Player Development

Player Development Philosophy

The Junior Sharks have made a commitment to each individual’s skill development. The Jr. Sharks strive to accomplish this by:

  1. Follow USA Hockey’s American Development Model and Long Term Athlete Development programs.
  2. Hire and train competent coaches. Jr. Sharks coaches must apply each season. Once they have been hired, they must attend 2 coaching seminars. The preseason seminar lays out how the SJJS expectations of the coaches, and assures coaches follow the standard laid out in the Player Developmental Guide. 
  3. Lay out the framework for success through the SJJS Policy Manual and SJJS Player Developmental Guide. 
  4. Have position and skill specific coaches who attend practices on a regular basis. For example: goalie, skating, shooting, passing, and stick handling. 
  5. Create a competitive environment. The SJJS tries to place individuals at the correct age, skill, and dedication level so that the player can compete against individuals similar to themselves.
  6. Require that coaches give regular feedback to each player at the beginning and end of the season.
  7. Require teams to do age appropriate off-ice workouts that complying with USA Hockey’s Long Term Athlete Development program. Bantam and Midget teams will have regular contact with the Jr. Sharks gym and strength and conditioning coach. The Squirt and Pee Wee teams will work regularly outside using our shooting gallery and stick handling aides.