08_USAH Coaches Aug.09:USAH Coaches 7/16/09 10:18 AM Page 8

Coaches BY HARRY THOMPSON USA HOCKEY SYMPOSIUM LINEUP A WHO’S WHO OF AMERICAN HOCKEY COACH SA Hockey’s Level 5 National Coaching Sym - OF THE M ONTH posium has long been a meeting of the best and brightest hockey minds coming together Uto exchange ideas.This year the event will be a celebration of American hockey at its finest. The Level 5 Symposium, which will take place Aug. 12-15 in St. Paul, Minn., will have an Olympic theme to it as both the men’s team coach Ron Wilson and women’s team coach Mark Johnson are slated to be in attendance. Topping the list of prestigious speakers will beTeam Ken Dixon USA’s general manager Brian Burke as well as assistant Avon, Conn. men’s coach JohnTortorella, and , who As an engineer and was the of the 2006 U.S. OlympicTeam. a West Point gradu - Also slated to speak at the symposium will be Ed ate, Ken Dixon loves Olczyk, who coached the Penguins from 2003 to 2006 to take something and is now a color commentator for NHL broadcasts on apart and figure out

NBC and VERSUS. G

E how it works. He also T T “The presenters are all top notch guys who like to Y likes to teach. I M A teach and want to give back,” said USA Hockey Coach - G E That’s why the Level S ing Director MarkTabrum. “We are thrilled to have such 4 coach loves to be on Former NHL and Olympic coach Peter Laviolette a prestigious group of speakers for this year’s sympo - the ice with players of will be among the impressive lineup of speakers sium.This is really a who’s who of American hockey.” at the 2009 National Coaching Symposium. all ages, but especially The symposium will be held at the St. Paul River Cen - young ones just start - tre, and the Crowne Plaza will serve as the host hotel. think about the game in a new light, we’re making a ing out. Dixon loves it This marks the second time the Level 5 will be held in difference.” so much he is on the ice anywhere from six theTwin Cities. It was also held in Minneapolis in 1999. The National Coaching Symposium began in 1978 in to 10 hours a week. Other events were held in Salt Colorado Springs, and has evolved into a bien - Dixon also founded Lake City (2001), Pittsburgh nial event that typically features a number of pro - the Connecticut (2003), Grand Rapids (2005) and 2008-09 fessional, college and international coaches Coaching Northern Lights Girls Rochester, N.Y. (2006). discussing vari - program with his wife Clinics Typically held every two ous aspects of in 2004, and has built years, the National Hockey 34,305 coaches coaching. the Lights into the Coaches Symposium is open attended USA In honor of largest girls’ program only to coaches seeking their Hockey coaching the event return - in the state. Level 5 accreditation, the pin - clinics through - ing to the Twin Dixon has also been U

out the 2008-09 S instrumental in form - nacle of the USA Hockey Coach - A Cities, Tabrum H O

clinic season C ing an instructional

ing Education Program. K said the first E “We are sold out and have • Level 1 – 10,988 Y night of the program for moms • Level 2 – 8,792 a waiting list of coaches who symposium will be dubbed Hockey who are looking for a • Level 3 – 12,513 little fun, exercise and want to come,” saidTabrum. Night, and will feature guest speakers such as • Level 4 – 2,012 camaraderie. “The demand is definitely long-time player and • Total No. of “I like teaching,” there. If we can get coaches to administrator Lou Nanne. clinics – 664 says Dixon. “It’s rewarding to see a AMERICAN HEAD COACHES IN THE NHL beginner become a good skater. It’s what (left) Todd Richards keeps me coming Grand Haven, Mich. Crystal, Minn. back to the rink.” The Liberty Mutual Responsible S E Joe Sacco Scott Gordon Ron Wilson G ™

A Sports program supports M I Medford, Mass. Brockton, Mass. Windsor, Ontario Y volunteer coaches and parents. T T

E Colorado Avalanche

G Proud Sponsor of USA Hockey.

8 USA HOCKEY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2009