Hockey: Exclusive with Bob Nicholson - President - Hockey Canada
Jarrod Rogol
November 25, 2005
* Contains exclusive comments from Bob Nicholson ? President ? Hockey Canada
With winter now at full speed, hockey is also at full speed and that includes countries around the world who are fast trying to gear up and make selections as to represent them, not only in Torino but beyond, and Hockey Canada, the governing entity for all things hockey in Canada is no exception. ?Todd is still being evaluated for the Olympic team and like all players it will really depend on how he plays in December as they all settle into the NHL,? said Nicholson when asked the status of Todd Bertuzzi. Nicholson also commented on a major player from the last Team Canada Paul Karyia, ?Karyia has had an impressive start this year in the NHL and certainly is being looked at from the Management team in Canada. They are very deep in all positions but Paul is certainly a candidate that we are looking at on an ongoing basis.?
As Nicholson referred to, players in the NHL really are still trying to settle into the ?NEW SCHOOL HOCKEY,? and hockey fans in Canada fans may see some of those rule changes in the provinces soon, ?The new rule interpretations have been great for the NHL and great for the game. Hockey Canada is now looking at bringing all of those rule interpretations into all of its jurisdictions from Jr. down through Minor Hockey,? said Nicholson.
The talent pool in Canada is something that the country has been known for years and it?s continuing to stay strong. Recently, the Women?s Under-18 Squad Ontario Red took the gold medal at the 2005 National Women?s Under-18 Championship. Laura Fridfinnson (Manitoba) and Rebecca Johnston (Ontario Red) are two of upcoming stars, ?The strength of the Canadian system in both the Men?s and Women?s game is a talent pool and when you look the Women?s side of the game we are very fortunate that we now have our Under 18 program and Under 20 program so that we can identify and train players as the prepare themselves for the National and Olympic Women?s team. Rebecca and Laura are two of the key players in this structure,? said Nicholson.
Speaking of Canada?s talent pool, the most well hyped player currently is the one known only as Sid ?The Great? Crosby currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, ?Sidney Crosby has had a tremendous impact on the game of hockey not just this year but the last couple of years. He has incredible skills on the ice but is just as incredible off the ice, and is becoming one of the games best roll models,? said Nicholson.
Another major item of importance to Hockey Canada Management is that of putting the communities across the country first and they have many programs to do that, two are sponsored by General Motors and Chevy, ?The Safe and Fun program with GM is a very positive program for both the young players learning their skills and parents to talk about the tools that they should bring to the arena for a positive atmosphere and the quilt program that Chevy has started is an excellent way to show all the positive things that kids can learn from the game. Young players across the country have been asked to look at positive things that they will continue to bring and learn from the game of hockey on little squares that are built into a big quilt that is going to be displayed across the country,? said Nicholson.
Timex and Wal-Mart have teamed together to join with Hockey Canada for the Timex Community Coach of The Year Award. The program has been formed to recognize coaches across the country to develop not only strong players, but also strong citizens. The coaches with the most votes in each community will be awarded with a variety of different coaching items and tools.
Nominate A Coach
Side Notes
The Wayne Greztky Foundation and Hockey Canada are currently holding the ?Future Team Canada? Program. More information can be found here:
With winter now at full speed, hockey is also at full speed and that includes countries around the world who are fast trying to gear up and make selections as to represent them, not only in Torino but beyond, and Hockey Canada, the governing entity for all things hockey in Canada is no exception. ?Todd is still being evaluated for the Olympic team and like all players it will really depend on how he plays in December as they all settle into the NHL,? said Nicholson when asked the status of Todd Bertuzzi. Nicholson also commented on a major player from the last Team Canada Paul Karyia, ?Karyia has had an impressive start this year in the NHL and certainly is being looked at from the Management team in Canada. They are very deep in all positions but Paul is certainly a candidate that we are looking at on an ongoing basis.?
As Nicholson referred to, players in the NHL really are still trying to settle into the ?NEW SCHOOL HOCKEY,? and hockey fans in Canada fans may see some of those rule changes in the provinces soon, ?The new rule interpretations have been great for the NHL and great for the game. Hockey Canada is now looking at bringing all of those rule interpretations into all of its jurisdictions from Jr. down through Minor Hockey,? said Nicholson.
The talent pool in Canada is something that the country has been known for years and it?s continuing to stay strong. Recently, the Women?s Under-18 Squad Ontario Red took the gold medal at the 2005 National Women?s Under-18 Championship. Laura Fridfinnson (Manitoba) and Rebecca Johnston (Ontario Red) are two of upcoming stars, ?The strength of the Canadian system in both the Men?s and Women?s game is a talent pool and when you look the Women?s side of the game we are very fortunate that we now have our Under 18 program and Under 20 program so that we can identify and train players as the prepare themselves for the National and Olympic Women?s team. Rebecca and Laura are two of the key players in this structure,? said Nicholson.
Speaking of Canada?s talent pool, the most well hyped player currently is the one known only as Sid ?The Great? Crosby currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, ?Sidney Crosby has had a tremendous impact on the game of hockey not just this year but the last couple of years. He has incredible skills on the ice but is just as incredible off the ice, and is becoming one of the games best roll models,? said Nicholson.
Another major item of importance to Hockey Canada Management is that of putting the communities across the country first and they have many programs to do that, two are sponsored by General Motors and Chevy, ?The Safe and Fun program with GM is a very positive program for both the young players learning their skills and parents to talk about the tools that they should bring to the arena for a positive atmosphere and the quilt program that Chevy has started is an excellent way to show all the positive things that kids can learn from the game. Young players across the country have been asked to look at positive things that they will continue to bring and learn from the game of hockey on little squares that are built into a big quilt that is going to be displayed across the country,? said Nicholson.
Timex and Wal-Mart have teamed together to join with Hockey Canada for the Timex Community Coach of The Year Award. The program has been formed to recognize coaches across the country to develop not only strong players, but also strong citizens. The coaches with the most votes in each community will be awarded with a variety of different coaching items and tools.
Nominate A Coach
Side Notes
The Wayne Greztky Foundation and Hockey Canada are currently holding the ?Future Team Canada? Program. More information can be found here: