Rep Program
The Richmond Ravens offer rep programs (competitive, high-level hockey) at the U13, U15 and U18 divisions.
HEAD COACHES FOR 2022/23
- U18 AA: AJ Sander
- U15 AA: Chris Burns
- U13 AA: Gord Taylor
Learn more about each of the program below.
U13 AA Program
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
- 1 practice/week focused on skill development (edge work, power skating, puck skills, shooting)
- 1 practice/week focused on systems and challenges (positioning, body contact, special teams)
- 1-2 games per week (depending on the schedule)
- 2-3 skills sessions/month with skills provider or guest coach
- 2-3 tournaments including Ravens Rep Classic in October
ABOUT THE COACH:
Gord Taylor is returning for his fourth year with the U13 AA team. He has been coaching with the Ravens since 2014, head coaching U9, U11, U13 and U15 (with 8 years at the rep level).
GOALS:
Introduce systems and tactics and create a successful program for the players on and off the ice.
U15 AA Program
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
- 1 practice/week focused on skill development (edge work, power skating, puck skills, shooting)
- 1 practice/week focused on systems and challenges (positioning, body contact, special teams)
- 1-2 games per week (depending on the schedule)
- 2-3 skills sessions/month with skills provider or guest coach
- 2 film review meetings/month
- 1 strength and conditioning session/week
- 2-3 tournaments including Ravens Rep Classic Oct 22-24
GOALS:
Development, growth, strength, friendship & enjoyment
ABOUT THE COACH:
Chris Burns is returning for his second season with the Richmond Ravens U15 A1 team. He has coached the U15A1 rep level several times for both the Richmond Ravens and North Delta. This will be his 12th year of coaching.
FROM COACH CHRIS:
“It’s about the journey and not wins and losses. We will measure success through individual and team improvement, both on and off the ice. Our commitment is to create an environment where these athletes will enjoy coming to the rink, working hard, supporting their teammates and can accelerate their development. The results will take care of themselves.”
U18 AA Program
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
- Independent Coaching Staff (including 5 assistant coaches and a goalie coach)
- 3.5 ice times/week on average
- 2 skill development sessions/month
- Classroom sessions
- 1.5 off-ice dryland training sessions/week
- Participation in 3 competitive tournaments
- Team bonding road trip to Vancouver Island mid-September
- High tempo, organized practices that will build progressions, introduction to new concepts, skills, tactics, and techniques and building the foundation for the development of more complex concepts in the future
- Leadership opportunities
- Introduction of the Scholarship program
The Midget AA team has been a three-time finalist for Richmond Sports Council Female Youth Team of the Year in 2011 and 2012. In 2015 was selected as Richmond Sports Council Female Youth Team of Year.
GOALS:
The U18 AA Program is designed to accelerate skill development by providing an enjoyable, challenging, competitive, stimulating and rewarding experience in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Four former Richmond Ravens U18 AA players played University hockey: Leah Lum (University of Connecticut), Emily Costales (University of Syracuse and University of British Columbia), Natasha Steblin (University of Alberta), and Annalise Wong (University of British Columbia). Many of the graduating players have gone on to play for the Richmond Devils Senior women’s team and other teams in The South Coast Female League.
ABOUT THE COACH:
AJ Sander has coached has been coaching the Ravens U18 AA program since 2008. Overall, he has been coaching for 41 years, including being a three-time head coach of the Lower Mainland U-17, U16 Male teams and U16 Female team in Hockey Canada’s Best Ever Program. He is the recipient of six Coaching Excellence Awards; a two-time recipient of Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association’s Coach of the Year Award; recipient of Richmond Minor Hockey Association’s Coach of the Year; and, City of Richmond Sports Council 2007 Coach of the Year for all sports in Richmond. He has guided thirteen teams to Provincial Championship appearances. Recipient of the 2019 Fred Heslop BC Hockey Award for volunteering and commitment to hockey. He is a fully certified NCCP Advanced 1 coach. In 2017 AJ was invited to Beijing China to do an evaluation of Chinese hockey players male and female, ages 6 to 12.
Under the coaching of AJ Sander, the Ravens U18 AA team has had 13 overall appearances at the Provincial Championships. Medaling ninth straight years and winning ten medals. Winning the Provincial Championship five times 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019. The team also has four Silver Medals in 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2013-2014. In 2016-2017 and 2021-2022 seasons the team won Bronze Medal.
FROM COACH AJ:
"The objective of the U18 AA Program is not for the girls to just “fit in”, but to develop and be active learners. We want all the players to be at the heart of the team, to have leadership opportunities, to be active in developing outstanding team chemistry, and build strong bonds and relationships with their teammates. Richmond Ravens U18 AA gives the players the ultimate experience of hockey while building life long memories and friends."
Our Midget AA Program has a successful track record of accelerating development, unquestionable success and a lot of fun. We invite you to experience the Raven difference.
For more information on this year’s program, please contact AJ Sander at 604-767-3200.