Developed by renowned skating and skills coach, Derek Popke, the Thunderbirds High Performance Program identifies and provides top players from within the TBirds an opportunity to train and develop with players of similar advanced skill-sets in a competitive and challenging training environment.

The sessions are in addition to Thunderbirds regular programming and do not conflict with scheduled home games or practices.

All participants will receive:

  • Professional Coaching
  • Convenient Location (Vancouver)
  • Seasonal Plan (1 x per week)
  • High Performance jersey

All players will be part of an age appropriate learning environment that will bring them to the cutting edge of skill development. Novice players will have the opportunity to be on the ice with similar skill while learning both individual skills and team concepts (200×85) while atom and peewee rep players will enhance their opportunity to excel.

Interested players registered in Novice (H3 and H4) and those registered for the atom or peewee tryouts are now eligible to complete the Expression of Interest form that can be found on the High Performance Program page here. Novice players will be invited to an evaluation tryout in early September while atom and peewee player will be assigned to groups based on the tryout placements. Thunderbirds are planning to have two groups (Gold and Silver) in each age division (Novice, Atom and Peewee).

Note that this program is for elite players in each of these age divisions. Other Thunderbird skill programs will be offered throughout the season for those in the recreational and below atom divisions.