1 tim. 9 min
Words of Wisdom from Wally Kozak Coach Life 2.0
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- Självhjälp
This week’s episode features Wally Kozak. Wally is known as one of the best technical hockey coaches in the world. A retired teacher and life-long coach, he has worked at every level of hockey and has contributed to Hockey Canada’s certification programs with age appropriate curriculum for teaching foundational skills.
Wally was a defensive skills coach with the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 1988 Olympics. He has coached in 3 Spengler Cups and at 2 Olympics, capturing a gold medal with the Canadian women’s hockey team as an assistant coach in 2002.
He has also served as head scout and manager of player development for Team Canada Women’s Hockey.
Wally is an advocate of the development of life skills through sport, and has dedicated his life to serving “the good of the game.”
In 2018, Wally was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.
Wally has mentored hundreds of coaches and players over the years, and his passion for coaching and wealth of knowledge is undeniable.
In our conversation, we cover a variety of topics, including:
2:13- How he got involved in coaching
4:24- Why the season his team went 0-7 was his best coaching experience ever
14:09- Why coaching?
18:15- Challenges early in his coaching career
20:41- How his coaching philosophy has evolved with time
24:22- His transition from the men’s to the women’s game.
30:53- Challenges that coaches face later in their careers
34:42- Coaching at the university level
35:56- The danger of shortening the bench
39:12- Thoughts on the Toronto Maple Leafs
42:44- What he valued most about his experience at the Olympics
44:52- Impactful mentors that he has had on his coaching journey
47:33- Mission statement exercise that he runs as every clinic
50:29- His experience designing a body checking manual
58:15- Work-life balance & self-care
1:05:01- Advice that he would give himself as a first year coach
Like what you hear? Please leave us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, and share with a coach you know.
Want to learn more? Check out our website for more helpful tips and tricks, as well as access to all of our Season 1 episodes!
Your support is greatly appreciated!
This week’s episode features Wally Kozak. Wally is known as one of the best technical hockey coaches in the world. A retired teacher and life-long coach, he has worked at every level of hockey and has contributed to Hockey Canada’s certification programs with age appropriate curriculum for teaching foundational skills.
Wally was a defensive skills coach with the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 1988 Olympics. He has coached in 3 Spengler Cups and at 2 Olympics, capturing a gold medal with the Canadian women’s hockey team as an assistant coach in 2002.
He has also served as head scout and manager of player development for Team Canada Women’s Hockey.
Wally is an advocate of the development of life skills through sport, and has dedicated his life to serving “the good of the game.”
In 2018, Wally was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.
Wally has mentored hundreds of coaches and players over the years, and his passion for coaching and wealth of knowledge is undeniable.
In our conversation, we cover a variety of topics, including:
2:13- How he got involved in coaching
4:24- Why the season his team went 0-7 was his best coaching experience ever
14:09- Why coaching?
18:15- Challenges early in his coaching career
20:41- How his coaching philosophy has evolved with time
24:22- His transition from the men’s to the women’s game.
30:53- Challenges that coaches face later in their careers
34:42- Coaching at the university level
35:56- The danger of shortening the bench
39:12- Thoughts on the Toronto Maple Leafs
42:44- What he valued most about his experience at the Olympics
44:52- Impactful mentors that he has had on his coaching journey
47:33- Mission statement exercise that he runs as every clinic
50:29- His experience designing a body checking manual
58:15- Work-life balance & self-care
1:05:01- Advice that he would give himself as a first year coach
Like what you hear? Please leave us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, and share with a coach you know.
Want to learn more? Check out our website for more helpful tips and tricks, as well as access to all of our Season 1 episodes!
Your support is greatly appreciated!
1 tim. 9 min