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
About Derek
Entering his third season working with the Vancouver Thunderbirds, Derek has revitalized the skills program for our players in the Below Atom and Rep divisions. As a hockey skating consultant, Popke has worked on-ice with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-2014), ECHL Victoria Salmon Kings, BCHL Penticton Vees, MML GV Canadians, CSSHL St. Georges Saints, and numerous minor hockey associations. In 2009, a record 19 players who skate with Popke were drafted in the WHL Bantam Draft. As one of the lower mainland’s most respected skating coaches, over 50 of Popke’s skating clients have been selected in the NHL draft in the past 7 years.
* please note that there are no refunds once the program has started