Jul 15, 2024 | Kelsey Crispin | 399 views
A letter from your coach!
Welcome to the 2024/2025 U10 Mississippi Thunderkings!
Hello Parents and Players,
My name is Iain Thomson, and I am grateful to have been chosen as Head Coach for this
season’s U10 team. I have played hockey from a young age, and continue to love being
involved in the game as both a player and coach. For the last five years I have been an
assistant or head coach with Almonte Pakenham Minor Hockey Association.
My goal as a coach is to lead by example, and be a positive role model for parents, other
coaches, and our athletes. I believe that hockey is a means to develop skills and general
athleticism, but more importantly the character of our young men. Work ethic, determination and
perseverance, respect and sportsmanship, are all traits that I believe can be developed in
hockey and transferred from the rink, to life and school.
This season our coaching staff will foster a safe, respectful, and fun atmosphere, but one that is
built upon a competitive, growth mindset. Players should expect to be challenged by coaches to
deliver their best efforts in practices and games in a positive and productive manner. We will
follow the Hockey Canada U11 Pathways, and fair play will be adhered to.
Practices will be organized, fast-paced, and designed to reinforce individual skills and tactics,
while introducing basic team tactics / systems. As much as possible we will utilize small area
games, and game-like situations in practice to develop our athlete’s decision-making skills in
games.
Hockey is a team sport. The strength of our team will depend on our ability to work together,
support each other, and trust our teammates. Every member of our team will have an important
role to play in contributing to the team’s success.
I am looking forward to working with our athletes, coaches, and parents during a competitive,
challenging, and rewarding season. I would encourage all interested athletes to come to tryouts,
and wish them the best of luck. Please check-in on the MTK website for information related to
pre-tryout summer skate sessions to prime your athlete for success.
I have registered our team in the following tournaments:
Essa Eagles Fall Classic – October 25-27, 2024 (travel)
Northumberland Silver Stick – November 22-24, 2024 (travel)
Bell Capital Cup – December 29-31, 2024 (local)
Capital Winter Classic – January 17-19, 2024 (local)
Best Regards,
Iain Thomson