High Performance Program with Derek Popke – Vancouver Thunderbirds Hockey.

HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

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)

About Derek

Derek has revitalized the skills program for our players in the U7, U9 and our 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 U15 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 10 years.

U7 Gold Program (2018-2019)

New to this season, 2018-2019 born players will be invited to participate in the HP Program. The selection priority for the U7 HP program is skill level (not birth year). This model allows players to be challenged at a level appropriate for their current pace of play, understanding of hockey concepts, and skating ability.

Curriculum:

Skating Topics:

Stride mechanics and efficiency
First Step quickness
Speed with the puck
Advanced edge control

Skills Topics:

Advanced stickhandling – short, long, side dribble
Puck protection – winning 50/50 puck battles
Checking tactics – press and stick check with body positioning
Shooting and Scoring techniques

What Skills Group Am I?

Priority registration will be given to U7 Skills Group 1 players.

Groups are formed at the discretion of Vancouver Hockey School – no exceptions.

Registration will open upon completion of skills groups being formed.

U7 Gold Group – Tuesday AM Hillcrest

HP Times do not conflict with T-Birds regular team programming.

COST: Approx. 16 sessions (1x per week) $720 plus GST = $756

U9 GOLD AND SILVER PROGRAMS (2016-2017)

New to this season, players are divided into 2 practice groups (Gold/Silver) with selection priority being skill level (not birth year). This model allows players to be challenged at a level appropriate for their current pace of play, understanding of hockey concepts, and skating ability. The main focus of the U9 HP Program is preparing players for rep hockey. There is a heavy focus on FULL-ICE GAME TACTICS.

Curriculum:

Skating Topics:

Stride mechanics and efficiency
First Step quickness
Speed with the puck
Advanced edge control

Skills Topics:

Advanced stickhandling – short, long, side dribble
Puck protection – winning 50/50 puck battles
Checking tactics – press and stick check with body positioning
Shooting and Scoring techniques

Team Concepts:

Positional Play / Strategies
Intro to defensive zone coverage
Offensive zone tactics
Net front offensive and defensive play

What Skills Group Am I?

Approximately 40 total players will be selected into the HP Program. The players will then be divided into 2 different on-ice groups: U9 Gold and U9 Silver.

Priority registration will be given to last season’s U9 and U8 Skills Group 1 players.

Groups are formed at the discretion of Derek Popke and staff – no exceptions.

Registration will open upon completion of skills groups being formed.

Gold Group - U9 Monday AM Kitsilano
Silver Group - U9 Tuesday AM Kerrisdale

HP Times do not conflict with T-Birds regular team programming.

COST: Approx. 16 sessions (1x per week) $720 plus GST = $756

U11 (2014-2015) and U13 (2012-2013) REP GOLD AND SILVER PROGRAMS

Curriculum:

Skating Topics:

Skills Topics:

Advanced stickhandling – short, long, side dribble
Puck protection – winning 50/50 puck battles and compete
Checking tactics – press and stick check with body positioning
Shooting and Scoring techniques
Angling and gap control

Sessions will re-enforce individual skills and Rep team concepts as players advance through the HP program.

U11A and U13A Gold and Silver programs

Gold program: All skaters selected for the U11 and U13 Rep A1 teams will automatically be enrolled in the Gold program while any final releases during the tryout process will be invited to join at their discretion.

Silver program: Skaters will be accepted on a progression from Rep A2 to A3.

Note: All interested players must participate in the Thunderbirds Rep Tryouts to be considered.

Groups are formed at the discretion of Derek Popke and staff – no exceptions. In the event that invited Thunderbird players do not fill camp capacity, players of similar skill from outside the association may be invited.

Registration will open upon the completion of rep tryouts.

U11 Gold Group - Thursday PM Kits
U11 Silver Group - Monday PM Hillcrest
U13 Gold Group - Thursday PM Kits
U13 Silver Group - Monday PM Hillcrest

COST: Approx. 16 sessions (1x per week) $720 plus GST = $756

Program times do not conflict with TBirds home games or practices.

* please note that there are no refunds once the program has started