Hockey Development Committee (HDC)
The Hockey Development Committee (HDC) plays a vital role in fostering a positive and inclusive environment for young players to learn, grow, and enjoy the game of hockey. The HDC creates and manages the development structure for HYHA's youth teams based on the guidelines and rules of MN Hockey District 3, MN Hockey, and USA Hockey.
HDC Objectives and responsibilities
- Providing opportunities for players to develop their hockey skills and knowledge of the game through quality coaching, training programs, and opportunities for individual skill development. Skill development programs will cater to players of different ages and skill levels.
- Creating a guideline for skills that should be learned at each age and level to develop building blocks from Mite through Bantam/High school preparation. These guidelines, and their corresponding programs (ie: drills, coaching, video review, etc.), are determined by the HDC and based on the principals of the American Development Model (ADM). They are introduced to coaches at the mite level, and reiterated each year through coaching workshops.
- Promoting values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and fair play among players, coaches, and parents. The committee will focus on instilling good behavior both on and off the ice. The HDC will implement training and/or workshops for coaches and parents when necessary.
HDC Members
Director of Hockey Development: AJ Goff
As the Director of Hockey Development, AJ Goff oversees preseason and in-season hockey development across the association. His goal is to create, provide, and grow an inclusive environment for all hockey players to develop and reach their maximum potential, while teaching the importance of sportsmanship, integrity and honesty.
As a part of his role at HYHA, AJ will assist in establishing and evaluating pre-season and offseason player development opportunities; be a resource to coaches regarding practice plans by providing ideas, drills and execution of the skill progression for each level; and work with our third-party skills providers to design appropriate programs for each level of play.
AJ will also be a resource for families/players who seek advice regarding offseason hockey opportunities
Coach in Chief: Dylan Talkovic
Dylan is the head coach of the Hopkins Highschool Boys Varsity Hockey team. As the coach in chief for HYHA, Dylan will look to:
- Increase collaboration among HYHA Coaches and the Hockey Development Committee
- Including periodic all HYHA coaches meetings to share knowledge & challenges as well as learn from outside resources to further enhance coaching knowledge
- Establish a stronger connection between the Youth Program and High School Program
- Create comprehensive coaching resources that include overall resources as well as age-specific development programs
Board President: David Almquist
As the President of Hopkins Youth Hockey Association and a member of the HDC it is Dave's duty to be a conduit between both entities. This provides transparency to both the business side of HYHA and the development of our players. His goal is to assure the HDC and the HYHA board are fully collaborative in their efforts to provide the best in class resources back to our players for future growth. Dave brings with him years of experience as a player with a post youth hockey career that started at Duluth East High School, followed by Junior USHL at North Iowa, and college hockey at University of Wisconsin River Falls; as well as 8+ years coaching youth hockey.
Girls Coordinator: Alex Bisbee
Alex Bisbee currently is the Hopkins Hockey Girls Coordinator
In his role as the HHGC Alex works with the St Louis Park Hockey Association to ensure that the Hopkins/Park girls hockey program is effectively developing, supporting, and encouraging girls youth hockey players.
Alex has coached hockey for over 30 years working with both Boys and Girls from the Mite to College level players. On a professional level Alex founded Bisbee & Associates 1997. B&A is a consulting firm that supports energy efficiency. B&A provides executive strategic interaction and is typically an influential participant in establishing overall management focus.
JACK Hillen
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Brad Zielke
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