Burlington Barracudas Bantam AA : Welcome

Welcome From the Coach

My name is Steve Gibson, coach of the Burlington Barracudas, Bantam AA team, for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. I am very glad to be back for another season with the Bantam team and am eager to build our hockey skills and knowledge from this past season. My goal for the upcoming season is to increase each player’s knowledge, understanding and skills of how to play the game.  My philosophy has always been that ‘in order to play the game, you must be able to think the game’. During the course of this coming season, we will be utilizing the resources of some outside, expert instructors (shooting; skating; skills) to further develop our knowledge and skills.  Understanding the importance of female role models/ mentors for our players, we will be utilizing the resources of several  of our talented, female affiliate coaches and Senior players (CWHL) who will be joining us for practices.  At this very crucial age we feel it very important that we help each player to increase her confidence, and as such our goal is to give each girl positives from which to build and grow.  I look forward to meeting with and working with all of you that wish to make this team. Having no daughter on this team, I am here strictly because of my passion for the game and thoroughly enjoy teaching players who are committed.  Along with my coaching staff, we plan on pushing players to play at their highest level. I have always said that you cannot teach ‘intensity’  and subsequently we will be looking for team players with intensity, the drive to push themselves, to step outside their comfort zone. My goal is to have a team comprised of players who are dedicated and willing to work hard and selflessly for the betterment of the team.  

The Program

In conjunction with the Burlington Girls Hockey Club (Barracudas), we are pleased to announce our new, joint program for the Bantam AA, Midget AA, Intermediate AA (Junior) and Senior (CWHL) AAA teams for the 2008-2009 season. These four teams will be working closely together during this upcoming season, sharing skill development sessions; regularly scheduled joint practices as well as player call ups for both practices and games. We feel the integration of the four teams will further enhance and develop the skills of all of our athletes. The thrill of being on the ice with the likes of Becky Keller will  be certain to help our players push their skills. These teams are all committed to the program which will commence in the fall. For highlights, please refer to the ‘New Program for 2008-2009’ link and for the complete details please go to the Barracudas website, Player Development Program, found at:  http://www.barracudashockey.com/rep_teams/Barracuda%20Development.pdf   

 I look forward to seeing everyone at tryouts.

Steve Gibson    sgibson12@rogers.com

Please see The Bantam AA tryout schedule by clicking on the link to the left.

Tryout dates, times and locations have now been posted for all teams on the Barracuda website at http://www.barracudashockey.com/rep_teams/Tryouts/Schedules/tryout_schedules_2008.htm

If you have any questions about the Bantam AA team please feel free to contact myself or Greg Gillies (Director of Competitive Operations)