Dear Players and Parents,
My name is John Steenbakkers, and I am very excited to have been named head coach of the Ottawa Valley Silver Seven U16 AA team. I am truly looking forward to this upcoming season and seeing what we can accomplish as a group. I would like to welcome all players in the 2009 birth year to come tryout - each player will be given a fair opportunity to earn a spot on this team.
I will be drawing on my 15 years of coaching and my playing experience at the Junior and College levels to teach, develop and to bring the best out of every player that makes the team.
I am looking for skilled, determined, hard-working coachable players with positive attitudes. Also, players who are fast and smart, that can stand out with and without the puck and want to be in a fun and competitive environment.
At the U16 AA level, I will look to further develop the players individual skill sets, but also team tactics and structure through competitive high and paced and tempo practices. I will challenge the players at practice to maximize development and skill that will transfer over to gameplay.
Hockey is a game of mistakes, players will be expected to learn, grow, and get better - but for my team - having a high compete level is nonnegotiable.
I will push the players always to be their best, and out of their comfort zones to continue growing as players, athletes, and as young adults. I am a firm believer in the life lessons that can be learned through sport.
- Commitment: Players and parents should be prepared for 4-5 sessions per week, including games, practices, video sessions, and off-ice training. Players are expected to prioritize playing as their top extracurricular activity.
- The Team will be competing the following Tournaments:
• Gloucester Capital Gold Rush : September 20th to 22nd (to be confirmed)
• Halton Hills Best of the Best : October 11th to 13th
• S7 Sensplex Capital Fall Classic : October 25th to 27th
• Silver Stick – Sudbury Regional: November 28th – Dec 1st
• Sensplex Capital Winter Classic : January 3rd to 5th
• If we qualify, the Inter. Silver Stick Tour. in Newmarket: Jan. 16th to 19th
I look forward to seeing you all at the rink. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
John Steenbakkers
