We sit down with Duane Homick, our newly appointed U16 'A' Head Coach, to hear his insights on the upcoming season, his coaching philosophy, approach, and what players and families can expect throughout the year.
- Can you tell us about your background in hockey, both as a player and a coach?
I grew up in Mississauga as a two-sport athlete, playing both baseball and hockey at the rep level—AAA in baseball and A in hockey. I was fortunate enough to be part of numerous championship teams in both sports, which gave me valuable insight into what it takes to win and how to build a winning culture.
I first got into coaching as a teenager, working alongside my father in baseball, and later transitioned into hockey coaching in 2015 when my sons started playing in Penetang. Since then, I’ve worked extensively with the 2009, 2010, and 2011 age groups in the Georgian Bay region and have been a rep coach in Penetang for many years.
Over the years, my teams have had great success, including winning an OMHA Championship in 2023 and finishing as OMHA finalists on two other occasions. We’ve also won five Regional Silver Stick titles and were crowned International Silver Stick Champions once, along with being International Silver Stick finalists on two other occasions. Additionally, we captured the Bell Capital Cup playing on the Ottawa Senators home ice, a number of league championships, and have won numerous tournament titles.
Beyond team success, I take great pride in player development. Fourteen players (so far) I’ve coached across three different age groups have advanced to higher levels of hockey at the AAA or AA level.
In addition to coaching, I’ve been involved in the administrative side of hockey for almost a decade, serving on the PMHA board and now as the first president of the Georgian Bay Minor Hockey Association. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a deep understanding of player development, team-building, and what it takes to create a successful program.
- What is your overall coaching philosophy, and what values are most important to you as a coach?
My philosophy is simple: focus on the process, and the outcome will take care of itself.
It starts with a Growth Mindset—teaching players that they can improve at anything if they put in the work. We combine that with accountability, dedication, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship to develop not just great hockey players but great people.
My approach to practices is also very different. We focus on decision-making and hockey IQ and rarely, if ever, will we run traditional flow drills where players are told exactly where to go. Hockey is too dynamic for that. Instead, we create game-like situations that force players to read, react, and make smart plays. We extensively use small area games, including new ones we’ve designed, to teach the game in ways that transfer directly into real game situations. We compete in everything that we do so that our players are ready for whatever the game throws at them.
We also use video analysis to assess how well our training is translating to games. This helps us identify where players are improving and where we need to adjust our practices to correct skill or tactical deficiencies.
Throughout the season, we follow a structured development plan—mapping out where we want to be at key points in the year and adapting our approach as we go. We don’t take shortcuts for quick success; our goal is to develop players who can succeed at the next level. That means encouraging mistakes, providing constant feedback, and prioritizing learning over short-term results.
This approach has been a major factor in our success on and off the ice, helping players reach their full potential and move on to higher levels of hockey.
- What style of hockey do you coach, and what can players expect in terms of systems and game strategy?
We play an up-tempo, new-school style of hockey centered around speed, possession, and intelligent play. Our system is highly structured, but it’s designed to allow every player to contribute in all aspects of the game. We focus on 5-man involvement, with fluid position changes between forwards and defensemen to keep the game dynamic and unpredictable. Rather than relying on short-term strategies like dump and chase, which don’t prepare players for higher levels of hockey, we emphasize skill, speed, and hockey sense. This approach not only develops well-rounded players but also makes them stand out to higher-level programs.
Our power play and penalty kill are modeled on pro-level concepts, incorporating constant movement and quick decision-making to create pressure and capitalize on opportunities. We also adapt our forecheck strategy based on the opponent and game situation, giving our players the flexibility to read the game and respond with intelligence. This adaptability is key in developing players who can thrive in any competitive environment and under the pressure that comes with playing meaningful hockey games in tournaments and playoffs.
While our style of play is more complex and takes time to master, it’s built for long-term success both as a team and individually.
- What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season?
I'm really excited for the first year of the Islanders! The opportunity to combine the talent from Penetang and Midland for the first time is huge, and it gives us the ability to bring in players from outside our area to help us compete at the highest levels.
Being part of the highly competitive YSMHL means that every game we play will be a meaningful and challenging experience, which will push our players to continually improve.
The team will also have the chance to compete in some really fun and competitive tournaments as well, which I think will be a great experience for everyone involved.
On a personal level, I’m excited to build relationships with the players and their families. I want to get to know them, understand their goals, and help them get where they want to go, both on and off the ice.
We’re going to have a competitive team that will be pushing for tournament titles, playoff spots, and regular season success. Overall, it’s just an exciting time to be part of the Islanders, and I can’t wait to get started!
- Why should players want to be part of the Islanders next season? What makes this team and program special?
The Islanders offer a unique and exciting opportunity for players next season. This is the inaugural year of the program, which means players will be part of something special from the ground up.
What makes this team special is its commitment to long-term player development, competitive play, and a focus on building hockey IQ. We don’t just want to win games; we want to prepare our players for the next level of hockey. We’re excited to offer a pathway that along with our U18 program, provides an opportunity to advance locally with the Junior C Penetang Kings and Midland Flyers.
As a team, we’ll compete in exciting tournaments, foster an environment where players grow as athletes and individuals, and have a lot of fun this year.
If you’re looking to challenge yourself, develop your skills, and be part of a program that’s on the rise, the Islanders are the place to be next season.
- Is there anything else you’d like players and families to know about you or the upcoming season?
I want players and families to know that I’m fully committed to their growth, both as athletes and individuals. My goal is to create an environment where every player feels supported, challenged, and valued.
I believe in open communication, so if players or parents have any questions or feedback throughout the season, I’m always available to chat and ensure we're all on the same page.
For the upcoming season, we’re excited about the potential we have as a team. Depending on who stays, who returns, and who attends our tryouts, there’s a real opportunity for us to play at the AA level next season as part of the YSMHL. Alternatively, we could take a hybrid approach, mixing A and AA league and tournament play. Regardless of the path we take, our program is focused on development and creating opportunities for our players to advance in their hockey careers.
We have 2 x 80-minute practices each week dedicated to developing our players' skills, along with an additional 60 minutes every two weeks for specialized skating and skill work. To ensure our players are prepared for the fitness demands of higher levels of competition, we also incorporate a 1-hour workout session. Additionally, our goalies will get weekly development sessions, and we are building a goaltending program that will be second to none.
We’re committed to fostering a local, supportive, and competitive environment where players can grow. We want to bring back that sense of community—play local, develop local, and enjoy the support of the community around us. We are big-time hockey with small-town heart. This is just the beginning, and we’re going to surprise some teams next year.
Our goal is to be the destination of choice for players in our area to play U16 hockey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!