HOCKEY ZONES

Volume 22 No. 1 Issue #64

1st Quarter - 2026 Edition

Chad Labelle and

Bobby Zinkan


Tucker Hockey

Head Instructors for the Spring 3 on 3 Program

Get to know Bobby Zinkan and Chad Labelle, the Head Instructors for our upcoming Spring 3 on 3 Program. This dynamic duo are long time friends & teammates! Chad has been involved with the Tucker Hockey 3 on 3 program for 4 years, and Bobby for 3 years,


Read More HERE!


You can also check out their individual Instructor Profiles below đꑇ

Bobby Zinkan Instructor Profile

Chad Labelle Instructor Profile

Trent Corbett


2025 Lyle Hanna

Memorial Award

On Ice Assistant

Instructor Recipient

Trent being presented his Award by

Tucker Hockey Assistant On Ice

Instructor Carter Manning at the

2025 Tucker Hockey Staff Christmas Party.

Trent Corbett grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, where his love for sports—and especially hockey—began at an early age.


He went on to compete in multiple hockey leagues and achieved success across several sports, including earning provincial championship titles.


Trent continued his hockey career at both the college and university levels, all while balancing academics and family life. During this time, he completed degrees in Physical Education and Education.


For the past four years, Trent has been a valued member of the Tucker Hockey team, where he is dedicated to developing players’ skills, confidence, and love for the game.


Congratulations Trent!

Tucker Hockey

Hugh Portman

"Good Sport"

Memorial Awards

Hugh Portman

Tucker Hockey is proud to announce the Hugh Portman “Good Sport” Memorial Awards starting the spring of 2026!


The Inaugural Hugh Portman “Good Sport” Memorial Awards are in memory of Hugh Braybrooke Portman. While living in Calgary, Hugh Portman, his older brother Frank as well as his father Nick were avid participants in our Tucker Hockey year-round programs.

Hugh was a very conscientious student with a keen mind to learn and showed strong coachability traits.


After playing hockey in the Calgary minor hockey system, Hugh grew up to become a talented musician and actor as well as a graduate from the National Theatre School of Canada.

Hugh loved his family, his friends, and animals. He was truly a kind, gentle and caring soul. 

Unfortunately, he lived a short life of thirty years.


In memory of Hugh, please be kind and gentle with the people in your lives.

Tucker Tips


What is

Evasive Skating?


We are what we

repeatedly do –

excellence then –

is not an act –

but a habit.


~ Aristotle


Evasive skating is a tactical game situation skill. A skater seeks to evade, protect and keep the puck away from his or her opponents – to maintain possession of the puck, to make a play and to ultimately generate a scoring chance or a goal.


A player often skates one way, fakes and then goes the other way. It’s deception with the puck. By performing effective evasive skating skills a player will limit his or her giveaways and turnovers in the game.


However, in order to accomplish evasive skating in a game a player requires strong technical skating and puck control skills.

Technical skating consists of forward and backward: balance, edge control, starting, stopping, striding, tight turns, crossovers, pivots and progressions to agility and mobility. This is the fundamentals of skating.

The Tucker Hockey Mission Statement:

Through The Tucker Hockey Way:

  • Instilling the love and passion for hockey

  • Being inclusive to all ages, background & skill levels

  • Improving hockey and life skills in a positive learning environment

  • Making a difference!

This is our Legacy of Values.

Tucker Hockey

Classic Awards



Quarterly Awards


Bradley Mersereau Memorial

Adult Award:


2026 Q1 Recipient

Kyle Westgate


Read more on Kyle HERE!



Danny Cammack Memorial

Minor Award:


2026 Q1 Recipient

Leo Gorenc


Read more on Leo HERE!



Yearly Awards


David Mahoney On Ice Head Instructor Leadership Award


2025 Recipient

Bobby Zinkan


Read more on Bobby HERE!



Lyle Hanna On Ice Assistant Instructor Memorial Award


2025 Recipient

Trent Corbett


Read more on Trent HERE!



Ern Rideout On Ice Apprentice Instructor Memorial Award


2025 Recipient

Nic Morency



We are very happy to acknowledge participants and instructors

who love the game as much

as we do through our

Tucker Hockey Classic Awards.

Bradley Mersereau Memorial 2026 Q1

Adult Award Recipient


Kyle Westgate

Kyle Westgate with

On Ice Instructor Coach Ron

Kyle’s thoughts on being selected for the award:


“The whole description of this memorial rings true to me, especially valuing time with family and, as much as I don’t want to admit it, the line “never represented himself as a good skater or hockey player” is exactly me too.”


Starting the sport at age 40, Kyle embraces both the challenge of developing skating and puck skills and the reward of spending meaningful time with his children on the ice. Inspired by his daughter’s early struggles, Kyle joined Tucker Hockey to improve his abilities and safely support his kids, quickly finding the program both welcoming and motivating.


Despite initial nerves, he has grown to enjoy the learning process and values the opportunity to create lasting memories with his young family.


His dedication and commitment have earned him the Bradley Mersereau Memorial Award, recognizing his passion for growth and enjoyment of the game.


Congratulations Kyle on receiving the Bradley Mersereau Memorial Award!

Tucker Hockey

Staff

Announcement!

Tucker Hockey is very pleased to welcome Damian Miah to the

On Ice Instructor Team as a Mentoring Head On Ice Instruction / Hockey Operations effective 

April 2026. 


Summary of Damian’s hockey instructor background experience & education includes:


Hockey Instructor Experience: 


  • Head of Player Development Explosive Edge Airdrie. 


  • Power Edge Pro - Certified on ice to coach using PEP equipment & techniques. 


  • Assistant Coach with Airdrie Minor Hockey U16AA. 



Hockey Education: 


  • Certified Development 1 Hockey Canada. 


  • Attended Darryl Belfry’s Coaching Clinic to enhance coaching knowledge. 



Hockey Playing: 


  • Played Junior Hockey & Senior Men’s Hockey. 



Damian has conducted private 1 on 1 and group training sessions both on ice and off ice for players ages 2 to 18. 


He has provided skill development (power skating, puck control and shooting) for AA / AAA teams as well.


Damian brings a deep passion for the game of hockey, a strong work ethic and prides himself on a continuous learning /growth mindset. 


His 4 pillars of coaching are:


🏒 Connection

🏒 Communication

🏒 Clarity

🏒 Consistency


Please join us in welcoming Damian to the Tucker Hockey Team!

Danny Cammack

2026 Q1

Memorial Minor

Award Recipient


Leo Gorenc

On Ice Instructor Trent with Leo

Leo Gorenc is 13 years old and has been playing competitive hockey for the past 2 years with an additional 2 years in house league before that.


Hockey is his favourite sport because he loves the competition, teamwork, and the spirit of the game.


Besides hockey, Leo also plays basketball. In his free time he likes hanging out with his friends and playing video games.

Congratulations Leo on being the recipient of the Danny Cammack Memorial Award.

A Special Visitor

from China -


Isaac Sun

Isaac and On Ice Instructor Mike

Tucker Hockey had a very special guest player join us in February 2026. Isaac travelled all the way from China to join us for some “Canadian” hockey training firsthand!


Isaac is a 10-year-old hockey player from Shenzhen, China. He plays as a defenseman, and has been playing hockey for seven years.


Isaac on his experience with Tucker Hockey:


"On the ice, we don’t need many words—we understand each other through our actions. Hockey has no borders, and it made me feel like the world is connected."


Glad you enjoyed the Tucker Hockey on ice experience Issac!

Q1 2026 Poll Question

Who will win the 2026 Men's Ice Hockey World Championship?

Don't miss out on the exciting action of the IIHF 2026 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships May 15th to May 31st!

Results from Q4 2025 Poll

Who will win the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships in Minnesota?



Results from the poll:


Slovakia – 11%

Switzerland – 11%

USA – 11%

Canada – 10%

Czechia – 10%

Denmark – 9%

Germany – 9%

Finland – 9%

Latvia – 9%

Sweden – 9%


Editor's Note:


The 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships was the 50th edition of this prestigious tournament.

 

Sweden won their third championship (last time 2012 in Calgary) defeating

Czechia 4 -2 in the Gold Medal game.

 

Canada finished in third place and Finland in fourth place in the Bronze Medal game.

 

The United States fell short in its bid for a three -peat and did not even win a medal. Showing even with home rink advantage there's no guarantee of winning a medal!

 

The 2027 World Junior Hockey Championships will be held in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta December 26th to January 5th 2027.

 

It's anyone's guess who will win the Gold Medal! It is such a wide open and competitive tournament each year.

 

Stay tuned for some awesome Christmas season hockey this year!

 

Can't wait here! Go Canada Go!!!  

Don't Miss out on Calgary's Premier Hockey Development this Spring and

Summer!

SPRING HOCKEY

Last year our Spring programs sold out. Some Spring 2026 programs are already SOLD OUT!


Don't be disappointed - register TODAY to secure your spot!

SUMMER HOCKEY

Tucker Hockey offers exceptional programs for players of all ages to enhance their skills this summer with a variety of Minor Hockey group programs.


Our Technical Skills / Fundamentals Program, specifically designed for adult hockey development, is a fantastic chance to refine your abilities while enjoying the sport you love in a supportive and inclusive environment.


Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your game!


Plus, take advantage of our Early Bird rates available until Friday, May 15, 2026, and secure your spot at a special price.


Join our dedicated On Ice Instructors this summer for great hockey skill development!

We look forward

to seeing you at the

rink in 2026!

Customer Testimonials

Adult Group

Program Testimonial


I recently attended the Adult Fundamentals and Specialty Skills programs. I really enjoyed the sessions and the coaching; I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I’m grateful that Tucker Hockey provides programs for Adults who want to better their hockey skills and have more fun playing the game.


Finding quality coaching programs for those who have aged out of minor hockey or who are finding hockey later in life can be challenging. Tucker Hockey does an incredible job of meeting players where they are. Having played house league for 10 years, and men’s league for another 20, I was going into the programs with an open mind ready to correct my built-up bad habits and take in new learnings. My last couple of seasons have felt a little blah, I felt slower, less effective, and less engaged in the play.


I found the program structure really valuable, and I loved the focus on repetition and progression, it was a perfect approach to break down any bad habits and reinforce the proper mechanics. Through the 16 sessions, I picked up new skills, polished a LOT of old ones, and have a renewed vigor for hockey.


I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to Rex, Ron, Jimmy, Frank, Bobby, Mike, Korwin, Carter, Faith, and Alannah for all your guidance, professionalism, and passion for what you do. You helped reignite my passion for hockey and I’m feeling more confident than ever going into this upcoming season.


For any player of any skill level, I would highly recommend Tucker Hockey for your hockey development needs. Thanks so much!


~ Andrew L. – Spring 2024

Minor Group

Program Testimonial


“I just wanted to say thanks to all the instructors for helping Sidney so much over the past few weeks as he transitions into hockey and retires his snowboard. He is very excited for his hockey season to start! Take care and thank you again.”



~ Orrin D., parent to Sidney – Summer 2024

Tucker Hockey Offers Exceptional Value with our Hockey programs!

We do this through:
Experience the
Tucker Hockey Difference TODAY!

Hockey Zones Newsletter is Celebrating it's 22nd Anniversary This Year!! 🎉🎉🎉

Hockey Zones is

Tucker Hockey's Official E-Newsletter Reinforcing Hockey's Positives to All Ages!


Read more about the Hockey Zones Journey HERE!


4 Quarterly Editions Published Per Year:


  • Winter / Q1
  • Spring / Q2
  • Summer / Q3
  • Fall / Q4

Managing Editor:


  • Rex Tucker


Publisher:


  • Candace DiGiacomo


Layout & Design:


  • Candace DiGiacomo


Official Photographer:


  • Terence Leung


Contributing Writers:



  • Rex Tucker
  • Tara Flannery
  • Candace DiGiacomo
  • Damian Miah
Any day is a good day for hockey!
ice hockey player in action kicking with stick

Tucker Hockey

(403) 998 - 5035

programs@tuckerhockey.com

https://www.tuckerhockey.com/

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