 10 years with the University of Manitoba Bisons Men’s Hockey Team, has coached Team Manitoba, and was a member of the Team Canada coaching staff at the 2019 International University Sports Federation Games in Russia.
Himpe works with players of all ages and skill ranges, from children to adults in their 60s or 70s who are learning to skate, and high school, university and professional hockey players.
“The most rewarding part of coaching is when you clearly make an impact on someone, whether they had fun or got better,” said Himpe. “I’ve always tried to push players to the best of their abilities while having fun.” 
Growing up in Dauphin, Man., Himpe spent most of his free time on the ice.
“I grew up in a small town and there was nothing else to do. It was either hockey…or hockey,” laughed Himpe. However, he believes the best players are balanced, not only in their skillset but also in their time off the ice.
“Try to show up with an open mind and be ready to work,” is Himpe’s advice for players. “Don’t just focus on the things you are good at. We need to build everything so you can be a more complete player.”
Himpe also uses this mindset in his coaching approach, as he understands the importance of listening and learning from others.
“If coaches don’t grow and listen to others, then their players won’t grow,” said Himpe who, along with using this collaborative approach, has also invested a lot of his time into his own personal training. He has completed the Hockey Canada skills training and has his High Performance 1 coaching certificate.
Himpe believes its also important for players to take a break from hockey and to play other sports.
“Playing other sports can help improve your hockey skills. For example, playing golf or baseball can help with hand-eye coordination,” said Himpe. “Those skills will translate over to your game.”
While having a well-rounded skillset is important, skating is truly the foundation of any good hockey player.
“If you can’t skate, you can’t pass, you can’t shoot. You can’t do everything to the best of your ability,” said Himpe.
This is why power skating is a staple JHD program throughout the year, and especially during the spring season, which Himpe notes is a great time to get a head start on the areas a player wants to improve upon for next year.
JHD’s spring programs are available for U9 to U18 players as well as adult skaters. Players can also create their own small groups with their friends, teammates, or other players at their level, and choose from a range of coaches to tailor their programming.
“From a development standpoint, players can take a break from team play and focus on themselves, and then take a break after spring development with their mindset on what they just worked on,” said Himpe, adding that spring training is also beneficial for players, and their parents, in that it continues to bring structure and developmental opportunities after the hockey season is over.
Himpe will be involved with each program in some way and is looking forward to helping players improve on and off the ice, but having fun remains key.
“If I can help them develop or gain something out of a practice, as long as they’re smiling at the end of it, that’s all I care about.”
For more information on Jets Hockey Development 2025 spring programs, visit hockeyforallcentre.com.
