2024-25 U12 Rep B Stittsville Rams
Dear Parents & Players,
Hi, my name is Patrick Cusson, and I am the coach of the U12 Rep B Stittsville Rams. This is my sixth year as a head coach and my third with SMHA. Over the past eight years, I have volunteered as an assistant coach, trainer, and head coach across three different associations: SMHA, KGHA, and SGHA formerly GGHA. The experience that I have gained in these roles have contributed to my growth as a coach. My interest in leadership and my quest to better understand the role of a coach and the game of hockey itself, have contributed to my style over the last few seasons.
My goal is to continue to evolve and grow as a coach, mentor, and leader with the help of our players throughout the season. A premium will be placed on skill development and team play. Success will not be gauged on the number of wins and losses, or the number of trophies won at the end of the season. It will be gauged by our level of compete, and how we treat each other as teammates.
Skill development and leadership are paramount. Players selected to play this season will possess a team-first mentality, heart, and grit. Practices will be fast-paced and challenging. Players will develop their on-ice technical skills while engaging in small area games (SAGs), and battle drills to improve their play both with and away from the puck.
My expectation is that players will prepare for practices the same way that they do for a game. Hard-work, competition, and team play are not a suggestion. They are a requirement. “Without effort, your talent is nothing more than unmet potential. Without effort, your skill is nothing more than what you could have done but didn't.” - Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Players and parents should expect on average, 4-5 hockey related activities over the course of the week. This includes weekends. The week will include a series of practice(s), game(s), tournaments, and/or off ice training. As a member of the U12B Stittsville Rams, we ask that players and parents place our team ahead of other extra-curricular activities and commitments.
Certain priorities supersede hockey: mental and emotional well-being, family, and school, all fall into this category. Life is busy and plans at times change quickly as a result. If something should arise where your player must miss a training session, practice, game, or tournament, I ask that you reach out to me ahead of time to inform me.
Our tournaments for the year are as follows:
Halton Hills Best of the Best, October 11-13, 2024
Sudbury Silver Stick Regional Play-down, November 14-17, 2024
19th Annual Capital Mid-Season Showdown, presented by the Stittsville Rams, Nov 29-Dec 1st, 2024
Peterborough “A” Tournament, January 31-February 2, 2024
If you have any questions about the tryout process, please reach out to Mike Kemp, Director, Competitive at [email protected]. Good luck to all in tryouts and the upcoming season.
Thank you, Patrick