SMHA COACHING CLINICS

Coach and Team Staff Certification Requirements

Hockey Saskatchewan requires all certifications to be obtained by December 20th annually. Clinics are offered from October to December

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2026-2027 HOCKEY SASK TEAM STAFF CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL AGES AND LEVELS OF PLAY

 HOCKEY SASK REQUIRES ALL COACHES TO REGISTER FOR CLINICS ONLINE VIA HOCKEY SASK AND SPORDLE

2026-27 update:
hockey sask has changed from respect in sport to a new online course called the shift forward.  those who have ris already are grandfathered through june 1, 2028 and then will be required to take the shift forward.

hockey sask has removed the on-ice portion of the development 1 clinic.  the in-person classroom session remains in place.

2025-26 update:
hockey sask has removed the on-ice portion of the checking certification for coaches involved with u13 and older.  checking certification is now 100% online only.

the only coaching clinic remaining with an on-ice component is development 1.

IMPORTANT: HOCKEY SASK HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES EFFECTIVE WITH THE 2024-25 SEASON:

MEMO FROM BLAINE STORK AT HOCKEY SASK - August 21, 2024:

MHA,

Coach education continues to evolve and change to meet the needs of the coach! Beginning with this season coach education is transitioning to the Hockey Canada Learning Lab.

The Hockey Canada Learning Lab will include several new features that will benefit administrators and users alike, including:

• Requiring a single sign-on with the Hockey Canada Registry

• Option to download text as an MP3 file

The Hockey University courses are being replaced by the Hockey Canada Learning Lab.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Each course has a PRE-REQUISITE to take before being able to register for the training

CHECKING certification requirements

• U9 & U11 head coaches can just have the online portion of the course,

• HU-Online Checking or the new Hockey Canada Skills-Checking

• U13 through U18 head coaches must have the full certification (the online course plus attend the ice session), this full certification will show on the coach profile as COACH INSTRUCTIONAL STREAM – CHECKING SKILLS 1

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM HOCKEY SASK

** IMPORTANT **Hockey Saskatchewan Coach Certification requirements for 2026-27:

- *The deadline to obtain all certifications is December 20th

- *Team staff that do no have all of their required coacing certifications / courses by December 20th will BE INELIGIBLE  to be on the team's Provincial roster or on the bench for Hockey Sask Provincial Playoff games.

- *The Fine for each CERTIFICATION transgression is $100 - $50.00 to Hockey Sask and $50.00 will be donated to the SMHA Memorial Cup Legacy Fund

General Questions on Certification and Clinics?  Please contact Irene Andres-Kidd in the SMHA office for information. Irene can be reached at 306.244.1363 or by email at smha@sasktel.net

Coaching Certification Levels and Requirements  

SHIFT FORWARD / RESPECT IN SPORT
All registered team officials 18 years of age or older on all teams (no exceptions) must attain their SHIFT FORWARD or already have Respect in Sport certification by December 20th of the current season. Shift Forward is available on-line through the HS website andcosts $22 to take online.  Please obtain reimbursement from your home zone after you have completed the Shift Forward. 

CHECKING CERTIFICATION
All Head Coaches must also complete the online Checking 1 course.
U9 & U11 Head Coaches must obtain the Hockey Canada Learning Lab Skills-Checking  Checking 1 course . This online course is free of charge.
*** Head Coaches of Female teams (U9-U18) and no body checking teams in minor hockey are required to have their complete Checking Certification.

COACH GOALTENDER CERTIFICATION
All minor and female teams from U9 to U18 must have a registered Head Coach or Assistant Coach that has the Coach Goaltender Certification.  This individual must also have obtained Respect in Sport. December 20th of the current season is the deadline.  This course is online only and free of charge.

SAFETY CERTIFICATION
Each team must have one (1) team official listed as either Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager, Trainer, On-Ice Volunteer or Stick Person attain their Hockey Canada Safety Program certification by December 20th of the current season. This individual must also have Respect in Sport. NOTE - THIS COURSE IS AVAILABLE ONLY ON-LINE THROUGH HOCKEY SASK'S CLINIC PAGES and is free of charge to take.

TO BE INSURED YOU MUST BE REGISTERED
All on-ice "helpers" or bench "gate swingers" must be registered on the team certification form. They can be listed as an On-Ice Volunteer,  Stick Boy or an Assistant Manager if they do not / will not have their coaching credentials.  If they are age 18 or older. they are required to have completed Shift Forward or Respect in Sport and a have submitted a clean Criminal Record check. If they are not listed and registered as a team offical, they ARE NOT INSURED.  Do not put someone in this position.

TEAM MANAGERS
The Team Manager only needs to be listed for insurance purposes on the Hockey Canada database if he or she will ever be helping on the ice at practices or on the bench at games.  If not, do not list the team Manager as a registered (insured) team official.  Once they are listed, the team is required for the cost of the HC insurance plus the individual will be required to have Respect in Sport and obtain a Criminal Record Check.

** REMINDER THAT ALL REGISTERED TEAM OFFICIALS ON SMHA TEAMS MUST SUBMIT A CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK TO THEIR HOME ZONE BY November 20th EACH SEASON.

Notes:

• Coach 1 (Intro to Coach) certification must be attained if coaching (Head Coach or Assistant Coach) teams in U7 OR U9. Coach 2 will not be accepted. Coach 2 is required for coaching (Head Coach or Assistant Coach) U11 & older teams (unless a higher certification requirement is specified)
• REMINDER THAT DECEMBER 20TH  IS THE DEADLINE EACH SEASON TO OBTAIN REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS OR COURSES  

** Team officials that do not obtain their required coaching certifications by DECEMBER 20TH will be subject to a $100.00 fine from HOCKEY SASKATCHEWAN / SMHA** for each transgression.  The coach will also be locked out from registering the next season until the courses are obtained.
** $50.00 will be donated to the SMHA Memorial Cup Legacy Fund by SMHA

Thank you Coaches and Volunteers!

Blaine Stork
Senior Coordinator, Development - Coaching
Hockey Saskatchewan
#2 – 575 Park Street, Regina SK  S4N 5B2
T: 306.789.5101       E: BlaineS@HockeySask.ca