ABOUT MIKE
Welcome to Mike Knight Hockey Development. The program and system of teaching was developed by Mike after five years playing professionally (AHL, ECHL, Europe) and four years playing in the OHL. Since Mike's playing days, he has been busy teaching and coaching players of all levels (Minor, Jr, Pro) and is a former NHL Skills Development Coach. Originally from Toronto, Mike gained a lot of teaching experience working with some of Toronto's top Hockey Schools and had the opportunity to be mentored by former NHL Skating & Skills Coach Graeme Townshend. In 2016, Mike launched The Hockey Department in Ottawa, an elite level hockey school that worked with the areas top level players. For seven successful years, Mike was operating as the Owner/Lead instructor and built numerous progressive programs and camps for elite level players from the AAA Peewee level up the the Pro level every year. In the fall 2022, Mike scaled his work load down and transitioned to Mike Knight Hockey Development which focuses on private group training. Mike's Professional playing career, combined with over 18 years of teaching experience, has allowed him to develop a program that only gets results!
This development program is designed for motivated players that want to receive elite level training in a professional environment and reach their highest potential.
Mike's teaching philosophy evolves from the deep understanding that every player learns differently and has different strengths and weaknesses. Mike understands the relationship with his players is 50/50 as they both learn from one another to maximize the player learning experience. This evolved teaching style has a goal of providing the player a more personalized development experience which yields lasting results. Players are challenged to be comfortable while being uncomfortable by consistently performing out of their comfort zone when learning new skills. Players never plateau in this teaching arena as Coach Mike is continuously monitoring the players progression and understands when to scale a skill up or down. The secret recipe for success that players learn is hard work, consistency and to do more when no one is looking.
Some main areas we focus our development on are skating and dynamic edge control, stride development, puck handling skills, shooting techniques, puck protection skills/techniques, high patterned game situation development, position specific development and hockey IQ. Most of our drills you will not see anywhere else and we are continuously explaining why and when to use these skills in a game situation.
Game performance development is the ultimate goal for all players, so getting the players thinking and performing skills they will repetitively face in a game, we find, is the best proven way to train. Players will be taught up to date, as well as, forward thinking game concepts that are proven at the highest level by the best teachers and coaches in the game. Mike is a student of the game himself and is continuously researching the game and isn't afraid to challenge a concept or skill to try and find a better way of executing.
We're focused on providing continuous correction, perfecting the fundamentals and mechanics of each skill being taught whether it be a new or familiar skill. Mike is passionate about providing the best development, instruction and service to each player.
All players should be well informed about their ongoing progress, Mike is happy to provide feedback anytime and appreciates the opportunity to train and mentor the players along their hockey journey!
