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Ontario Hockey League Introduces Performance Development League

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 04/23/18, 4:15PM EDT

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Off-season development initiative incorporates Small Area Games

The Ontario Hockey League announced the launch of the new OHL Performance Development League (PDL).

The OHL PDL is an off-season development initiative targeted at young players incorporating Small Area 3 on 3 Games with weekly skill specific development sessions over an 11 week program.

The concept of the OHL PDL has developed with full support from Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF). All parties are excited to introduce a progressive and engaging development platform that creates an opportunity for minor hockey players to be exposed to OHL quality teaching methods, technical skill development, and new skill acquisition.

“The Ontario Hockey League is proud to introduce the Performance Development League for Minor Hockey players to enhance their skills through the growing popularity of small area games,” said Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events. “The program has been designed to engage young athletes in a fun, fast paced, skills focused environment, as they grow their love of the game in preparation for the season.”

Register Now for the OHL PDL

The program will be offered at Whitby’s Iroquois Park Sports Centre and Mississauga’s Iceland. A total of 56 participants will be accepted at each location divided into four teams each comprised of 12 skaters and two goaltenders. Eligible players must be registered with the OHF, entering Bantam (2004) or Minor Bantam (2005) AAA or AA programs for the 2018-19 season.

Click here to register.

The OHL’s introduction of the first Small Area 3 on 3 Games league facilitates a practical setting for players to hone the execution of skills that are learned during drill and video work sessions.  Sessions will be led by OHL personnel with special guest coaches creating a premier and unparalleled off-season development experience for minor hockey players in Ontario.

“This is a great opportunity for Minor Bantam and Bantam aged players to work on their skill development in small area games,” said Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director. “This is an exciting new program and the skills learned by the players can be carried over and applied into next season.”

The inaugural PDL season will be played from Sunday June 3, 2018, through Sunday August 26, 2018, with a total of 11 weekly Sunday evening sessions excluding long weekends.  Sessions will be an hour long beginning with 25 minutes of skills development, succeeded by 25 minutes of Small Area 3 on 3 Games.

There will be a number of professional guest coaches and alumni at each location.

Mississauga PDL

Name Role Information
James Richmond Guest Coach General Manager & Head Coach, Mississauga Steelheads
Stefan Legin Guest Coach Skill Development Coach, Mississauga Steelheads
Jeff Kyrzakos Guest Coach Asst. General Manager & Asst. Coach, Mississauga Steelheads
Brendan Taylor Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Mississauga Steelheads
Luca Caputi Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Guelph Storm
Adam Dennis Guest Coach Asst. Coach & Asst. General Manager, North Bay Battalion
Liam Herbst OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni
Stephen Gibson OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni
Aaron Berisha OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni
Michael Cramarossa OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni

Whitby PDL

Name Role Information
Nathan McIver Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Oshawa Generals
Derrick Walsner Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Peterborough Petes
Mike Duco Guest Coach Skill Development Coach, Peterborough Petes
Wes Wolfe Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Erie Otters
Greg Nemisz Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Oshawa Generals
Todd Miller Guest Coach Asst. Coach, Barrie Colts
Nick Zottl OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni
Scott Simmonds OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni
Jake Smith OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni
Jake Friend OHL Alumni Team Coach Player Alumni

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