Hired prior to the 2013-2014 season, Kathy McLlwain is in her fourth season as Skating Technician for the Sarnia Sting.
The former professional figure skater has been coaching a wide range of hockey players for over 24 years. That includes as young as two or three years of age, to players currently in the NHL. Her work with Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat was recently featured on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.
Kathy also runs the Power Blades Skating School, and coaches skating sessions for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and Huron-Perth Lakers 'AAA' programs.
McLlwain watches Sting forward Jacob Stos during a skating session. (Photo by Jake Jeffrey)
Whether it's a professional, or a kid learning to skate, she says the fundamentals remain the same.
"The level of difficulty, and level of drills may change, of course the older they get you need to take it into a game situation right away," says McLlwain. "Regardless of the age we're still focusing on the same things: skating strides, stops, starts, pivots and lateral movement."
McLlwain says every player has a unique stride, and aims to utilize a skaters strengths to get the best results.
"Everyone creates their own habits and has their own style. I talk to them about the science of skating, this is what is driving you forward, this is how you create a tight turn, this is how you lengthen your stride," she says. "Once you show them how to create something, then they get it."
During the off season, Kathy has held training sessions in Asia, and also works with several current and future OHLers at the O'Reilly Boot Camp during the summer months.
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