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// HYDRATING THE NEXT GENERATION

JOIN US FOR A TWO-DAY HOCKEY COACHING MASTERCLASS

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.

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN

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A COLLABORATION BETWEEN

"THE COACHES SITE LIVE IS THE PERFECT WAY TO START MINNESOTA'S HOCKEY SEASON...

We believe it will be the beginning of a new tradition in the State of Hockey and is an important part of taking community hockey to the next level."

- Mike Snee, Vice President - Foundation & Community Relations, Minnesota Wild


ON & OFF ICE PRESENTATIONS

DELIVERED BY MINNESOTA'S TOP COACHES

With the goal of celebrating the Minnesota Hockey Model, this event will exclusively feature presenters with roots in the State of Hockey. Attendees can expect an agenda focused on enhancing player development at the grassroots levels, as the top leaders from across the State share the experiences and insights that have shaped their career.

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

ON & OFF-ICE PRESENTATIONS

DELIVERED BY MINNESOTA'S TOP COACHES

With the goal of celebrating the Minnesota Hockey Model, this event will exclusively feature presenters with roots in the State of Hockey. Attendees can expect an agenda focused on enhancing player development at the grassroots levels, as the top leaders from across the State share the experiences and insights that have shaped their career.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

CONNECT WITH THE MINNESOTA HOCKEY COACHING COMMUNITY

Our sport is built around sharing ideas and connecting with other leaders. Join us in person and learn how other coaches at the youth, high school and college hockey levels are pushing the game forward.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

CONNECT WITH THE MINNESOTA HOCKEY COACHING COMMUNITY

Our sport is built around sharing ideas and connecting with other leaders. Join us in person and learn how other coaches at the youth, high school and college hockey levels are pushing the game forward.

SUPPORT FOR SKATE IT FORWARD

HELP GET EVEN MORE MINNESOTA KIDS ON THE ICE

Not only does TCS Live Minnesota provide an opportunity to learn from industry experts but it will also support the Minnesota Wild's Skate it Forward initiative. With all profits being donated to the foundation, an investment in your development will also help more players get on the ice.

 

PRESENTERS

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


BRAD TRELIVING

Toronto Maple Leafs

Presenter Headshots - Treliving

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

Presenter Headshots 2024-Henderson

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

Presenter Headshots 2024-Barr
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

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.


SCOTT JONES

Vegas Golden Knights

Presenter Headshots-Jones
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.

 

EVENT AGENDA

7:45am

REGISTRATION

9:15am

THE FUTURE OF HOCKEY IS LIMITLESS

Katherine Henderson / Hockey Canada

9:45am

SEE THE PERSON IN THE PLAYER

Kevin Hodgson / Heros Hockey

10:00am (On-Ice)

CREATING OFFENCE USING HANDOFFS AND EXCHANGES

Scott Jones / Vegas Golden Knights

10:30am (On-Ice)

DEFENCE TRANSITION SKATING & ESCAPES

Zach McCullough / Barrie Colts

11:00am (On-Ice)

OUTSIDE OF THE BOX BREAKOUT PRACTICES

Kim McCullough / Total Female Hockey

11:30am (On-Ice)

TAKING AWAY THE MESH: USING SKATING AND ANGLES TO SHRINK THE NET

David Belitski / Barrie Colts

12:00pm

LUNCH

1:00pm

INTEGRATING TIMING FOR OPTIMAL DECISION-MAKING

Satoshi Takano / ReactForge

1:15pm

BUILDING CREATIVITY IN PRACTICE

David Manning / St. Andrew's College

1:45pm

HOW COACHING ALIGNMENT INFLUENCES PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND YOUR PROGRAM'S CULTURE

Matt Dumouchelle / The Coaches Site

2:00pm

CREATING POSITIVE HABITS WITH YOUR PLAYERS

Ben Barr / University of Maine

2:45pm

HOCKEY WITHOUT BORDERS

Jonathan Gautier & Fred Perowne

3:00pm

RETRIEVALS & EXITS - MANIPULATING THE FORECHECK BY OWNING THE MIDDLE

Rachel Flanagan / PWHL Toronto

3:30pm

HOW TO TURN SCORING CHANCES INTO GRADE A OPPORTUNITIES

Daniel Tkaczuk / Former AHL Coach

4:15pm

THE EVOLUTION OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND HOW GRASSROOTS HOCKEY CAN ADAPT

Brad Treliving / Toronto Maple Leafs

 

EVENT AGENDA

7:45am

REGISTRATION

9:45am

SEE THE PERSON IN THE PLAYER

Kevin Hodgson / Heros Hockey

10:30am (On-Ice)

DEFENCE TRANSITION SKATING & ESCAPES

Zach McCullough / Barrie Colts

11:30am (On-Ice)

TAKING AWAY THE MESH: USING SKATING AND ANGLES TO SHRINK THE NET

David Belitski / Barrie Colts

1:00pm

INTEGRATING TIMING FOR OPTIMAL DECISION-MAKING

Satoshi Takano / ReactForge

1:45pm

HOW COACHING ALIGNMENT INFLUENCES PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND YOUR PROGRAM'S CULTURE

Matt Dumouchelle / The Coaches Site

2:45pm

HOCKEY WITHOUT BORDERS

Jonathan Gautier & Fred Perowne

3:30pm

HOW TO TURN SCORING CHANCES INTO GRADE A OPPORTUNITIES

Daniel Tkaczuk / Former AHL Coach

9:15am

THE FUTURE OF HOCKEY IS LIMITLESS

Katherine Henderson / Hockey Canada

10:00am (On-Ice)

CREATING OFFENCE USING HANDOFFS AND EXCHANGES

Scott Jones / Vegas Golden Knights

11:00am (On-Ice)

OUTSIDE OF THE BOX BREAKOUT PRACTICES

Kim McCullough / Total Female Hockey

12:00pm

LUNCH

1:15pm

BUILDING CREATIVITY IN PRACTICE

David Manning / St. Andrew's College

2:00pm

CREATING POSITIVE HABITS WITH YOUR PLAYERS

Ben Barr / University of Maine

3:00pm

RETRIEVALS & EXITS - MANIPULATING THE FORECHECK BY OWNING THE MIDDLE

Rachel Flanagan / PWHL Toronto

4:15pm

THE EVOLUTION OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND HOW GRASSROOTS HOCKEY CAN ADAPT

Brad Treliving / Toronto Maple Leafs

 

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

Presenter Image-KatyJoWest
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

Presenter Image-Jon Ammerman-v5
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.

More presenters coming soon!

 

EVENT VENUES

TCS Live Minnesota will take place across three locations in the heart of St. Paul.

THE TCS LIVE EXPERIENCE

Haven't joined us in the past? Here's what our attendees had to say:

 

REGISTRATION

 

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE PRICES INCREASE

SEPTEMBER 27-28 / ST. PAUL MINNESOTA

Tickets to The Coaches Site Live Minnesota include:

Admission to 19 main stage and on-ice presentations
Lunch for both days of the event - plus a continental breakfast on day 1
Access to a social reception for attendees and presenters
3 USA Hockey Continuing Education Credits
The Coaches Site apparel
A contribution to growing youth hockey in Minnesota

Note, membership status to The Coaches Site will be validated upon registration.

TCS+ MEMBER ADMISSION

$174.99/ticket + tax

Exclusive discount for premium members of The Coaches Site. Admission includes access to presentation recordings.

Not a member? Click here to explore individual and association plans.


GENERAL ADMISSION

$224.99/ticket + tax

Does not include access to presentation recordings.

 

FAQs

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.

 

FAQs

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.

TCS Subscription

Not a member? Click here to explore individual and association plans.

PHOTOS FROM PAST TCS LIVE EVENTS

JOIN OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF COACHES

Organizations across the State of Hockey trust The Coaches Site and we're proud that the list keeps growing.

 
 
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Logo Wayzata Logo Hermantown Logo Roseau Logo Sauk Logo Eagan Logo StCloud Logo Northfield Logo Winona Logo Buffalo Logo STMA Logo Minnapolis Logo Armstrong
ABOUT SKATE IT FORWARD

HOCKEY IS HARD ENOUGH. GETTING ON THE ICE SHOULD BE EASY.

The core objective of Skate It Forward is to grow community hockey participation in Minnesota by making it easier for first-time players to get on the ice. Ultimately, the goal is to one day make the first year of ice time free for every young hockey player in Minnesota.

Learn more about this initiative at SkateItForward.org

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