Hockey Youth

KCAA Future Stars Hockey Program​

Presented by Tim Horton's

2023-2024 Season 1 & 2

The KCAA Future Stars Program returns for the 2023-2024 season with 2 full seasons to participate in! The program will run on Saturday afternoons at Thornhill Community Centre at  Bayview and John. Please see below for location and schedule details.

Additionally, we will be bringing back our beloved instructors and Vanessa Bairos and Kyle Brownell, along with a new instructor, Jake Bruno.  They will continue to lead the sessions for the Learn to Skate for Hockey program and the Beginner/Intermediate Hockey Development programs.  More information about them is below.

Information

Dates:  Saturdays at 3:15-4:15pm (50 min sessions)
Location:  Thornhill Community Centre (7755 Bayview Ave, Thornhill, ON L3T 4P1)
Programs: 
Learn to Skate (ages 3+) – $275 per season or $500 for both
Hockey Development (ages 4+) – $350 per season or $625 for both

What is provided:
– Jerseys, timbits swag, socks
– 2 free skate sharpens from Hockey Lion
– Water bottle and special gift for first 10 paid registrants
– Also a chance to win weekly prizes, including a Taylor Made golf bag

 

Season 1 Schedule

14-Oct-23
21-Oct-23
28-Oct-23
4-Nov-23
11-Nov-23
18-Nov-23
25-Nov-23
2-Dec-23
9-Dec-23
16-Dec-23
23-Dec-23











Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Session 5
Session 6
Session 7
Session 8
Session 9
Session 10
Family Skate

Season 2 Schedule

6-Jan-24
13-Jan-24
20-Jan-24
27-Jan-24
3-Feb-24
10-Feb-24
17-Feb-24
24-Feb-24
2-Mar-24
9-Mar-24
16-Mar-24
23-Mar-24












Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Session 5
Session 6
Family Skate
Session 7
Session 8
Session 9
Break
Session 10

Programs

Learn to Skate for Hockey
(Ages 3+)

 

Price: $275 (Maximum 25 registrants)
Reduce price for both seasons:  $500

KCAA’s learn to Skate for Hockey program is built for children 3 and up with little or no skating experience.

This introductory class is for children who want to begin their hockey journey or just want to learn to skate.

Each class is approximately 50 minutes. Please come at least 15 minutes before to dress and prepare your child. Full equipment is not required but recommended.

A CSA approved helmet with cage, gloves or mitts and skates are mandatory. Jersey and socks will be provided by Timbits Canada. Your child can bring a hockey stick as there will be a short time at the end of the skate to play.

There will be certified Canskate instructors leading the program and other volunteers. If you would like more information on Canskate please visit: https://skatecanada.ca/learn-to-skate/canskate/5

 

 

Beginner / Intermediate Hockey Development
(Max 10 years old)

 

Price: $350 (Maximum 25 registrants)
Reduced price for both seasons:  $625
Full equipment required

KCAA’s Beginner/Intermediate Hockey program is designed for children preferably 4 and up.

Participants should be proficient in their skating, turning and stopping. There will be continued development of skating skills, plus basic stickhandling,  shooting/passing.

Each class will be approximately 50 minutes. Please arrive 30 minutes before to dress and prepare for the skate. Players will be broken up into different groups according to their skill level.

All skaters are required to wear a CSA approved hockey helmet with a full facial mask. Full hockey equipment with a stick is required (please remember the neck guard). Jerseys and socks will be provided by Timbits Canada.

There will be various coaches and developers on the ice each week as well as several volunteers to ensure ratios are kept low.

 

Instructors

Vanessa Bairos is a Certified Skate Canada Regional and first aid certified coach who has been coaching for 10 years with skaters of all different levels in figure skating and hockey. She currently coaches at multiple rinks throughout the GTA.
Vanessa herself has been skating for 24 years and continues her love and passion of skating through her coaching. She enjoys sharing her passion of the sport with her students and encourages them to challenge themselves every lesson.

Jake Bruno is a certified hockey coach who has focused on training and developing youth and teenage hockey players from beginner to elite levels for the last 5 years. Jake currently coaches the u15 AA Richmond Hill Jaguars and partners with high level skills and power skating coaches to take his students and players to the next level. Jake has been involved in minor hockey as a coach for the last 5 years in a variety of capacities – from running training camps, coaching elite skating classes, hosting learn to skate sessions and now as the head coach of the u15 AA program.

Kyle Brownell has been coaching hockey and various other sports for the last 30 years. He has a Bachelor’s of Physical Education, a Master’s in Sport Psychology, a Teaching Degree and was working on his PhD in Motor Control. He was a Student Sport Psychologist for Brock’s Women’s Hockey, while his thesis/research was with the Brock’s Men’s Hockey Team. His PhD investigated children’s hand/eye co-ordination development. As a graduate of the University of Toronto Teacher’s College, he specialized in elementary and high school. Kyle taught University and College courses in Motor Control, Sport Psychology, Sport Ethics, and Coaching. After 8 years of teaching postsecondary education, he has devoted his attention to his wife, four children and coaching hockey.