PLAYER / PHILOSOPHY

Shooting

The art of shooting has dramatically evolved in the last decade; part of this change is due to the new technology and development of stick and hockey equipment manufacturing. We take a focused approach on improving a player’s shot, release, and offer proper shooting techniques for all situations of the game. Our advanced segments include topics such as changing the angle on the shot, shooting in stride, in-tight scoring, and much more. With proper practice and repetition, you’ll be a dominant threat in all areas of the offensive zone.
Shooting

Power Skating

Never underestimate the importance and effectiveness of sheer controlled speed. Anyone who has played at a high level will tell you that the difference between the good players and the best players lies in their skating ability. Effective edge work is the bedrock for all skating techniques. With this foundation, we build to improve a player’s quickness, acceleration, and efficiency in their skating capabilities. Our Power Skating and High Performance Power Skating programs are just another way The Rink Player Development help players make a dynamic impact on the ice.
Power Skating

Puck Control

Puck possession is strongly correlated to the winning percentage of any team. The more you have control of the puck, the better your position is to succeed. It’s important that our players can handle the puck in all zones around their body. Our effective puck control sequences have players learn dynamic fakes and dekes and understand the situations to apply them in. The best puck handlers know when not to over handle the puck, which is why puck control is a key approach to our teachings at The Rink Player Development.
Puck Control

Passing

Pure play makers don’t receive the credit they deserve. Alongside every sniper is the set-up man that is contributing to the team’s goal scoring success. We take a focused approach in the fundamentals of passing for players and further apply complex passing methods such as elevated saucer passing and passing through traffic techniques. Team chemistry relies on effective passing, and we teach exactly that.
Passing

Battle & Compete

The Rink Player Development offers the best competitive and spirited environment for hockey training. Each one of our groups is classified by age and caliber, ensuring an appropriate training atmosphere no matter who you are. Battling and competing in hockey incorporates body contact, puck protection, effective stick work, and proper angling. These vital teaching concepts are only the few reasons why The Rink Player Development sets itself apart from the rest.
Battle & Compete

Small Area Games

On a full sheet of ice, having a size and speed advantage makes it quite difficult to lose the puck. With an isolated ice surface, “keep away” is more difficult because the size and speed advantage is reduced; this puts the emphasis on skill. Integrating small area drills and games are a crucial part of the development of our programs. Our 110 x 50 Ice Surface is about 2/3 the size of a professional rink. This creates fast and action-packed scenarios which is any players dream.
Small Area Games

Position Specific

Throughout the course of a hockey season, position specific skill development is seldom included or even completely avoided in most coaching plans for young hockey players. At the next level, whether it be Junior, College, or the NHL, breaking down groups and working on position specific topics takes up a large majority of the practice times. At The Rink Player Development, we understand the value in position specific training, and our professionals break down and stress its importance in our programming. A guaranteed 6:1 player to coach ratio, close player to coach proximity is what allows our performance professionals to keep focus on your developing skill set.
Position Specific



WHAT WE DO

The RINK Player Development team is focused on provided age and skill specific training for all hockey players. The RINK provides small group training with a low player to coach ratio on a custom-sized ice Sheet. This way, players will get more correctional feedback, more touches of the puck, more shots, more repetition, develop faster reaction time and will see more improvement.

During a RINK Training Centre experience, athletes will seek to hone, refine and master various skill sets within their game. A combination of on and off-ice development will provide players a well-rounded and focused approached to their development.

TRAINING CAMPS

Player Development Team

Jon Cara RINK Player Development

Director of On-Ice Development & Programming

Jon is a Certified Hockey Canada Skills Coach and brings a wealth of experience in Power Skating and Skill Development. Furthermore, Jon was selected as a skills consultant for the Hockey Canada National Teams’ Summer Showcase and is the skills coach for the WHL's Winnipeg ICE.

Jon Cara Director of On-Ice Development & Programming

Tyler Fehr RINK Player Development

Hockey Operations Assistant & On-Ice Skills Coach

Tyler is involved with our Rink Hockey Academy as the Hockey Operations Assistant and plays a large role in helping coordinate our Summer Development Camps.

Tyler Fehr Hockey Operations Assistant & On-Ice Skills Coach

Kurt Keats RINK Player Development

On-Ice Coach

Kurt Keats On-Ice Coach

Shannon Kleysen RINK Player Development

Female Program Coordinator

Shannon has an extensive playing career that began with the Fort Garry Flyers at the age of 10. She moved on to play for the AA Twins and won a city championship. She continued to play hockey for the AAA Winnipeg Avros and finally completed her playing career in the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) for the Western Predators. Shannon transitioned to the coaching side of hockey after graduating high school and began as assistant coach of the Bantam AA Female Twins. She continued her coaching career as a coach in the Winnipeg Women’s High School Hockey League for the SJR Eagles for three years, with the latter two of those years being the head coach. Shannon graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2019 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology.

Shannon Kleysen Female Program Coordinator

Dwayne Gylywoychuk Headshot

Consultant | Coaching

Over the last several year Dwayne has been involved internationally at both the male and female divisions most recently winning a silver medal at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018 with the Canadian National Women’s team. Dwayne holds many coaching certifications including being a Certified HP2 NCCP Coach, Chartered Professional Coach (Coaches of Canada) ChPC and is a coach mentor for Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba.

Dwayne Gylywoychuk Consultant | Coaching

Addie Miles-Abbott

Manager of Female Player Development

Addie has been heavily involved in coaching in the female hockey community. She spent time coaching high school hockey and time as the Assistant Coach for the University of Manitoba Bisons. Currently, Addie is the power skating and skills coach for the University of Manitoba Bisons and is a driving force for The Rink Team leading the development for our female programming.

Addie Miles-Abbott Manager of Female Player Development

Kayden Jarvis RINK Player Development

Program Coordinator

Kayden currently attends the University of Manitoba as an Asper School of Business student where he is working to attain his Bachelor of Commerce. Kayden looks forward to passing on his knowledge and experience as a member of The Rink Team.

Kayden Jarvis Program Coordinator

Jeff Borse RINK Player Development

On-Ice Coach

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Jeff finished his playing career with the Winnipeg Blues before beginning his coaching career. Jeff first started coaching with his old high school team, the Oak Park Raiders, where he won his first championship as a coach. After 3 years with Oak Park he moved onto the Bantam 2 Winnipeg Monarchs, again winning City and Provincial championships and placing 4th in Westerns. Jeff then made the jump to Junior hockey with the Winnipeg Blues then the Charleswood Hawks. During his time coaching he pursued the skill development side of the game as well. Spending 5 plus years with Vigier Hockey and 3 years with Jets Hockey Development. Recently Jeff was accepted and is in training to become a Hockey Canada Certified Skills Coach. With his love for the game, strong belief in development and diverse hockey background, Jeff is beyond excited to join the Rink Hockey Academy and continue his development.

Jeff Borse On-Ice Coach

Paul Stoykewych Headshot

Program Coordinator

Paul began his Junior career at age sixteen, spending two years (2011-13) in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) with the Winnipeg Blues. Paul was named the captain of Team Manitoba represented at the Canada Winter Games (2011). The subsequent year, Paul played for the Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Throughout his Junior career, Paul represented Team Canada on three separate occasions: Under-17s Team West (2012) and twice at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge capturing both a Bronze and Silver Medal (2013-2014). After his Junior career, Paul accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Western Michigan (2014-2018). Throughout his four years he was named an associate captain and helped lead the team to the NCAA National Tournament. Named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) All-Academic Team and NCHC Scholar Athlete, Paul graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Continuing to pursue further education, Paul became the Assistant Coach of the Men’s Varsity team at the University of Western Ontario (U-Sport) while completing a Master’s of Management and Leadership (2019). Paul is excited to teach and encourage aspiring athletes at all levels as a member of The Rink Player Development Team.

Paul Stoykewych Program Coordinator

Foster Bytheway RINK Player Development

Assistant Program Coordinator

Foster grew up in Stonewall, Manitoba, where he took part in their minor hockey programs. He played his Bantam and Midget years playing AAA with the Interlake Lightning. Through his years of playing Winnipeg AAA, he was selected to participate in the 2014/15 all-star game, the 2015/16 all-star, and also had the opportunity to play in the Manitoba Games, in 2014. He current is playing with the Stonewall Jets, of the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL). Foster has been with The RINK for over two years, and brings experience from working aside Olympian, Fiona Bell, as well as volunteering with Special Olympic athletes throughout his high school years. Foster is currently working towards a Kinesiology degree, in Recreation Management, at the University of Manitoba.  

Foster Bytheway Assistant Program Coordinator

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