Study Notes from Brittany Howard's Ice Hockey Coaching Session

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Introduction of Brittany Howard

    • New women's ice hockey coach

    • Personal background from St. Thomas, Ontario

    • Recent move from Pittsburgh for coaching position at Western University

  • Playing Career

    • Started playing with London Double S (highest level in the area)

    • Noted difference in women's hockey being Double A vs men's hockey being Triple A

    • Played collegiate hockey at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh:

    • Received a full athletic scholarship

Chapter 2: Grow The Game

  • Robert Morris University

    • Located 20 minutes outside Pittsburgh

    • Unique opportunities for professional networking with:

    • Pittsburgh Penguins

    • Pittsburgh Steelers

    • Achievements:

    • Won the upper dance sportswoman of the year alongside Sydney Crosby

    • Coaching experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins after university

  • Professional Women's Hockey Development

    • Overview of professional experience spanning six years

    • Initial earnings in professional hockey:

    • Howard earned $4,000

    • Olympians averaged $5,000, insufficient for basic expenses

    • Growth of resources and opportunities for women's hockey over six years

    • Participation in four different professional leagues

  • PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League)

    • Inaugural season started two years ago

    • Drafted by Toronto Scepters

    • League expansion:

    • Initially six teams, now eight with the addition of Seattle and Vancouver

    • Plans to add four more teams by the 2026 season

  • Youth Development

    • Worked with the youth program at the Pittsburgh Penguins, coaching youth girls program aged 16-19

    • Challenges and developments:

    • Six players progressed to OHL

    • Changes in drafting rules impacting player pathways to NCAA and NHL

Chapter 3: Western Women's Hockey

  • Transition to Coaching at Western

    • Parental alumni of Western, personal privilege to coach at the university

    • Current team trajectory:

    • Playing at .500 level and aiming for playoff spots

  • Communication Insights

    • Importance of effective communication with players:

    • Personal anecdote from collegiate experience

    • Different approaches are required for different players

    • Example of coach's communication style:

      • Effective for Howard due to her competitive nature

      • Recognized the need for variability in communication tactics for players

  • Coaching Style Development

    • Example of coaching a player (bronze medalist with Czech national team):

    • Notable characteristic: High self-criticism and need for positive reinforcement

    • Transition from non-bilingual to bilingual within a season

    • Emphasis on building trust and communication with each player

Chapter 4: Player and Coach

  • Building Relationships

    • Initial meetings with every player focused on relationship building

    • Importance of transitioning from player to coach to maintain trust

    • Candidate recognition of significant roles and relationships in professional journey

Chapter 5: Player to Coach

  • Networking and Relationships

    • Significance of building friendships and mentorships:

    • Example of mentor from Pittsburgh Penguins that shaped Howard's career

    • Importance of learning and growing within the hockey community

  • PWHL Participation

    • Played in second season of PWHL

    • Reason for shifting from playing to coaching

    • Desire to build coaching resume and knowledge through the Pittsburgh organization

Chapter 6: Conclusion

  • Advice for Aspiring Coaches

    • Emphasized the importance of networking

    • Personal experiences at Robert Morris highlighted the necessity for entry-level positions

    • Importance of hard work, continuous improvement, and dedication in sports careers

    • Final note on the non-traditional hours of work necessary to succeed in sports careers.