Check out our sit down with U15 "A" Head Coach, Mike Gervais.
1. Can you tell us about your background in hockey, both as a player and a coach?
I have been involved in coaching for over 30 years, from u9 through u21 and from local league through AAA. I started coaching hockey as a teenager, coaching u9’s and u11’s at the same time. As I was a AAA hockey player graduating out of minor hockey and a AAA baseball player also graduating out of minor baseball I was asked to help coach baseball and after several very successful seasons coaching at the U18 AAA level (2 Ontario championships) in baseball the hockey bug came back and went back to coaching hockey while continuing to referee minor hockey and junior hockey. While mostly at the U13, U15 AAA level our teams enjoyed great success, with 2 Omha finals appearances.
More recently I have been coaching the 2004 - 2007 age group in Penetang. I have such a passion for coaching and helping players not only to continue developing their hockey skills but their life skills as well, with the hope they go onto great things in life remembering the times they had in minor hockey and the friendships they have as a result.
2. What is your overall coaching philosophy, and what values are most important to you as a coach?
Hard work, commitment, strong character, and a focus on the process will lead to individual and team success. Any missing component makes the process weak.
I will hold all players accountable for their effort level and commitment level. I encourage mistakes and will never penalize a player for making a mistake. I like to help the player overcome the obstacle that contributed to the mistake and find a way to improve. Whether it be with video analysis, extra player development or simply a re-focus on the task at hand we will all succeed.
My practices are up tempo and fast paced with an emphasis on reactionary skills. Meaning improving the players hockey IQ and being able to read the play and reacting accordingly with quick decision making and accurate decisions. I will use a variety of drills which emphasize or assist to develop these skills and also use a lot of small area games to improve reactionary skills. My hope is to have all games video taped so that players and coaches can re-watch and use it to improve through group discussions.
3. What style of hockey do you coach, and what can players expect in terms of systems and game strategy?
Fast paced, with a focus on speed and puck possession. All players will get opportunities on special teams, playing forward or defense. As the season goes on players will ultimately fall into places or roles that set them up for success, which in turn means team success. I like to run 5- player units that own the play with puck possession and pressure.
4. What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season?
Being part of an exciting new organization, the Georgian Bay Islanders, and helping my team improve and develop as the season goes on.
5. Why should players want to be part of the Islanders next season? What makes this team and program special?
The Georgian Bay Islanders is going to be an exciting place to play this upcoming season and for seasons to come, the dedication to details, open and honest communication, with very detailed and achievable mandates or policies will make us a destination of choice. Not only am I the head coach of the u15 A team I’m also on the board of directors as the director of player development. The focus of this program will be to assist all teams and players with personal growth and development by utilizing many resources from on ice skill development for not only skaters but goalies as well, to off ice dryland training, whether it be in a gym with professional instructors for the younger age groups to athlete based cross fit training at Driven for the older players also with professional instructors. This u15 A team will be utilizing all available resources the Islanders organization has to offer to assist in player development.
6. Is there anything else you’d like players and families to know about you or the upcoming season?
Please check our website for evaluation dates and times, everyone regardless of where you played last year is invited and in fact encouraged to register for these evaluations. All players will be provided with a personal growth and development chart to be able to monitor progress and achieve short term and long term goals, all aligning with team goals. I offer very open and honest communication with timely responses to questions or concerns, as well as professionally delivered feedback on growth and development, along with a fun and enjoyable season. To quote my favorite song (yes I’m a country fan) “Teamwork makes the dreamwork” Lets go Islanders!!!