The Coaches Site Live Minnesota

Coined as the "Ted Talks of Hockey", The Coaches Site Live is an immersive experience, featuring presentations from hockey's top leaders. At its core, the conference is about showcasing the best ideas on the ice and stage, as it hosts an unrivalled network of coaches and experts in athletic performance.

In a new collaboration between The Coaches Site, the Minnesota Wild and Skate it Forward, TCS Live is headed to the State of Hockey for a two-day coaching masterclass to kick off the 2025/26 hockey season.

Created for passionate coaches from mites to high school and beyond, this event will allow attendees to learn innovative lessons on player development, team building and seasonal planning - and is guaranteed to provide a spark of energy for the year ahead.

PRESENTERS

TCS Live Minnesota will host 19 presentations from some of hockey's top leaders. Including:

BRAD TRELIVING

Toronto Maple Leafs

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Brad Treliving enters his second season in Toronto after being named the 18th General Manager in Maple Leafs history on May 31, 2023.

Treliving joined the Maple Leafs after spending the previous nine seasons as General Manager of the Calgary Flames. During his tenure in Calgary, the Flames had a regular season record of 362-265-73. Treliving also served as co-General Manager of Canada’s 2016 IIHF World Championship team, which captured a gold medal in Russia.

Prior to his time with the Flames, Treliving held the role of Vice President of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager with the Phoenix Coyotes for seven seasons, where he also served as the General Manager of the Coyotes’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates, the Portland Pirates and San Antonio Rampage. In 1996, Treliving co-founded the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) and served as the league’s Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for five years. In May of 2001, he helped facilitate the merger of the WPHL and the Central Hockey League (CHL) and was subsequently named President of the CHL, a position he would hold for seven years before joining the Coyotes organization.

During his playing career, the Penticton, British Columbia native suited up professionally for five seasons in the AHL, the ECHL and the IHL after playing in both the BCJHL and WHL as a junior.

Treliving, 55, and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Ryann and Reese.

KATHERINE HENDERSON

Hockey Canada

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Katherine Henderson was named president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada on July 4, 2023.

Before joining Hockey Canada, Henderson was the chief executive officer of Curling Canada, where she successfully led initiatives to introduce new Canadians to the sport, spearheaded pay equity for Canada’s men’s and women’s curling teams, and drove a financial turnaround of the organization’s business model. Previously, Henderson was the senior vice-president of marketing and revenue for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games organizing committee and held progressive roles in marketing and branding with Whirlpool Corporation, Colgate Palmolive Canada, Campbell Soup Canada and General Mills Canada.

A leader in the greater sport community, Henderson attained a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Western University, an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and a master’s degree in theological studies from the University of Toronto.

BEN BARR

University of Maine

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Ben Barr is the Head Coach of the University of Maine men's ice hockey team. During the 2023-24 season, Barr’s third with the team, he guided Maine to a 23-12-2 record and spots in the Hockey East Tournament championship weekend and the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The Black Bears earned a national ranking for the first time in over three years and the team went on to sustain that success by earning a ranking for 21 consecutive weeks for the first time in nearly 20 years. The team also made a return to the national top 10 for the first time since 2012 and earned a spot in the top five for the first time since 2010.

Prior to arriving at UMaine, Barr accumulated 15 years of assistant coaching experience in Division-I programs and a tradition of success at each of his stints at five different institutions. Most recently, Barr spent five years at UMass as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator where he helped guide the Minutemen to a 94-75-10 record, including a 72-26-6 mark over his last three seasons.

RACHEL FLANAGAN

PWHL Toronto

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Rachel Flanagan is an Assistant Coach with PWHL Toronto. The former University of Guelph forward, who competed with the Great Britain Women’s National team in the 2006 World Championships, began coaching in 2007 as the Gryphons Women’s Head Coach. Flanagan received multiple OUA Female Coach of the Year awards, winning a Sports National Championship in 2019; she has also worked with Hockey Canada’s Women’s National Team program on seven occasions and is currently with Hockey Canada’s Development Team staff for the 2024-2025 season.

SCOTT JONES

Vegas Golden Knights

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Scott Jones is a Skating and Skills Consultant with the Vegas Golden Knights. Jones has been teaching hockey development for over 20 years and continues to grow his teaching methods and techniques through clear communication and positive reinforcement.

Previously, Jones spent three years with the Washington Capitals where the majority of the time he worked among the AHL prospects with the Hershey Bears.

RACHEL FLANAGAN

PWHL Toronto

Presenter Headshots 2024-rachel

Rachel Flanagan is an Assistant Coach with PWHL Toronto. The former University of Guelph forward, who competed with the Great Britain Women’s National team in the 2006 World Championships, began coaching in 2007 as the Gryphons Women’s Head Coach. Flanagan received multiple OUA Female Coach of the Year awards, winning a Sports National Championship in 2019; she has also worked with Hockey Canada’s Women’s National Team program on seven occasions and is currently with Hockey Canada’s Development Team staff for the 2024-2025 season.

PRESENTERS

TCS Live will host 19 presentations from some of Minnesota's top sports leaders. Including:

ANDY NESS

Minnesota Wild

Presenter Image-Andy Ness

Andy Ness is a highly respected skating and skills coach with over 20 years of experience developing hockey players at every level.

He began his career under the mentorship of his mother, Diane Ness, a renowned skating coach, and has since built an impressive resume in professional hockey. For the past decade, Andy has served as the Minnesota Wild’s skating and skills coach, working on the off-season development of NHL and AHL players and assisting with rehabilitation skating during the season.

Ness also owns and operates Pro Edge Power, a skating company located in the Twin Cities, and has served as a consultant for numerous teams and players throughout his career. His previous roles include Assistant Skating Coach with the New Jersey Devils (2008–2012), where he contributed to their 2012 Stanley Cup Final run, and consulting for the University of Minnesota and the USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Team in 2010. He and his wife, Katie, have two daughters, Elaina and Olivia, and a son, Johnny. The family resides in Shakopee.

BEN SIMON

Iowa Wild

Presenter Image-Ben Simon

Ben Simon is entering his third season as an assistant coach with the Iowa Wild.

Prior to joining the team, he spent eight seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He served as an assistant coach for Grand Rapids from 2015-18 and won a Calder Cup in 2017 before being promoted to head coach for the 2018-19 season. Simon also served as the assistant coach of the Toronto Marlies (2014-15), head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones (2013-14), and assistant coach of the Rockford IceHogs (2011-13).

During his playing career, Simon skated in 81 NHL games, split between the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Shaker Heights, Ohio native also added 188 points in 481 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, Milwaukee Admirals, Syracuse Crunch, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Toronto Marlies. Simon won a Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 2002 and a Turner Cup in the IHL with the Orlando Solar Bears in 2001."

RICO BLASI

University of St. Thomas

Presenter Image-Enrico Blasi

Enrico (Rico) Blasi is the Head Coach of the St. Thomas men’s hockey team, entering his fifth season behind the bench.

A seasoned leader with over 30 years in Division 1 hockey, Blasi spent two decades at Miami (Ohio), where he became one of the winningest coaches in college hockey. Under his guidance, the RedHawks made 10 NCAA tournament appearances, including a national championship game berth (2009) and two Frozen Fours.

He was named National Coach of the Year in 2006 and earned five CCHA Coach of the Year honors. Blasi has coached a Hobey Baker Award winner, 10 All-Americans, and 25 NHL players. Joining the 400-win club in 2022, he is among an elite group of Division I coaches to reach that milestone. Known for building strong team cultures and developing student-athletes on and off the ice, Blasi is now leading St. Thomas through its transition back to Division 1 hockey.

LUKE STRAND

Minnesota State University

Presenter Image-Luke Strand

Luke Strand, Head Coach of Minnesota State men’s hockey, brings over two decades of coaching experience across collegiate, professional, and junior levels.

Since taking the helm in 2023, Strand has led the Mavericks to a CCHA Mason Cup Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025. This past season, he was named CCHA Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award for national coach of the year.

Previously, Strand guided the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers to a 2022 Clark Cup title, with over a dozen of his players later selected in the NHL Draft. His coaching resume also includes roles with Ohio State, the University of Wisconsin, and the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Collectively, Strand has coached more than 600 games and is known for developing elite talent and building winning team cultures at every level.

KATY JOHNSON

Katy Jo Power Skating

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Katy Johnson is the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating and a nationally recognized skating coach who has worked with thousands of athletes from youth to NCAA, junior, and professional levels. With a background in competitive skating and a deep understanding of movement mechanics, she created the KJ Skating Intelligence™ Method, a neuro-backed development system that blends biomechanics, motor learning, and cognitive training.

Her approach focuses on building smarter, more efficient skaters by teaching skating habits that transfer to real game play.

JON AMMERMAN

Moorhead High School

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Jon Ammerman is a Moorhead High School alum and has been the Head Coach of the Spuds since 2013.

Under his tenure, Moorhead has reached the state tournament seven times and have posted multiple 20-win seasons. In 2025, Ammerman’s team captured the school’s first-ever Class 2A state championship, finishing an impressive 28-2-1 and earning him Class 2A Coach of the Year honors by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association. A former defenseman at Moorhead and St. Cloud State, he began his coaching journey at Windom Area HS before returning home to lead the Spuds.

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There is not a coach in the world that knows everything. The knowledge from all is combined into educated opinions. This is seen by the coaches who not only spoke during the event but also those who sat within the crowd and took notes throughout the event. Great topics, great speakers, great leadership.

- Craig Purcell, Duluth East Hockey
Attendee of TCS Live 2024

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Attending TCS Live was nothing short of incredible! From the insightful discussions to the electrifying atmosphere, every moment was a testament to the passion and dedication within the evolving hockey community.

- Jillian Rowland, St. Louis Rockets
Attendee of TCS Live 2024

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TCS Live completely exceeded my expectations! The content presented by the speakers was world class as I learned things from every single speaker. The most enjoyable thing about TCS Live was the opportunity to network and connect with other hockey leaders from around world the world. I can't wait for next year!

- Jordan Pietrus, Total Package Hockey
Attendee of TCS Live 2024

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TCS Live was the best coaching conference I have ever been to! It was amazing to have the opportunity to learn from so many great people. The networking with other coaches makes this event extremely special. Can’t wait for next year!

- Jason MacPherson, Okanagan AAA
Attendee of TCS Live 2024

How is this event different than the conference at the University of Michigan?

The Coaches Site Live at the University of Michigan is our flagship coaching conference, providing presentations on all levels of the game across an immersive 3-day experience.

TCS Live at St. Andrew's College is a new, one-day event, tailored for minor hockey and highly accessible for coaches located in the GTA and surrounding areas.

Will the event be live-streamed?

The TCS Live at St. Andrew's College event will not be live-streamed. However, all presentations will be recorded and released to premium membership of The Coaches Site throughout the 2024/25 season.

What is your refund policy?

All ticket purchases are considered final-sale and are not refundable.

Do you have a host hotel?

Yes we do! We've arranged a room block at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront.

Click here to access the room block

Please note, the cut-off date to make reservations at the group rate of $109, is on Friday, August 29th, 2025.

Will the event be live-streamed?

The TCS Live Minnesota event will not be live-streamed. However, all presentations will be recorded and released to premium membership of The Coaches Site throughout the 2025/26 season.

What is your refund policy?

All ticket purchases are considered final-sale and are not refundable.

How can I qualify for Member Admission pricing?

The TCS+ Member Admission rate is exclusive to premium members of The Coaches Site. You can check your status on your TCS account page.

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