coach certifications / 2026-2027

Southwest Hockey follows Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada certification requirements to ensure a safe, positive, and development‑focused experience for all participants.

Coaches must, at minimum, complete the four (4) Southwest Hockey Requirements before stepping on the ice with their team. Then no later than November 15, complete the balance of required Hockey Canada certifications to remain on the Official Team Roster.

IMPORTANT ... If being reimbursed for certifications is important to you, please review all information to confirm your eligibility for reimbursement BEFORE registering for any certifications. If a certification is taken and it was not a required certification - coaches will not be reimbursed. 

DID YOU KNOW? ... Southwest requires a minimum of 2 Assistant Coaches in U7 & U9 and 1 Assistant Coach in U11-U18  on each team to complete the required Head Coach certifications outlined by our governing bodies? Why? During the hockey season the Head Coach may not be able to perform their duties 100% of the time due to illness, suspension, or other personal reasons; and having additional coaches with the required certifications helps keep the team properly certified.

CONFUSED BY YOUR CERTIFICATIONS? ... Contact our SHA Registrar

COACH CERTIFICATION FLOW CHART

The Coach Certification Flow Chart outlines all required certifications by age division, including Shift Forward, Safety, Coach 1 or Coach 2, the Player Pathway Module, and checking‑related courses that must be completed in order to stay on the Official Team Roster.

Coaches - Can check their Hockey Canada Spordle Account for expired certifications.

SHA REQUIREMENTS - BEFORE PERMITTED ON ICE

Southwest Hockey ("SHA") requires, at minimum, that the following four (4) items (TeamLinkt Register to Coach, PIC/VSC, Shift Forward-Coach & HCAN Safety) be completed by ALL Southwest Hockey Coaches BEFORE being permitted on the ice, the bench, or to be added to an Official Roster.

1. TEAMLINKT REGISTER TO COACH

This form takes approximately 10-minutes to complete and is completed each season.

2. POLICE INFORMATION CHECK ("PIC") / VULNERABLE SECTOR SEARCH ("VSC")

Online form that takes approximately 30-minutes to complete. Once on file, then is valid for three (3) seasons.

IMPORTANT - Coaches only have 90-days to download their completed Record Check in order to keep a copy for further access. After 90-days, the Record Check automatically expires and is NO longer accessible. Calgary Police Service also cannot recall it either. 

3. shift forward - coach

This program completely replaces the former Respect in Sport (RIS) - Activity Leader certification for all coaches, trainers, and team staff.

4. Trainer/safety - hockey canada safety program level 1

Hockey Alberta Course # 2026000428
Online - Duration 2-3 hours.  Can be completed in stages. Valid for 3 seasons.

HOCKEY CANADA CERTIFICATIONS - DUE NOV 15th

Updates were implemented to Hockey Alberta's Coach Education Pathways, with new and/or updated requirements last season. The Hockey Canada Learning Lab has replaced Hockey University for the online component.

Coaches who do not complete the required certifications by the November 15th deadline will not be added, or will be removed from the Official Roster.

The following three (3) courses are hosted by Hockey Alberta across the province beginning in September and ending November 15th.

1. coach 1 (U7 & u9) --- 2 parts

PART 1 - HOCKEY CANADA COACH 1

Hockey Alberta Course #: 2026000423

Online: Duration 2-3 hours. 
This is the prerequisite for the in-person HA Coach 1 Intro to Hockey

Note:
  • U7 Coaches must complete: Hockey Canada Coach 1 AND U7 Player Pathway.
  • U9 Coaches must complete: Hockey Canada Coach 1 AND U9 Player Pathway.

All "Player Pathway" modules will be available at the completion of this online course. 

Note: When registering, ensure you select YOURSELF as the participant - NOT your child.

PART 2 - HOCKEY ALBERTA COACH 1 - INTRO TO HOCKEY

Hockey Alberta Course - Multiple course are offered across the city

In Person: Classroom Only - Duration 3 hours
Prerequisite - must complete the "Hockey Canada Coach 1" course and the corresponding U7 /U9 Player Pathway module before attending this in-person clinic.

Note: When registering, ensure you select YOURSELF as the participant - NOT your child.

2. coach 2 (U11 - u18) --- 2 partS

PART 1 - HOCKEY CANADA COACH 2

Hockey Alberta Course #: 2026000424

Online: Duration 2-3 hours. 
This is the prerequisite for the in-person HA Coach 2 Minor Leagues Clinic

Note:
  • U11 Coaches must complete: Hockey Canada Coach 2 AND U11 Player Pathway.
  • U13 Coaches must complete: Hockey Canada Coach 2 AND U13 Player Pathway.
  • U15 Coaches must complete: Hockey Canada Coach 2 AND U15 Player Pathway.
  • U18 Coaches must complete: Hockey Canada Coach 2 AND U18 Player Pathway.

All "Player Pathway" modules will be available at the completion of this online course. 

Note: When registering, ensure you select YOURSELF as the participant - NOT your child.

PART 2 - HA COACH 2 MINOR LEAGUES

Hockey Alberta Course - Multiple course are offered across the city

In Person: Classroom Only - Duration 3 hours
Prerequisite - Must have completed 100% of the "Hockey Canada Coach 2" course and the applicable "Player Pathway" before attending.

Note: When registering, ensure you select YOUSELF as the participant - NOT your child.

3. checking (U11 - u18) --- 2 partS


PART 1 - HOCKEY CANADA SKILLS - CHECKING

Hockey Alberta Course #: 2026000425

Online: Duration 2-3 hours. 
This is the prerequisite for the in-person HA Intro to Principles of Checking Clinic. Coaches are expected to complete 100% of the online course before attending the in-person

Note: When registering, ensure you select YOURSELF as the participant - NOT your child.

PART 2 - HA INTRO TO PRINCIPLES OF CHECKING SKILLS

Hockey Alberta Course - Multiple course are offered across the city

In Person: Classroom Only - Duration 3 hours
Prerequisite - Must have completed 100% of the "Hockey Canada Skills Checking" course  before attending.

Note: When registering, ensure you select YOURSELF as the participant - NOT your child.