The Season

About the Book

Although written primarily with the coach in mind, The Season will also be of interest to those who enjoy the game of hockey and want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes during a hockey season. In addition to enhancing the understanding of the game, it will hopefully provide a useful planning blueprint for coaches at any level.

The book starts with a focus on preparation; the mental and physical preparation of the athlete as well as the seasonal preparation and planning requirements of the coach. It then goes on to examine the evaluation and selection of a team. Ideas for establishing an effective process and important considerations for assembling a well-balanced team are examined.

As the journey through the season continues, practice planning and game strategies are discussed thoroughly. Many diagrams of practice drills and illustrations of team systems are provided. The final chapter focuses on the playoffs. Ideas for sharpening the focus of the team as it prepares for this important time of year are provided. The book concludes with a look into the future for players and coaches and then provides some suggestions about finishing off the season on a positive note.

Readers will find that , The Season provides them with some great coaching resources. Written in a clear and easy-to-understand style, the author relates many personal stories, ideas and opinions that will be useful and thought provoking.

About the Author

Doug Ringrose grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and played most of his hockey there. After his junior hockey years, he took a hiatus from the game to focus on establishing a career and starting a family. Drawn back to the arenas because of the interest that his young sons had developed, he has been behind the bench ever since.

To prepare himself for the challenge of coaching, Doug spent many hours watching practices of the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team. Their team oriented philosophy and positive approach to the game provided a strong foundation for him. In his early coaching years, Ringrose worked with the Whitemud West Hockey Association in Edmonton where in addition to coaching, he established their coach development program. His strong teams were successful and accumulated a number of city and provincial championships. More importantly, however, his players developed a love of the game and many of them have gone on to enjoy success at the junior, college and professional level.

More recently, Doug's focus has been with the older age groups ... primarily involved at the AAA and junior level. In the off-season, he has been actively involved as a coach in Hockey Alberta's™ Program of Excellence. Doug continues to be an avid student of the game. In addition to attending many seminars and conferences, he has achieved his advanced level of coaching certification. He holds a Master's Degree in Education and is as a full time business instructor at Grant MacEwan University.