JHD’s high-calibre coaching and skill-specific training give players the edge
There have been many changes to the game over the past few generations, not the least of which is tremendous growth in skill, speed and flair – and this is not by accident.
“In my own playing days, there was playing time and practice time – there was no additional work unless you went out looking hard to find it,” said Dave Cameron, Head On-Ice Instructor & Program Manager with Jets Hockey Development (JHD), based out of hockey for all centre.
Growing availability of skill-specific training, such as what is offered through JHD, and a high calibre of coaching has been key to this evolution, providing players, both minor and pro, with options and opportunity to take every aspect of play to the next level.
“The biggest change is people like myself who are available to work with players, which has expanded these opportunities.”
A 1998 NHL draft of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cameron has been coaching for more than 25 years and has worked with players of all skill levels, from those taking their first strides to those on the cusp of making the bigs, and pros who have made the jump to the big show. He is also the skating and skills coach for both the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose and works with hockey for all centre tenant teams, including the MJHL’s Winnipeg Blues and Winnipeg Freeze, as well as Winnipeg AAA/AA, and Winnipeg Ice (U18 female).
“All of our JHD coaches demonstrate a high level of hockey sense and understanding of the game, but each have had their own unique career path that has led them here, creating complementary experiences and perspectives that benefit our entire program delivery.”
Communication and relationships are a key part of Cameron’s coaching philosophies, and he sees them as impactful to players’ training outcomes.
“Players who succeed the most are the ones with the best attitude and who are open to change,” said Cameron. “I try to be as open as I can with players and I want them to come talk to me about what they are doing well and struggling with, this helps to build a rapport that strengthens the connection between goals and the plan we build to achieve them.”
The communication aspect is even more critical when it comes to team coaching sessions where JHD coaches work to parlay individual strength and skill to elevated team play through communication.
Team coaching begins with a conversation with the coaches to get a sense of what they’d like to see from a development plan. After an on-ice assessment session, Cameron outlines a curriculum, maps out the plans and builds the drills. 
With so many development options available now, determining the best fit can be overwhelming but that’s where the relationship starts for Cameron and the other coaches.
“We get a lot of calls from families, some know exactly what they want and some want guidance, and so we work with you to match the program to the player.”
In addition to Power Skating, Puck Skills, Female Programs, 3 vs. 3, and Junior Prospects programming, new to the spring lineup this year are small group programs (8-10 players) during prime-time hours including after school and evenings.
“Our programs can be the perfect supplement for a spring hockey season – or replace spring hockey altogether – with more individual attention, focused work, and puck touches than in games.”
Even with his vast experience in the game, Cameron is also focused on continued learning. He spent time during COVID exploring hockey experiences off the ice, including doing colour commentary for the Manitoba Moose and writing a book, Coaching Hockey with Small Area Games, and is currently working on a second book focused on developing defensemen.
He is in the process of completing a Hockey Canada Master Skills program – just one of 10 Canadian coaches selected to receive this certification.
“For me, on the JHD side, it just lets me take our coaching to a whole other level,” Cameron said noting the plan for all JHD coaches to achieve Skills Coach Certification with Hockey Canada.
He is adamant that a good skills coach should be able to adapt to impact players of any skill level.
“Because I work with the Moose every day, I get to see where they’re at, and the goal of reaching the NHL is so close at this point. The way they prepare for practice, I can take those messages to the younger kids, scale down and explain to them why these same concepts are important. They get a lot of info that the pros are getting, similar concepts to be taught and worked on.”
The ultimate goal, through any JHD program, is to make the tactical to practical connection, correlating training to the game scenario.
“The best thing for me is seeing a player when they have that aha moment, and they understand what they are working on, how it relates to them and how they can use it in the game,” said Cameron. “When they call or text to let us know, the joy they feel in connecting it with the game – and that can be a pro or a young player, for me, the excitement doesn’t change.”
Explore JHD’s spring programs at hockeyforallcentre.com.
