For Jets Hockey Development (JHD) coach Brett Wur, no matter what level of hockey he’s coaching, the most rewarding part is helping players reach their goals.
“Seeing them start progressing and the excitement they feel because they’re starting to figure it out and get better at it, it’s always just a highlight,” said Wur. “That’s my goal, figuring out how we can get players one percent better each day and closer to their dreams and goals.”
Wur started playing hockey when he was just 2, and after high school played in Ontario, Minnesota, for Trinity Western University, and in Germany. He has been coaching in the community since he played junior hockey and was an assistant coach for Trinity Western’s women’s hockey team. This year he will celebrate his fifth anniversary of being part of the JHD team.
From coaching a wide range of ages and skill levels, Wur has developed an approach to meeting his players where they’re at.
“It’s just how you relate it to different ages. You want to make everything fun but still challenging enough that they’re uncomfortable because that’s where you see growth,” said Wur.
One of the groups Wur helps coach are youth from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. JHD has been running skill development clinics with the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association for the past few years, with both youth coming down to Winnipeg for lessons and coaches heading up to Nunavut.
Recently, Wur went to Rankin Inlet with other JHD coaches to run 20 sessions over four days for youth from U7 to U18.
“It was a wonderful experience. We got to see a lot and learn about their culture while doing what we do and helping players develop,” said Wur. “We were able to help out kids that maybe wouldn’t get as much development.”
Running these skill sessions over the past few years has helped Wur and the JHD team develop relationships with the youth from Rankin Inlet and the surrounding community.
“My goal is trying to talk to everybody one on one at least once during the session,” said Wur. “Just being someone that’s there for them, not only as a as a player, but just even as a person.”
Wur has several philosophies for helping young players develop their skills and confidence.
“Players gain confidence when they have the puck on their stick,” said Wur, who tries to plan skill sessions so players get as many reps as possible. “If I can’t control the puck, then I can’t pass very well, then I can’t shoot and I can’t protect very well. So, trying to have the puck on their stick as much as possible in practices and skill sessions goes a long way.”
However, learning to play without the puck is something Wur also likes to drill into his players.
“I like to tell players that there’s one puck in a game and 10 skaters and two goalies on the ice. One player’s going to have the puck on their stick, so the nine other players need to learn how to play without a puck,” said Wur, whose favourite skill to teach is passing.
Players can work on their puck skills at JHD’s spring camps and programs. With a starting date in April, players have time to take a break before camp starts, which Wur notes is important for their development. As someone who grew up playing football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and golf along with hockey, Wur believes taking a break from hockey, even if it is to play other sports, is beneficial.
“Kids are still growing into their bodies and learning how they move, and I think other sports help that,” said Wur. “Look at a lot of the better players in the NHL. They played multiple sports growing up because they felt like it helped them grow.”
However, when they are ready to return to the ice, JHD offers a variety of spring camps to help players focus on what they want to work on.
“Our spring programs allow players to build that foundation so that when we get to summer, we’re building on top of that and making big strides going into training camp or tryouts,” said Wur. Off-season training can help players develop confidence, improve their skills, and put them ahead of their peers for the upcoming season.
During spring camps, players can also connect with and learn from JHD coaches, who alternate between teaching different programs.
“We get some different voices, opinions and mindsets to hopefully connect with every player,” said Wur. But most importantly, Wur urges players to bring an open and positive mindset to training sessions.
“Make sure you’re having fun,” said Wur. “Make sure you’re wanting to come to the rink every day to get better and be open to trying new things.”
For more information on Jets Hockey Development 2025 spring programs, visit JHD Spring Camps & Programs – hockey for all centre
