Last week Alberta Minor Hockey declared that it is now mandatory for all coaches to wear helmets as well when they're on the ice during practices [CBC News]. They were actually the last province in Canada to bring in this rule and it's just another indication of how important safety is for all, at all levels of play.

The job of being a coach changes so much each year and in this age of internet tools, coaches and players can learn skills and grow their teams using a new set of equipment: online games and websites.

For example, you can throw away notebooks and whiteboards and discover some really cool plays online. Coaches can share a website like this Animated Hockey Playbook with their team and they can all learn strategies through the computer.

Aside from games and animated pucks, there are so many great resources available on minor hockey websites as each league, team and association makes sure to nurture up-and-coming coaches as well as share the expertise of veterans.

In BC, there's the Coaches Association website that also provides resources for coaches much like the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Another good resource is Hockey Canada which has an extensive drill library, as well as videos, articles, and practice plans.

A coach's role is as much about keeping players (and themselves) safe and challenging to grow their skills as it is about making sure the team runs smoothly and pucks go in the net.