coach didmon develops successful HOCKEY PLAYERS

Coaching Background

Craig Didmon has well over fifteen years experience of coaching hockey and twelve years of experience teaching. Craig is currently the head instructor of the expanding Hockey Canada Skills Academy that he runs out of Spencer Middle School. He is also the newly appointed head coach of the South Island Thunderbirds Major Midget team.

Craig also spent two years working with Geoff Courtnall as the associate coach of the Victoria Grizzlies. He joined the Grizzlies after a successful five year stint as Head Coach and General Manager of The Victoria Cougars (Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League).

Craig was one of sixteen coaches from across Canada chosen to attend the High Performance II Seminar hosted by Hockey Canada in Oshawa July 5-10, 2010. This seminar marks the beginning of an intensive two year certification process!

Craig has worked with many local minor and Jr. B hockey players who have moved up to Junior A and beyond such as Brandon Wong, NCAA; Gary Nunn, WHL; Michael Hamilton, NCAA; Ryan O’Byrne, NHL; Kurt MacDonald, NCAA; Spencer Carberry, NCAA; Craig Parkinson, NCAA; Zach Currie, NCAA; Cody Carlson, WHL; Brad Hoban, WHL; Geoff Irwin, NCAA; Mitch Fadden, WHL; Dan Gendur, WHL; Tyson Barrie, WHL; Sean Robertson, BCHL; Danny Lapointe, WHL; Justin Courtnall, BCHL; Mike Hammond, BCHL; Devon Lang, BCHL; Jordan Zalba, BCHL; and Thomas Kala, BCHL.

Craig Didmon:

• Compiled a regular season record of 152-58-24 with the Cougars and coached them to three Division titles, two League titles and a Provincial Championship.
• While with the Cougars, 17 players successfully moved on to Jr.A and Major Junior
• Runs a Hockey Canada Skills Academy out of Spencer Middle School
• Ran the summer development hockey camps at UVic
• Coached at the Can Am Junior Prep camp in Comox & Alberni Vally for 4 years
• Is a NCCP Advanced Level Coach
• Is an Alumnus of the BCHL where he played three seasons in Cowichan and Victoria from 1989-1992.

Hockey Skill Development and Motivation

Craig is a coach that works hard to develop players to make them their best player through rigorous on ice and off ice programs that are both challenging and fun. Motivating players and empowering them with the confidence to perform at their maximum ability is Craig's specialty.

Craig is dedicated to the game of hockey, and is constantly studying and broadening his knowledge of the technical aspects through attending International Coaching Conferences at various locations across Canada as well as Hockey Canada Skills Academy Seminars in Calgary.  He continues to be a up to date with fresh ideas and strategies to help motivate and inspire his players.