2021 On Ice Instructor Apprenticeship Award
Ern Rideout Memorial Award Recipient:
Alex Walicki
Published March 24, 2022
This award was created in memory of Ern Rideout.
Ern Rideout was the first Tucker Hockey on ice assistant instructor. He began in 1999, the inaugural year of Tucker Hockey, until 2007 to assist Coach Rex with a variety of adult & minor on ice hockey programs. As well, from 2006 until 2014, Ern was involved as a business consultant for Tucker Hockey.
For 15 years, Ern was a major contributor to the early success and growth of Tucker Hockey on and off the ice. He will be remembered for his strong character, integrity, dedication, amicable personal traits and loyal friendship.
Ern Rideout
Since 2016, this Tucker Hockey Award has been issued each year to the on-ice apprenticeship instructor who exhibits a strong potential to be a quality on ice assistant instructor within the Tucker Hockey Team, as well as improved personal growth and development.
Coach Rex selected Alex Walicki as the 2021 Ern Rideout Memorial Award – On Ice Instructor Apprenticeship Recipient.
Congratulations!
Here is more about Alex:
- Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Alex Walicki, I am 19 years old and in addition to playing Junior A hockey with the Calgary Canucks I am an on-ice instructor for Tucker Hockey. Growing up I played any and every sport I could throughout the different months including soccer, basketball, skiing, golf, and rugby. However, my love for hockey always persisted and I always found myself wanted to be on the ice over everything else.
Alex with the Junior A Canucks
- Tell us a little about your interest in the sport of hockey.
My interest in hockey began at a very young age when I was first introduced to it through a pond hockey team that played every Sunday morning at Stanley Park outdoor rink. My interest in the game accelerated as I got better and as the camaraderie of the game stood out above my other interests. Hanging out in the dressing room with your buddies or going to breakfast with your teammates while at a tournament allowed me to build friendships with many of my teammates who I’d consider to be some of my best friends to this day.
Alex’s first experience of hockey learning to skate on an outdoor rink!
- What’s the best part about hockey for you?
The best part of hockey for me is to be able to pursue a common goal while having lots of fun. While trying to grow as players and as people as well as chase a championship there is still plenty of room for pranks and jokes along the way.
- How has hockey influenced your life?
Hockey has influenced my life most greatly in terms of the lessons that I’ve been able to learn from it. Confidence is a key aspect that you need in life. Hockey has taught me that this can only come through hard work and perseverance. Smaller aspects such as punctuality and the quality of being able to absorb and apply what you are being told have also been instilled throughout my years in hockey.
- When and how did you initially get involved with Tucker Hockey?
While searching for a summer job as a hockey coach I came across Tucker Hockey. Knowing the program and many friends who’ve attended their camps I knew it would be a great place to get started in my coaching journey. After reading through their website and their Mission Statement I knew it would be a great place for me to learn and grow as a coach and as a person.
- What is the most enjoyable part of coaching/teaching players?
The most enjoyable part for me as a coach is to see the smile on kid’s faces when they first step onto the ice everyday, knowing that they are truly enjoying the best part of the game; having fun. I also find it very cool when you genuinely notice a player’s improvement in the skills you’ve been teaching throughout such a small amount of time.
- What is your favourite age group and skill level?
I really enjoy coaching the U9 and U11 age groups. The kids are so much fun to coach, and they are always there because they love the game.
- Any favourite skating drills that come to mind?
My favourite skating drill to teach is forwards edges; it’s in my opinion the most important skill in hockey.
- Being a Tucker Hockey Instructor – what has the “Tucker Hockey Way” / being a part of the on ice instructional team taught you?
As a young adult and hockey player my tendency is to be go-go-go as to try to learn and apply everything as quickly as possible. Being an on-ice instructor has really taught me the value of patience. I’m learning that everyone learns and develops skills at different rates and I’m learning how to work with it.
- What advice would you like to offer hockey coaches, parents, and players about the importance of skating, and why they should invest the time and money towards quality skating instruction?
Like I mentioned above, edges and forward skating are the most important skill in hockey. Everything else in the game is developed around that. It is extremely important to build a solid foundation within the game so you can develop the other parts around it.
- What other things interest you, outside hockey?
Outside of the rink, as far as other sports go, I love being out on the course golfing in the summer and I enjoy skiing once my hockey season is finished. Fitness is a big part of my life so I’m in the gym 5 days a week in the off-season and working out when my body allows me in-season. I am also currently attempting to teach myself guitar with the help of YouTube videos.
- What are your future goals or aspirations?
Obviously, I want to pursue hockey. I think it would be really cool to have my education paid for through an NCAA hockey program and to experience college hockey. The dream however would be to get paid to play this game I love. One day, I dream of either playing here or in Europe.
Editor’s Note:
Thanks Alex for completing a Tucker Hockey Profile. You have really progressed well as a Tucker Hockey on ice instructor over the past two summers. You have grown your leadership skills and worked well helping the kids. They are quite impressed with your skating and puck control skills demos! You have excellent potential as a player and on ice instructor. Keep working hard and developing your craft. Good things well come your way! It’s great to have you on the Tucker Hockey Team; value your contributions. See you at the rink this spring for more good times!!
~Coach Rex