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Coaching Requirements

Updated Coach Education Pathways

Updates have been implemented to Hockey Alberta’s Coach Education Pathways, with new and/ or updated requirements and qualifications for the 2024-25 hockey season.

Here is what you need to know.

1. CLINIC STRUCTURE

The overall structure of clinics remains the same with an:

  • Online component; and
  • In-Person clinic (including classroom and ice time).

2. ONLINE COMPONENT

The Hockey Canada Learning Lab has replaced Hockey University for the Online component. This has resulted in the naming changes outlined below. When registering, please search for the clinic/ course names listed below in bold.

  • Hockey Canada Coach Clinic (hosted by Brightspace) -> previously HU-Online
    • Hockey Canada Coach 1 AND Hockey Canada Coach 2 -> previously HU-Online Coach 1 & 2
      • NOTE: Coach 1 and Coach 2 are now two separate courses.
      • NOTE: The Player Pathway modules will be available to the Coach once they have completed the main Hockey Canada training.
    • Hockey Canada Skills – Checking -> previously HU-Online Checking Skills
    • Hockey Canada Safety Program – Level 1 -> previously HU-Online Trainer/Safety

3. IN-PERSON CLINIC

In-Person clinics also have new names as outlined below. When registering, please search for the clinic names listed below in bold.

  • Hockey Alberta – Coach 1 – Intro to Hockey Clinic -> previously Coach 1 – Intro to Coach
  • Hockey Alberta – Coach 2 – Minor Leagues Clinic -> previously Coach 2 – Coach Level
  • Hockey Alberta – Intro to Principles of Checking -> previously Checking Skills

NOTE: The are no naming changes to Development 1 or High Performance 1.

4. Clinic Registration

Prior to registering for a clinic, each coach needs to complete the HCR (Hockey Canada Registry) registration process (see HCR tab below). Once that process is completed, a coach can sign up for a clinic review their qualifications:

Upcoming Coach Clinics ›

5. COACH REQUIREMENTS

ALL coaches still require:

  • Respect in Sport – Activity Leader (see RIS tab below)
  • One Team Official per team requires Hockey Canada Safety Program – Level 1 (see Safety tab below)

Requirements for each level of hockey are outlined in the Chart tab below:

2024-25 Coaching Requirements - Must be completed by November 15, 2024.

DOWNLOAD FULL CLINIC CHART (PDF) >

To register for clinics and view qualifications, coaches need to complete the following three-step process:

Step 1: Create an HCR 3.0 account, by clicking on the link below and following the instructions.

Create an HCR 3.0 Account ›

Step 2: Once your new account has been created, you need to link it so that your previous records transfer to your new account.

Link Account >

Step 3: Register for your clinic (through the "Upcoming Coach Clinics" button below).

Required coaching courses are hosted across the province, beginning in September, and ending November 15.
Upcoming Coach Clinics ›  | View Your Coach Qualifications >

This four-hour online program is an introduction to team safety, injury recognition, fair play code and code of ethics, safety at the rink, injury management and the Emergency Action Plan. The teams Safety Person will gain the information and confidence needed to be the go-to-person on your team for health, wellness, injury recognition, safe and proper recovery and Return to Play procedures. 

  • This training is valid for three seasons from the date of completion (expiring on September 1). Once expired, one must re-take the online course, or apply for Level 2 status (with appropriate qualifications).

Register for Online Safety >

Safety - Level 2

Those who have completed the online Hockey Canada Safety Program - Level 1 and are a minimum of Standard First Aid, or Medical Professionals are eligible. Safety - Level 2 grants a maximum of an additional three years onto the initial expiry date of the Hockey Canada Safety Program - Level 1 course. The new expiry date is relevant to the expiry of additional medical training and can continually be renewed and re-submitted for up to a maximum of an additional three years.

Apply for Level 2 >

Parents and coaches/team officials are required to complete the Respect in Sport program. Certification in the Respect in Sport program is valid for up to four seasons and is associated with a May 1 expiry date.

The Respect in Sport Program is an online certification program designed to protect our youth as well as enhance Hockey Alberta’s mandate of providing a safe and fun environment for all of our participants. It is Canada’s leading online bullying, abuse, harassment, and negligence prevention program for parents, coaches, and community leaders.

Respect in Sport Activity Leader/Coach/Officials

The Respect in Sport Activity Leader/Coach Program educates coaches and activity leaders to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination. It may be the single most important training leaders receive to assist in creating a safe, healthy and respectful environment for all participants. NOTE: Speak Out is no longer recognized as a relevant program for coaches.

RESPECT IN SPORT COACH - LOGIN ›

RIS - Help Desk

When contacting the Help Desk, please ensure you provide clear information about the issue you are experiencing, the governing body which requested you complete the program, and the phone number (including area code) at which you may be contacted.

To contact the Respect Group Inc. Help Desk:

Respect Group Helpdesk Support is available 6 A.M. to Midnight MST. Support is available by phone, email or live chat.

1. Go to hockeyalbertaparent.respectgroupinc.com and click on Helpdesk Support in the lower left corner of the login page, or log into the program and click on the "Help" tab in the banner.

2. Go to support.respectgroupinc.com, and click on "Contact Us."

3. Call 1-866-956-9791.

4. Email [email protected].

Respect Group takes your privacy seriously. By submitting a request for information by email to a general or specific Respect Group email address, you are consenting to have a representative of Respect Group contact you by email.

1.     I am a U7 to U18 Minor League Coach who completed the previous requirements (HU-Online Coach 1&2, HU-Online Checking Skills, In Person Coach 2 and Checking Skills). Do I need to take the new clinics?

  • No.
  • This includes the new Player Pathway modules, if a Coach previously took HU-Online Coach 1&2 they DO NOT need to take the Player Pathway modules.

2.     I am a U7 to U18 Minor League Coach who completed the previous ONLINE requirement(s) (HU-Online Coach 1&2, HU-Online Checking Skills) but no In Person clinics. What IN PERSON clinics do I need to take?

  • Hockey Alberta – Coach 2 – Minor Leagues clinic
  • Hockey Alberta – Checking clinic.
  • You do not need to take the new online courses including the new Player Pathways.

3.     I am coaching U9. Do I need to complete the Coach 1 modules as well as the U9 Player Pathway?

  • Yes, you will need to complete the Coach 1 modules before taking the appropriate Player Pathway modules.

4.     I am coaching U9. Do I need to complete the U7 Player Pathway as well as the U9 Player Pathway for the new Coach 1 qualification?

  • No, a Coach only needs to complete the Player Pathway for which they are rostered.  They DO NOT need to complete any previous Player Pathways.
  • Another example would be a U15 Coach only has to complete the U15/18 Player Pathway and NOT the U11 or U13 Pathway.

Note: A coach rostered in multiple age categories will need to complete all corresponding Player Pathways for which they are rostered to IF they are the Head Coach of each team.  If the coach is a Head Coach of a U11 Team and an Assistant Coach of a U13 Team they would only be required to complete the U11 Player Pathway.

5.     I am coaching U11 AA. What are the coaching requirements?

  • Hockey Canada Coach 2
  • Hockey Canada Coach 2 – U11 Player Pathway
  • Hockey Alberta – Coach 2 – Minor Leagues
  • Hockey Canada Skills – Checking
  • Hockey Alberta – Checking

6.     I am coaching U13 AAA. What are the coaching requirements?

  • Development 1
  • Hockey Canada Skills – Checking
  • Hockey Alberta – Checking

7.     I am coaching Junior B or Junior C. What are the coaching requirements?

  • The requirements for Junior B, Junior C and Junior Female are Respect in Sport (if a minor-aged athlete is registered and/or affiliated with the team) and One Team Official requires Hockey Canada Safety. 

8.     I have registered for a Hockey Canada Coach Clinic. When can I access the materials?

  • Once a Coach has registered for a Hockey Canada Coach Clinic, they will have access to the clinic and material at any time. This includes for Coach 1 and Coach 2 all of the player pathways. When a coach needs to update which player pathway is required, they may take that specific pathway at no charge. 

  • Player Pathway modules will become available to the Coach once they have completed the main Hockey Canada Training.  For example, once a U7 Coach completes the Hockey Canada Coach 1 course they will on the bottom left-hand side of their screen notice the U7 Player Pathway module populate for them.  The Coach will then be able to clinic on the U7 Player Pathway module and enter into this training.  

9.     I previously took the HU-Online Safety course do I need to take the new Hockey Canada Safety Program - Level 1? 

  • No, an individual who still has a valid HU-Online Safety qualification will not need to take the new Hockey Canada Safety Program - Level 1 until their HU-Online Safety expires.