Rep Coaches (Erin-Hillsburgh Minor Hockey Association)

PrintRep Coaches

2020/21 Rep Coaches:

We are very pleased to announce our 2020-2021 Erin-Hillsburgh Minor Hockey Association Rep coaches.
They are truly committed to providing a safe and positive rep experience with a focus on putting the Fun into fundamentals.

U9 (Novice) BB - Luke Longstreet

My hockey background:
I have been playing hockey since I was 6 in EHMHA. A mix of Rep, Select and LL, 3 years of intramurals at Brock University and 4 years in the Erin Men's Hockey League.

8 Years of Referee and Time Keeping experience.
Current Member of EHMHA Executive- Technical Director (2 year term)

My coaching history:
'16-'17 Assistant Coach for Novice (U9) BB; OMHA Champions
Summer '17 Head Coach of Team Canada (Jr. A, Jr. B divisions) and International Team (Open division) at the World Dwarf Games; 2 Golds for Canada
'17-'18 Head Coach for a Novice (U9) and Midget (U18) LL teams; Novice Consolation Champs
'18-'19 Head Coach of Novice (U9) BB Devils; Tri-County Champions

'19-'20 Head Coach of Bantam (U15) BB Devils

I started out as a goalie coach but have grown into a Head Coach over the past few seasons, I have spent countless hours at practices working with the goalies in our organizations on Rep teams from U9(Novice)-U15(Bantam). Everyone gets the chance to be a goalie this year but I am thrilled to start the development of a couple players who want to step into the goalie role more seriously!

What am I looking forward to accomplishing with my team this year?

This year is very exciting for me, getting back to the roots of development in competitive hockey players! I am currently researching and learning about the half ice initiative as the last time I was in U9(Novice) we played full-ice. That being said there is a lot of room for creative development within drills, small area games and even half ice game play itself! The end goal for my team is that each and every one of my players feel comfortable competing and can stay in the play when we transition to full ice. It is important to me that the players know and are comfortable playing with full ice rules (offsides, icings, face-off procedures, on the fly line changes) before we begin full ice games in the New Year.

Building a fun, friendly, safe, respectful and goal motivated environment is the key to this success. We will all be starting and ending at different skill levels, but we all want to be able to grow each other and have our actions and words build and motivate self-esteem to and feel like we are all a part of something special, a true hockey team.

What will you be looking for at tryouts?

Over the last 5 seasons I have become very familiar with U9 (Novice) hockey players and skill sets however I do not know this particular group of hockey players and families yet. I would love to see EVERYONE ATTEND so that I can get the chance to meet the future of EHMHA. Whether you think this team is a long shot or not in your mind, please come showcase your skills as it is a great learning experience regardless of the outcome!

I am looking out for coaching ability and effort. Coaching Ability can be broken down into many parts such as listening skills; whether the player can take a coaching tip and try to apply it, whether the player can properly complete the drill after instruction, whether the player is a distraction or a leader to those around them. The other main factor to coaching ability is where the players development is at, where their skill is at and ultimately the reason we hold tryouts. Now at this age it can be very subjective and there tends to be quite a few players on the bubble, the biggest difference maker is effort and impact; whether the player is comfortable skating along friends in drills vs. pushing to catch the player in front of them, whether the player is trying to be in the play and get the puck during scrimmage vs. staying away and skating along side/behind the play, whether they could have a major impact on the game or never really want to make an impact on the game.

There are lots of things you can teach, effort is one of the hardest.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the ice!

U11 (Atom) BB - Jon Forbes

Your hockey background:

I had the opportunity to play at a highly competitive level. I grew up playing AAA hockey for the London Jets and then moved on to play JR.B hockey for the St. Thomas Stars and then the London Nationals in the GOJHL.

Through this, I have had the privilege of learning a great deal from the coaches that helped me develop and progress as well as the players who I competed against.

Your coaching history:

I have Hockey Canada - Coach Development 1 Training and am currently pursuing higher levels. The Hockey Canada Long Term Development Plan will provide the foundation of much of the training this season.

I have been involved was a coach with the Erin-Hillsburgh Association for the past 5 years. First, as a volunteer for 3 seasons with the CHIPS program and then as a Novice Assistant Coach for the past 2 years, most recently for the Novice BB's last season.

In addition to this, as a teacher at Mayfield Secondary School, I have been the Head Coach of the Girls Hockey team for 15 seasons along with helping to coach football and rugby. I have also had experience working as a Head Instructor for Total Package Hockey and UWO Hockey School which speaks to my development background. I am also a certified power skating instructor.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing next season:

My ultimate goal is to develop both players and people by creating a culture of learning and respect. Overall, I would like to see every player have the opportunity to improve and contribute to the team while having fun. I would also like to see the players learn to represent and contribute to the community that they play for by providing opportunities to give back.

This year, the team will be challenged to always try their best, to not cut corners, and to develop the tools to work through adversity showing good sportsmanship. I want the players to want to come to the rink, have fun, see their friends, grow and get better. Every success will be celebrated.

What will you be looking for at tryouts?

The most important thing that I am looking at tryouts is for players to be coachable and give their best effort. It should be apparent that they really want to be there to compete for a spot on the team. They should be ready to try their best, push their limits, show their skill, and demonstrate respect.

U13 (PeeWee) BB - John Martin

Your hockey background:
I love the game of hockey. The pace, the strategy, the technique, the excitement. I didn't get the chance to play myself as a kid, but I was (and still am) obsessed with the NHL - Go Leafs!

Seeing my son and his team mates share this appreciation has been so amazing to watch them go from flat on the ice in CHIPs 1, to now really understanding the game and developing on their strengths. I love seeing the bonds they have made as team mates and the lifetime of memories they are making.

Your coaching history:
I have been volunteering with EHMHA for 8 years now. I've done everything from being an on-ice helper for the little ones in CHIP, Team Manager, Assistant Coach, and last season I was thrilled to be a first time head coach of the PeeWee AE team.

I think most that have worked with me before would say I bring a positive attitude to the rink and I keep spirits up. Although last season we didn't have what you would call a winning season on the scoreboard, we more than exceeded the goals we set around development, team-first, having fun and most of all - having every one of them wanting to continue to play hockey next season. I take a lot of pride in the accomplishments of every player and my fellow bench staff members.

What you are looking forward to accomplishing with your team this coming season:
With the unfortunate situation of COVID-19, I am waiting anxiously like many of you to hear what the hockey program might look like for our players next season. Health & Safety will always come first, so I am happy to support PeeWee players however I can. I learned a lot last season that I can't wait to bring to this group of athletes. Once we can get back to team sports safely, I am looking forward to using the game as a way to raise the spirits of our children that have been hit pretty hard by these drastic changes in their lives.

What will you be looking for at tryouts?

The key things I will be looking for will be coachability - how the player listens to coaches, has a team first attitude, never quits and is hard working.

U15 (Bantam) BB - Steve Kinlin

Your hockey background: I grew up playing hockey in a small town very similar to Erin, Tweed. I played rep hockey all the way through my minor hockey years, then played in the local men’s league once minor hockey came to an end. I still continue to play in our Erin’s Men’s league on Wednesday nights and even get a tournament or two in with great friends I’ve met through the years.

Your coaching history: I started coaching with the Canadian Hockey Introduction Program known as CHIPS here in Erin. I’ve been on several benches for EH as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Trainer for Tyke, Novice, Atom x4, Peewee x3, Bantam x2 Rep teams. I’ve also been involved with Baseball and many 4H organizations throughout the years.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing next season: The team will have fun playing and developing with their old friends while making new friends and new memories. I look forward to the players appreciation for the game of hockey and their friends once COVID is over and things go back to normal!!

What will you be looking for at tryouts? I’ll be looking for players that can compete and compute at the U15 level of hockey. I’ll also be looking for players that show the ability to play rep hockey in all aspects of the game, skating, shooting, passing and hockey smarts. I will not be looking for the big hit in tryouts, we will learn and teach that as the season progresses.

U18 (Midget) BB - Lee Erwin

Your hockey background: I've been involved in hockey ever since I was young. I played rep hockey from Novice through Midget and went on to play Junior for three years. Hockey has continued to play an important part of my life and I hope that I can, in the not too distant future, play men’s league with both of my boys.

Your coaching history: I coached my first hockey team in my early twenties. I have been coaching high school hockey since 1999 and joined Erin-Hillsburgh as on ice coach with the Chips program in 2006. I have been either a head coach or assistant coach since that time. I have been lucky enough to coach every level from Tyke to Bantam, and this year I will be coaching the Midget BB team. I know the pride that comes from winning the OMHA title as I have experienced it both as a player and as a coach. I also know that success is the result of many hours of hard work and dedication.

What you are looking forward to most about this coming season: I am excited and looking forward to the Midget tradition of welcoming home the young men who have played in other centres but would like to conclude their hockey career in their home town, with their friends. I look forward to guiding the dedicated and hardworking players through a unforgettable year filled with fun and friendships they will remember for years to come.

Category Sites

Other Team Sites