In The News

 

January 26, 2012
Q & A With Jeff Eaton, Hockey Director, BWC.

August 29, 2011
By Andrew Chong, editor

1. Jeff, what is your hockey-related experience?
I have been coaching hockey for the past 17 years. I have coaching experience from the youth level to the university level. I am also very involved with elite female hockey within the country. I currently own and operate THE Advantage Hockey Development.

2. When did you begin your role at the BWC?
I was hired by the board of directors and my position took effect on April 1, 2011. Since that time, the majority of my efforts have been focused on securing high-level coaches for the upcoming season.

3. What is your history with the BWC?
The BWC has been a huge part of my life. I had the opportunity to play my minor hockey at the club and serve as the general manager for a seven-year period.

4. How do you feel about this upcoming season?
I am very excited to get the season started. We have an incredible lineup of experienced coaches to lead our teams. All the coaches at the club are non-parent, from Atom and above.

5. How will the BWC grow?
Our growth is driven from our Rascals and Initiation levels. The club is very fortunate to have Inside Edge Hockey to support our Rascal (three to five years olds) and the Hockey 2 level. They continue to do an outstanding job.

6. What is most important about your role?
My number one priority is to provide support and assistance to the entire coaching staff, from the Hockey 2 level to the Juvenile program. Which in return will provide support to all our players within the association.

7. Who will you be working closely with?
I will be working with each team on a regular basis throughout the season, supporting the coaching staff with their on- ice development.

8. What’s new and exciting for 2011/12?
The most exciting event at the club is the current ongoing major renovations in the main building. All the upgrades should be completed by Oct. 1, 2011. Everyone at the club is excited to unveil our new look.

9. What’s your long-term vision?
My long-term vision is to continue our motto at the club, “Where Tradition Inspires Excellence” and to be able to provide the best development and team training possible to our membership.

10. What’s the best thing about having a “hockey job?”
I do not think of my position at the BWC as a job but more of an opportunity to follow my passion and to be part of the best game in the world.
Steelers’ elite female program continues to develop high-end players..

By Melissa McArthur

The year was 1999 – one year removed from the debut of women’s hockey at the Olympics – and the Pacific Steelers were formed to fill the void for an elite U-19 female team in the Lower Mainland. Since then, of course, female hockey has exploded both in participation and competitiveness, and the Steelers program has grown into the premier elite female development program in Western Canada.Today, the Steelers club team, now a member of the prestigious cross-border Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL), are a renowned feeder team to the NCAA and CIS. Over the years, Steelers alumni have gone on to play for some of the top American and Canadian university teams, from Harvard to McGill.In addition to icing a club team, the Steelers organization – founded by Alan Chim, Michael Hillman, and Brett Taylor – also runs a successful spring tournament team and summer showcase camp.Playing in the JWHL has given Steelers players unprecedented access to college and university scouts, something new head coach Jeff Eaton stresses as the key component of the program.

“If you don’t provide [players] with a program where they feel they’ll get exposure, they’ll go elsewhere,” Eaton said, noting that many talented female players have left B.C. for that very reason. “We have to stay on the cutting edge and make sure you give them value.”

The Steelers program appears to be doing just that – for instance, the season-opening JWHL tournament in Vermont will be attended by 120 college scouts.

As Steelers coach, Eaton says his most important role will be allowing each player on the team to maximize their exposure to college scouts.

“Because the program is driven on exposure, I’m trying to get as much as I can for every kid on the team,” he said.

Eaton himself brings considerable coaching experience to the team. Formerly the general manager of Burnaby Winter Club and a head coach of the University of Colorado’s men’s team, Eaton operates his own skill development company called The Advantage Hockey Development. Many of the Steelers’ current players participated in his Team Pacific spring hockey program, influencing his decision to take over the head coaching role.

“Since I’ve coached them before, it’s not really a big change,” Eaton said about stepping behind the Steelers’ bench. “I feel very comfortable taking over the responsibilities.”

As for on-ice performance, Eaton said he would be pleased if his team can put together a .500 record this season in the highly competitive JWHL – a league Eaton calls one of the best female leagues in the world for its age group. Last year, the Steelers struggled in their JWHL season, putting together a 2-21-3 record.

Regardless of one-ice expectations, Eaton said he is eager to coach this year’s edition of the Steelers, who will be bolstered by new additions from Major Midget teams the Vancouver Fusion and Fraser Valley Phantom.

The Steelers roster boasts six returning veterans from last year – forwards Erin Eagles, Madeline Eeles, Katie McPhedran, and Katie Zinn, defenceman Brittany Kimber, and goalie Carly Butcher – and coach Eaton cited overall team depth as a key for this season.

“We’re strong from the first forward to the tenth, our defence, and I’m confident about the goaltending,” Eaton said. “I’m really excited about every player on the team.”

The Steelers travel to the University of Vermont Sep. 3 and 4, where they will take on North American Hockey Academy, Global Selects, Massachusetts Spitfires and Buffalo Bison to open the 2010/11 season.

Article Link
September 28th, 2009
NSFIHA – North Shore Female Announces Jeff Eaton As New Director of Hockey Development.By Tom Kerr

The North Shore Female Ice Hockey Association kicked off the 2009/10 season with a new director of hockey development. Jeff Eaton has assumed the position, promising to bring a renewed focus on development and coaching excellence to the association.

Eaton brings a wealth of experience to the position, including time spent as the head coach of the Pacific Steelers and the University of Colorado Men’s varsity team. Recently, Eaton created Team Pacific, a spring hockey program for female players competing at the Peewee and Bantam AAA level. Eaton summed up his thoughts on his new position with NSFIHA.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be involved with grass roots female hockey in British Columbia,” he said. “I am especially looking forward to working very closely with the players and coaches, and supporting them to continue the success of the association.”

According to NSFIHA board member and coach coordinator Kim Conrad, the association’s Board had several goals in mind when it hired Eaton.

“We always worked to promote development at all ages, but sometimes coaches knew how to coach team strategy effectively but did not feel confident teaching basic individual hockey skills,” said Conrad. “We also wanted to increase the number of team practices, and so we have added more practices and are looking forward to having Jeff work with our coaches to help them more effectively lead split-ice practices.”

Other duties associated with the position included supporting individual coaches and teams, providing individuals skill development sessions, and providing the association with additional organizational support.

Eaton summarized his own goals for the position.

“My number one goal is to create a competitive environment throughout all hockey levels in the association,” he said. “I want to be able to educate all players and coaches about the many opportunity’s available to female hockey players within North America. I also hope to be a coaching mentor for the coaches, which will in return support every player within the association.”

Article Link