My name is Dave Di Giovanni, and I am the Head Coach
of the East Gwillimbury Eagles U15A Team for the coming 2021/22 season. I would
like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.
I started my hockey career playing minor hockey and high school hockey in Thornhill and have been playing and/or participating in the game ever since. I’ve supplemented my experience by playing ball hockey and refereeing at different levels, and more recently through coaching. My coaching experience includes various roles on multiple benches in the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association over 6 years and as assistant coach at the U10A and U13A levels in the East Gwillimbury Minor Hockey Association. In short, I love the game of hockey! It has taught me many valuable lessons on and off the ice, helped me develop a strong work ethic, and shaped the person I am today.
My objective as a coach is player development and fostering a lifelong love for the game of hockey. It is not enough to just “light this fire”, it needs stoking with the fuel that comes from learning the correct skills, behaviours, and attitudes that allow the players to become the best they can be both on and off the ice.
My coaching philosophy focuses on the importance of team unity, self-confidence, sportsmanship, responsibility, discipline, mental toughness, a desire to compete, and having fun playing the game of hockey. I want my teams to be characterized as very disciplined, sportsmanlike, and extremely motivated to put in an intense effort on the ice every practice and game.
Based on this, I am looking forward to being a small part of our players’ hockey adventure and hope to provide them with lessons they can take forward into the future. My plan will focus on skills and training that is both on and off ice. On ice, through regular practice with the coaching staff and other skills experts where possible. Off the ice we’ll focus on a comprehensive strength training program that will help them build the functional strength they’ll need for the challenges hockey with body checking will bring.
However, the role of coach goes beyond player only interactions. The coach must maintain open and ongoing communication with the parent group, coaching staff, and the Association, to ensure a fun and successful season for all involved. To this end, assistant coaches, team manager, and trainer will be very important contributors to the development and implementation of the team’s strategies and plans.
I am looking for players who are focused, dedicated, willing to work hard and open to learning and constantly improving. In representative hockey, it is important to understand that we are a team on and off the ice. Both player and parent alike should consider what it means to be part of the team and to be a great team player. This means understanding our roles on the team, and how our actions, behaviors and attitude directly contribute to the team’s success. While it’s a big commitment of time and effort, I want it to be rewarding for all involved and I look forward to what promises to be a challenging and fun season!
To participate in tryouts, you MUST register online by Thursday September 23rd. Please let me know if your player has or has not attended a body-checking clinic through EGMHA or elsewhere prior to the first tryout.
Tryouts will take place on the following dates:
· Friday, September 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
· Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
· Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
· Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
I am looking forward to seeing your player come out and compete hard!!!
Best of Luck!
Coach Dave