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ABOUT NORCAN HOCKEY
Mike McGinnis
With over 20 years of development experience in hockey, I have dedicated my career to helping young athletes grow both on and off the ice. My journey began as a U18 AAA and Junior A player, and for the past two decades, I’ve focused full-time on coaching, player development, and scouting. Since 2003, I’ve coached teams ranging from U13 to the collegiate level, collaborating closely with players at every stage of their development.
As a current scout with the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL, I have spent 8 years identifying and evaluating talent in junior hockey, most notably contributing to the Chilliwack Chiefs’ national championship in 2018. I also have an extensive background with Team Alberta, having served for 15 years across various roles including Coach, Assistant Coach, Coach Mentor, and Evaluator for provincial programs such as the Alberta Cup, Prospects Cup, and Challenge Cup.
For the past 9 years, I served as Manager of Player Development with Hockey Alberta, where I was part of a team who helped shape the growth of young athletes across the province. I obtained certification as a Skill Development Coach through Hockey Canada in 2016, which has helped me to understand player progression at a deeper level and become a leader in skill-based coaching internationally.
In addition to the coaching and development work, I have been a presenter at major events such as The Coaches Site Conference (2024) at the University of Michigan and the Global Skills Showcase (2023). In 2025 I have appeared on multiple podcasts, including The Hockey Think Tank, React Forge, and
The Mental Game Academy, sharing technical insights on the game and mental performance based on my firsthand experiences.
Outside of direct coaching, I have been an industry leader in video analysis and resource creation for over a decade. The NorCan Hockey YouTube and Instagram accounts often generate over 1M+ views per month which supports a global community of engaged players and coaches who rely on our insights to elevate their game. Through detailed breakdowns, skill tutorials, and strategic content, I have
contributed to the development of thousands of coaches and athletes at all levels, shaping the way modern hockey is taught and understood online.
Being fully immersed in the hockey community for 20+ years has afforded me the opportunity to build a vast network, I have direct connections at the AAA/Junior/College/Pro levels in Canada and the US. These connections provide valuable insight into the recruiting and drafting process and keep me
informed about the latest technical/tactical trends being implemented by the top programs in North America.
Every asset and experience I have gained will be applied and leveraged to provide NorCan Hockey clients the support and insights required to reach their full potential!
Coaching Philosophy:
Mike is dedicated to studying the intricate details of hockey, aiming to demystify complex concepts for players and coaches alike. He employs a teaching approach that combines video analysis with descriptive language and realistic training scenarios, facilitating a deeper understanding of the game.
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The Coaches Site - "Mike is a student of the game and loves to study hockey’s finer and often overlooked details in an attempt to create clarity. His personal approach utilizes video examples coupled with descriptive language and game like training scenarios. Through his various roles, including Coach Development with Hockey Alberta and Skill Instructor for Hockey Canada, Mike is on the ice with more than 500 athletes annually, which has been instrumental in applying and experimenting with learned techniques."
