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In episode #274, we sat down with Bert Gilling, Head Coach of Mount Royal University, at Hockey Calgary’s Leadership Day. The event brings together hundreds of coaches from across Calgary to kick off the season, break bread over dinner, hear technical presentations, a keynote speaker, and of course the Glass and Out Podcast.
In 2014, Gilling was named the Head Coach of Mount Royal University, a program he has turned into a perennial contender in Canadian University Hockey, otherwise known as USports. At the start of the 2024/25 season the Cougars were tied for first place in Canada West thanks to a 7-1 start.
Listen as he shares how to design an optimal practice environment, building two-way relationships with your players, and the need for more mentorship in youth hockey.
Audio Timestamps:
- 4:30 Measuring success early in the season
- 7:30 Speed early in practice
- 11:30 Ideal number of staple drills
- 17:10 Training ugly
- 19:50 The journey isn’t over
- 23:50 Building relationships
- 27:30 Empowering your staff
- 31:10 Effort, energy, execution
- 33:50 Having a mentor
- 37:55 Key building blocks for a competitive program
- 43:30 Making the complex simple
- 46:40 Playing for Mike Sertich
- 50:50 Shot blocking
- 53:10 Go to resources
