Prospective Waterloo Wolves Major Midget AAA Players. Our team’s success in 2016-2017 is dependent upon each and every player's commitment to better health,conditioning and preparedness. Between now and the start of tryouts, we encourage all candidates to train hard. Coach Calder has provided some suggestions to help players realize their goals.
Coach Eric Calder's Tryout / Season Preparation for Prospective Players:
Between now and the start of tryouts, I encourage all candidates to train hard. Here are some
suggestions to help you realize your individual goals, and the team realize success, in the coming
season.
- 30 or more minutes of stretching everyday…. both dynamic and static (yes, I’m serious – believe me this will really help!)
- Adequate sleep (ditch the late-night video game sessions now!)
- Anaerobic/aerobic conditioning (testing will be a part of the selection process, including a short run)
- Healthy nutrition! Skip the pop and excess sugar. Eat natural foods…not processed – learn to cook for yourself if needed (and yes…please eat some vegetables)
- Mental preparedness (Google this subject and learn something about it)
For many years I’ve studied and taught individual skills and tactics, and team tactics, to players and other coaches. Throughout the year I will be drawing on my expertise to identify each player’s biomechanic strengths and deficiencies in the individual skills of skating, shooting, passing, and puck control.
I’ve used video analysis for years to help players understand their own biomechanics and how they can be improved. We’ll be using video on an on-going basis to monitor your development.
If you are looking to take your hockey career to the next level, I will help you make this happen. If, as a team, we can improve our individual skills and tactics over the year, we’ll have more successes individually and collectively.
I am a firm believer in planning including annual planning, tryout and training camp plans, team tactics/systems, along with mental preparation, physical training, and leadership development. I like to work hard, in a positive and encouraging format.
As a mentor to young athletes, I am a positive role model and I lead by example with a very healthy and athletic lifestyle. In addition to playing hockey, I practice Bikram yoga 3/4 times a weeks, cycle, resistance train and train seriously for cross-country skiing, including completing the 160 km Canadian Ski Marathon five times.
I played professional hockey for many years, including NHL, AHL, 6 European teams and international competitions. I’ve coached teams from minor hockey all the way through junior, university and professional hockey. I’ve won numerous national championships and honours including the Memorial Cup, Canadian MVP of the World Junior Championships and CIS First Team All Canadian. Now that my sons have finished their junior hockey careers, I have the time to once again devote myself to a coaching role.
I am also excited to announce that we have an excellent partnership with the Waterloo Siskins of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. We will work in concert with the Siskins staff to provide our players with opportunities to train and AP with the Siskins.
I understand the combination of attributes that need to come together to create a successful team and I look forward to having you join us on this journey. No matter where you hope hockey will take you, hockey is a game and games are meant to be fun!
Eric Calder, Head Coach
For more information on mini camp, tryouts, the Wolves program etc., contact Eric Calder, Head Coach at 519-570-3617 or [email protected].