Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/417390
MINNESOTA HOCKEY BOASTS THE MOST YOUTH HOCKEY COACHES IN THE NATION, BUT IT'S THE QUALITY OF COACHING THAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE There are the legends such as Herb Brooks and John Mariucci, Lou Nanne and Willard Ikola, Terry Skrypek and Oscar Almquist. There are former college or pro players now behind the bench. There are mothers and fathers. There are volunteers. They are all greatly responsible for the success of Minnesota Hockey. This is the Land of 10,000 Youth Hockey Coaches. Well, almost. In 2013-14, there were 56,011 coaches registered with USA Hockey, and 8,867 of them — the most in the country — came from right here in our great state. Prominent hockey figures inside and outside the community agree: We're lucky to have the depth and quality of youth hockey coaches in Minnesota. BY JESSI PIERCE AND AARON PAITICH 12 MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // DECEMBER.2014 CHRISTIAN KOELLING COACH-IN-CHIEF MINNESOTA HOCKEY DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPS UMD " "Coaches are the most important part of youth hockey as they have the greatest direct impact on the players. In Minnesota, we are fortunate to have a deep pool of quality coaches, which allows community-based hockey to thrive and our players to develop. The output of players to the NHL and college hockey from Minnesota speaks to the ability of the coaches here in the State of Hockey." The Developers : WHY MINNESOTA HOCKEY COACHES LEAD THE WAY "Minnesota is so unique in that you can walk into a rink on any given night in any town and find ex-pros and former college players coaching among the dads and other dedicated volunteers. Giving back to the game seems to be an inherent part of the culture. A handful of my college teammates are still in Mankato while many others are in the Twin Cities where they are involved with various levels of youth hockey." MATT CUNNINGHAM COORDINATOR COACHING EDUCATION PROGRAM USA HOCKEY