CoachThem

Owner Spotlight: Mike Weaver

Author: Mike Weaver | | Categories: CoachThem , Defence First Hockey , Mike Weaver , school

Owner Spotlight: Mike Weaver

I’m Mike Weaver, proud owner of Defence First Hockey School.

I look forward to sharing my story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know me better.

I grew up in Brampton, Ontario. I went to North Park Secondary School and attended University at Michigan State University.

In addition to my career in the NHL, I have been involved with youth hockey skills development for the past fourteen years. I opened Defence First Hockey School to make our youth hockey players better by not just playing the game but also thinking the game. Students are taught to take back control of the game. The objective is to make somebody else’s puck ours but how do you do that? Now that's the tough part, how do you teach that?

We teach the thinking part of the game. Instead of reading and reacting to what that offensive player does, I teach initiate and dictate. Not letting the offensive player have control is our goal... TAKE BACK CONTROL!

On average, I work for nine hours a day during our camp season. The most important decisions I face on a regular basis are related to evolving my business to stay current, finding new ways to make our kids smarter both on and off the ice, and reminding our parents and players to enjoy every minute of their journey through childhood.

As the owner and head instructor, I make every private, semi private, clinic, or camp a unique experience. Our students are taught to look around and think before making a move. Being here and there, at the same time, is what is expected! It makes them efficient players.

The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing my students use what I’ve taught them. Not to mention, seeing smiles on faces never gets old! As a word-of-mouth camp, receiving referrals lets me know I’m doing something right. There is so much love and passion that goes into organizing each camp and teaching session, and I feel honoured when parents choose Defence First.

When you want something to happen in sports you push, push, and push. However, in business, there is a communication factor that has a learning curve. Tracy Cobham, our Director of Administration and Programming brings a calm energy that has created organization and efficiency to Defence First.

When I’m not working at Defence First, company that developed a coaching tool called CoachThem. It’s a platform that enables coaches to create a drill or practice plan easily on any device, with a browser to be shared with your coaching staff. Tracy keeps everything organized off ice and CoachThem keeps our instructors organized on ice. On my off times I enjoy spending time with friends and family.

I have enjoyed sharing my story about the things which matter to me and how they influence the way I do business.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our expertise in hockey skills training in Toronto, Ontario, I invite you to get in touch. Please visit our website at www.defencefirst.com.

Sincerely,

Mike Weaver



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