Hockey Zones E-Newsletter: 2nd Quarter

HOCKEY ZONES

Volume 22 No. 2 Issue #65

2nd Quarter - 2026 Edition

Instructor Profile

Damian Miah

Tucker Hockey proudly welcomed Damian Miah as our new Full-Time Mentoring Head On-Ice Instructor / Hockey Operations in April 2026.

A lifelong student of the game with a deep passion for hockey, Damian brings a unique blend of playing experience, coaching expertise, and a relentless commitment to player development.

From his beginnings in Windsor, Ontario, to building his coaching career in Alberta, he has dedicated himself to helping athletes of all ages and skill levels reach their potential.

Known for his energy, enthusiasm, and growth mindset, he has worked with everyone from first-time skaters to elite-level players, continually investing in his own development through coaching certifications, mentorship opportunities, and leading player development programs.

Damian believes that hockey is “Poetry in Motion”. This is reflected in his passion and purpose which Damian brings to every athlete, every session, and every opportunity to help players grow both on and off the ice.

Join us in welcoming Damian to the Tucker Hockey Team!

Read more on Damian HERE!

Spring 2026

3 on 3

Re Cap

Lions

Group 1 Division Champions

Tucker Hockey’s 2026 Spring 3 on 3 season wrapped up this June, at the Rose Kohn Arena.

Each of the 8 teams played an exciting 36-minute game during their last session which showcased how much development all the players gained over the prior 15 sessions.

Both Group 1 (U13 – U15) and Group 2 (U16 – U18), had a Championship Trophy Game as well as Award presentations for:

Most Goals Award
Most Assists Award
Most Improved Award
Leadership Award
Hardest Worker Award
Hugh Portman “Good Sport” Memorial Award

We enjoyed watching all the players work hard developing their skills and tightening up their game play with our fast paced 3 on 3 shifts.

Click HERE for the Full Re Cap!

Predators

Group 2 Division Champions

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.

For more details on the Awards, including Eligibility & Criteria, click HERE!

Tucker Tips

Consistent vs.

Reactive

Development

We are what we

repeatedly do –

excellence then –

is not an act –

but a habit.

~ Aristotle

Too often in hockey, players get cut from a desired team and do not reach their goals.

Unfortunately, many players and parents realize too late that extra development was certainly needed to reach and play at this higher level of the game.

Over the years, we have received many phone calls and emails from parents inquiring about extra skill development; mostly to improve their son’s or daughters skating ability AFTER not making a certain team.

This is a reactive development approach.

Advancing up the hockey pyramid becomes more challenging and competitive at each higher level of play.

Just because a player played U9 Division 1, there’s no guarantee he or she will play U11 Division 1, etc. Being a good skater at U9 may not be good enough for the U11 level!

Continuous growth is critical for long term player advancement.

Read the full article HERE!

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 Q2 Recipient

Ethan Coates

Read more HERE!

Danny Cammack

2026 Q2

Memorial Minor

Award Recipient

Thomas Zhi

On Ice Instructor Damian with Thomas

Congratulations Thomas on being selected for the Danny Cammack Memorial Award!

Understanding

Player

Development

"Teaching Skills

VS.

Running Drills"

What separates meaningful player development from simply keeping players busy on the ice?

In this article, Tucker Hockey instructor Damian Miah explores the important difference between teaching skills and running drills.

He highlights how purposeful instruction, individualized feedback, and age-appropriate skill progression help players develop stronger habits, greater confidence, and long-term success.

Discover why effective coaching is about more than just the drills—it’s about creating an environment where every player can learn, improve, and enjoy the game.

Read the Full Article HERE!

Q2 2026 Poll Question

Who will go first in upcoming NHL draft?

Other

Don't miss out on the 2026 NHL Entry Draft - June 26 & 27, 2026 bring held in Buffalo, New York.

Check out 2026 NHL Draft Coverage HERE 🏒

Results from Q1 2026 Poll

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

Results from the poll:

Czechia – 13%

Finland - 13%

Canada – 11%

Germany – 11%

Slovakia – 11%

Sweden – 11%

Switzerland – 11%

USA – 11%

Other – 11%

Editor's Note:

Finland won their first title in 4 years defeating the hosts Switzerland 1 - 0 in an exciting Gold Medal overtime game.

Surprising Norway stunned Canada in overtime to win the Bronze Medal! It was Norway's first medal ever from the tournament. The previous best result for Norway was a fourth place finish in 1951.

Next year's tournament will be held from May 14 to 27, 2027. Hosted by Dusseldorf and Mannheim, Germany.

Group A (Mannheim)

Switzerland
Finland
Sweden
Germany
Lativa
Austria
Slovenia
Ukraine

Group B (Dusseldorf)

Canada
United States
Czechia
Slovakia
Denmark
Norway
Kazakhstan
Hungary

Stay tune for another exciting and unpredictable hockey competition! Can't wait here!!

SUMMER HOCKEY

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

Summer!

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 Adult 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!

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

Last year many of our Summer programs sold out. Some Summer 2026 programs already have LIMITED SPOTS!

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

Minor Summer Programs

Adult Summer Programs

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