Mike King is RHP’s Director of Player Development. He joined the RHP team in January 2012 after spending the last year in the player development field- working for former Los Angeles Kings skating coach Robby Glantz as well as working for The Hockey Academy as a head on ice skills and skating instructor. Prior to coaching, Mike spent parts of 2 seasons playing minor professional hockey both in the United States and in Europe. Mike also saw success at both the collegiate and junior A level prior to playing professionally.

Mike’s goal is to instil the value of skill development in all areas of hockey to the athletes that train at RHP. By mastering the basic fundamentals of hockey, players are able to reach their highest potential in the sport.

Mike hopes that his passion for the game of hockey and willingness to continue to learn all aspects of skill development will allow him to become one of the best skills and skating instructors in hockey.

"I strongly believe that you must coach to develop hockey players, coaching just to win is acceptable only at the highest levels. If you do not create a strong foundation of individual skills then players will never reach their full potential in game situations."

Larry Bedard, a Sudbury native, has over 30 years of coaching and instructing experience and brings a passion for the sport and pedigree that is second to none. Larry is certified at the highest level of coaching under the National Coaches Certification Program.

Larry has coached at the highest level possible as a player development coach with the New York Islanders of the NHL. He has also organized conditioning sessions for NHL players prior to their training camps. Larry has won Ontario and National Championships on a number of occasions including a recent TELUS Cup National Title with the Sudbury Nickel Capitals Midget AAA Organization. He was also a head instructor for Mega Sport and Mitron High Performance Hockey Systems for 19 years and was recently an associate coach for the OHL Cup. Larry is now a course instructor for Development 1 of the National Coaches Certification Program and is an associate coach for the Under 16 Program.

Larry has clear coaching and instructing objectives which are physical conditioning, social education, commitment and discipline, striving for perfection and a focus in on-ice vision and awareness. He is a true teacher in the game of hockey!

"My goal is to provide all athletes the opportunity to develop the technical, physical, intellectual, social, emotional and ethical aspects of the game"

Willy is one of the most well-rounded teachers of hockey in the North. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Willy has over 10 years of directing Mitron High Performance Hockey Systems. In addition he has 15 years of coaching experience and is one the best in terms of teaching the comprehensive skill of Body Checking. He has been a coach with the Under 17 Hockey Program for 3 years, as well as 2 years as a scout with the Lakehead University Men’s Hockey Program.

“I have always been about skill development. My definition of success is to lay out a foundation in which athletes can continuously be taught, challenged and prepared for the next level.”

Dave has been one of the top coaches and instructors in the province for a number of years. Dave has coached a number of teams in the Sudbury area including the Sudbury Jr. Wolves, Sudbury Minor Midget AAA, Sudbury Bantam AAA and has been a head instructor at a number of hockey schools. He has also been a guest coach at the under 16 Northern Ontario Program of excellence, a regional evaluator for the under 17 program and a scout in the Ontario Hockey League for 10 years. Dave was nominated for Sudbury House of Kin “Coach of the Year” in 2007, guiding the Jr. Wolves to the league championship.

“My Goal is to give players a better understanding of how to reach their full potential in the game of hockey.”

Lisa has over 20 years of coaching experience. She is an NCCP Certified Level 3 Figure Skating Instructor with additional qualifications in Special Olympics and Powerskating. Her hard work, passion and commitment to athletes have enabled Liza to develop beginner skaters into provincial competitors. After achieving her degree in Fitness and Leisure Business and with her experience as a competitive skater, Lisa fully understands the determination and dedication that are needed to compete at the highest levels.

“Teaching athletes and children alike is not only about the here and now, but rather what we can teach them now that will be useful to them throughout their lives.”

Matt Luoma is one of RHP’s Finnish instructors. He is currently studying Sports and Leisure Management and Hockey Coaching at the Finnish National Sports Institute and is completing his internship with RHP until June 2012. Upon completion of his time here, he will be a certified IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Level 5 Coach—the highest category recognized by the IIHF.

Matti possesses excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of Hockey. Having played the game at both professional and semi-professional levels, Matti found it a natural transition to coach once his playing career came to an end. He has been coaching for the past 4 years, 2 of which he has been coaching semi-pro calibre in Australia (AIHL). Matti has also run year-round Hockey development schools and camps in Finland and Australia.

Matti has a true passion for the sport. He has honed his own skills in stickhandling and shooting and is dedicated to helping other players reach their athletic goals.

"This is a great opportunity for me to experience the Canadian Hockey culture, as well as to learn about the people and the culture and hopefully little bit of French as well. I love the game of Hockey, and I love working with kids of all ages who are motivated to learn more about the sport."