2024-25 U18 A/AA Season Introduction, News, U17/U18 A, U17/18 Travel (Woodstock Minor Hockey)

Greetings to all U18 Jr. Navy Vets prospects,

I'd like to provide the parents and players with well communicated intentions for the 2024-25 U18 A/AA program. This communication is intended to give assurance to those interested in attending tryouts, that the U18 program in Woodstock will provide a high level of development and an optimal player experience.  

Nathan Herrington - Head Coach
U18 A/AA Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets
associationheadcoach@gmail.com
519-223-1699




U18 A/AA Team Philosophy

Our coaching staff will deliver a focused approach to the uniqueness of today’s player while understanding a variety of coaching strategies that are necessary to get the most out of each character. With open communication and listening skills being well established, we encourage the player and on appropriate terms the parent to partner with us in improving the seasonal plan related to the individual. With the entire team in mind our goal is to ensure a like-minded commitment to a team first environment. This is to promote a healthy camaraderie, respect for each other and the game and to develop a passion for competition together. Intention in our routines is to be reinforced to provide clear purpose to what we do and what the desired results should be. Attention to detail specific to game situational play and deliberate execution will be expected to benefit the team and not the individual. We are a team that shows a commitment to preparation, and we have the versatility to adjust our approach situationally for the success of the club. Our willingness to work and our support of one another will enhance our reputations, creating an identity for us as a team that we can be proud of. We carry a professional demeanor that showcases pride in this program’s image, and we represent our community as leading role models, setting a standard for those that witness our teams’ values. A member of this team will display qualities such as reliability, enthusiasm, positivity, resilience and a willingness to battle adversity. Teammates will build each other up, hold each other accountable and develop a genuine belief in each other.

Bench & Team Staff

• Head Coach: Nathan Herrington
• 1st Assistant Coach: Max Groenewegen
• 2nd Assistant Coach: Kiefer Morton
• 3rd Assistant Coach: (RECRUITING)
• Trainer: (RECRUITING)
• Manager: (RECRUITING)
• Game day Media & Socials: Hayden Nowell

Tournament Intentions - UNDER DEVELOPMENT

• Sept 20-22 –Hespeler Shamrocks Early Bird (WAITLIST)
• Nov 15-17 - Waterloo Gold Puck – (WAITLIST)
• Nov 22-24 – Silver Stick Qualifier – (Pelham)
• Dec 27-30 – Wayne Gretzky International (Brantford)

Weekly Practice Routine

• Monday @ 9:15-10:35pm: Skating & skills specific development and goaltender instruction.
• Wednesday @9:15-10:35pm: Small Area games, team tactics and systems review.
• Tentative Optional Skate: Shared ice skill sessions, TBD with U16 & Jr.’ C’

Team Building & Educational

• September 28th- Altitude McMaster: A full day event that establishes an early team building environment for both players and parents. A team bus will travel the group to McMaster University where we will be taken through a variety of team building challenges to establish trust, teamwork, communication, work ethic and respect.
• November 1-3 - NCAA College Experience: Weekend trip to Niagara College, Canisius & Fredonia State – TBD. This trip will include team practices at NCAA facilities and a well-rounded introduction to both Div III and Div I hockey programs.

Jr. ’C’ Navy Vets Partnership Efforts

• U18 players to consistently attend Jr. C practices.
• Player and program development will be in consultation with the Jr. C Navy Vets.

Team and Player Mindset Measures

• Pre, Mid, & Post Season individual player meetings: Each player will attend three personal meetings to help develop player identity and define three key areas of improvement to be attained.
• Team Values PACT: Individual commitment to an environment we agree to create. This will be through a poster format and with a signature from each player and coach. This is posted in the dressing room for all events.
• 2024-25 Individual Season Dedications: Each member will proudly dedicate this season to someone that inspired, supported or empowered them to play this game. We will share with others why this person or people are important to us and then commit our efforts to honor them.
• Keys to Gameday: Each pre-game routine will feature three keys to our success as a team. These keys will support our team structure and help guide our game plan.
• Hockey IQ binders: Delivery of learning materials for players to review during downtime at home. This will involve a team structure package, inspirational thoughts, and fun materials to keep things light.
• Video Teaching & Correction – Coaches’ tablet to be utilized to complete team video and brief individual sessions complementing our team structure developments and progressions.
• Intention Award – When appropriate, a team award is granted to a player showing the greatest INTENTION. Intention is defined as a player’s commitment to execute what is expected situationally. For example, if we as a team have been lacking discipline and our goal is to see it corrected in a particular game the player that leads us in this category is deserving of the Intention Award.

Contact information

Nathan Herrington - Head Coach
U18 A/AA Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets
associationheadcoach@gmail.com
519-223-1699