By Haylee Winger
Two Redwater hockey coaches have started a new development company with the goal of giving
young players more opportunities to work on their skills without having to travel long distances
or pay high prices for development programs.
Shawn and Tyler started True North Hockey Development to give back to the sport that played a
major role in their own lives and to provide development opportunities for players in rural
communities.
The company held a hockey camp at Pembina Place on September 19 and 20, followed by
another camp at the arena on October 3 and 4.
The pair also hopes to work with Minor Hockey Associations and bring development directly to
teams in their home communities.
Shawn has more than 15 years of coaching experience. He has coached U15 AAA female, U15
AAA male, U15 AA and U15 teams and has spent more than five years coaching with Redwater
Minor Hockey, working with players from U7 through U18.
He has also run hitting clinics with South Side Athletic Club and Redwater Minor Hockey.
Shawn played 10 years of minor and elite hockey. He started in Edmonton before moving to
Sherwood Park, where he finished his minor hockey career. He also represented Southern
Alberta Midget AAA at the Challenge Cup and played two seasons of Junior B hockey.
Tyler played more than 10 years of minor hockey in Prince George, B.C. He finished with Prince
George Midget AAA before signing with the Columbia Valley Rockies of the Kootenay
International Junior Hockey League.
He has also spent the past three years working with Redwater Minor Hockey, coaching players
from U7 through U18. His coaching experience includes helping with the Encounter Sports U15
spring hockey team in 2022, and he helps teach Learn to Skate in Redwater.
One of the things that sets True North Hockey Development apart is its team-based approach.
Rather than having individual players travel to a development camp where they may not know
anyone, Shawn and Tyler travel to the team’s organization and home arena to work directly with
the players.
The coaches said some young players can feel nervous when they attend camps where they do
not know the other players or where there is a large difference in skill levels. Working with teams
allows them to develop together in a more familiar setting.
The company also wants to reach players who may not otherwise have access to hockey
development because of where they live or the cost of travelling to other programs.
Their philosophy is simple: “Develop the player. Build the character. Trust the journey.”
For Shawn and Tyler, development is about more than what happens on the ice. They want
players to understand the importance of work ethic and effort, while also building relationships
and becoming good members of their communities.
True North Hockey Development plans to continue working with Minor Hockey Associations
and bringing development opportunities to players in rural communities.