What is the timeline for coach applications and interviews? 
Initial application will typically open by late March and will be open for a minimum of 14 days.  Interviews are expected to be completed by mid/late April.
 
Are all applicants interviewed?
No, only qualified applicants who are successful in the initial screening stage will be invited to an interview.
Should there be an insufficient number of applications from qualified persons or no applications to fill any coaching position, the Blues Directors reserves the right to extend the application deadline or they can reduce the minimum required qualifications.  Also, at their discretion, the Blues Directors may reach out to potential candidates and appoint a coach of their choosing.
 
When will the Blues announce the coaches?
Typically, coaches for the next season will be announced in by early May.
 
What are the Head Coach responsibilities?
The Head Coach is the most integral component of a successful team experience – both on and off the ice.  You serve not only as an instructor, but also as a Mentor, Role Model and Leader during all team activities.  Ultimately, the Head Coach is responsible for not only the on-ice instruction, but also for providing the oversight over all team operations.  This does not mean that the Head Coach must do everything.  A good coach will delegate and put trust in their Assistant Coaches, Team Manager and various team level volunteers.
 
Are there minimum coaching qualification and eligibility requirements?
Yes, the Blues have minimum certification and previous hockey coaching experience requirements.  The requirements are intended to assist in selecting the best available coaches who understand and will promote the HC pathways, Blues player development, all Blues policies, and have previous coaching experience exemplified in the hockey community.  Applicants must be certified in accordance with the Blues qualification chart before being offered a position.  Please refer to the Blues coach certificates chart for requirements pertaining to the level(s) you are interested applying for.  The Blues also require a minimum of 2 years previous competitive coaching, or 2 years coaching at the recreational levels with a minimum of 1 year assistant coaching at a competitive level (minor hockey U9-U21/Junior); spring hockey does not qualify.  There is an exception to this for applicants applying for U10. 
 
What is the average time commitment of a Blues Head Coach?
It is important for those who are interested in applying for a coaching position with the Blues to know there is a significantly higher degree of commitment and dedication required when coaching competitive hockey.  That the commitment required is not just from the Coach alone but a commitment from their family, friends and work as well, which can be taxing at times.  While important, coaches may have to sacrifice family time, family/personal events, and require time off from work.  On average, each Blues teams has 4-6 team activities per week; however, for coaches, hockey is a 7-day a week activity.  This typically includes games, practices, specialty training sessions (power skates), off-ice training, and team functions.  Blues teams typically enter five (4-5) tournaments, (2-3 out-of-town tournaments depending on the level) and will likely require days off from work. 
Coaches also have mandatory meetings, training sessions and also have to be available by email/phone to respond to all hockey related requests or requirements within 1-3 hours during the day and evening.
Preseason: On average, from the date of hire leading up to tryouts, coaches will spend 2-5 hours per week preparing for the upcoming season: season plans, practice plans, attending mandatory meetings, booking tournaments/hotels and practice ice.
Tryouts: During tryout, coaches will typically be at the rink for 4-5 hours daily over the course of the tryouts.  Depending on level, rust offs and tryouts will run between 4 to 12 days.  Coaches at the younger cohorts should be prepared to arrive at the rink by 3:00pm and at the older cohorts being at the rink until 11pm.  Please note, tryouts are an extremely busy time for coaches.
Season: Hockey is a 7-day a week commitment.  The only guaranteed days a team won’t be scheduled ice is December 24, 25 and January 1.  Depending on level, coaches should expect to spend an average of 15-25hrs a week on team and Blues related activity and/or prep time: ie. team events, administration, mandatory meetings, mentorship sessions, dealing with team issues.
 
What is the financial commitment?
Yes, for anyone new to Blues coaching, please be advised that parent coaches are required to book and fully pay for four (4) tournaments no later then July 1^st, unless otherwise approved by the Blues Executive.  Each tournament typically costs approx. $1800.  Coaches are also required to book and pay for 15-30 extra practice ice times from the city or Sensplex by mid-August.  Depending on venue, ice typically costs between $230 - $325/hour.  Coaches will be reimbursed by the team by December 15 (preferably as soon as team fees have been collected).
The Blues will help non-parent coaches with booking the tournaments and extra practice ice.
 
What is Blues’ policy on coaching multiple years with the same cohort of players or other cohorts?
All Blues coaches are appointed for the coming season only. There is no guarantee of a second or subsequent year with the same cohort or another cohort.  Blues only allow parent head coaches to coach for the Blues for two (2) consecutive seasons inclusive (same cohort or different cohorts) after which they are required a year break in this capacity.  An exception to this is when there are no other applicants or qualified applicants for a level.  Only under very limited circumstances would this rule be lifted and at the approval of the entire Blues Executive.  There is no maximum number of years for non-parent coaches.
Through experience, the Blues Executive does recognize and strongly believes there are significant benefits for the association, players and coaches in having a coach for two (2) consecutive seasons.  Typically, the Blues will award a second year to any coach, should he or she apply, provided there was no major issues or concerns, no unresolved issues from the previous season, and no significant changes to the coach's availability. 
Through experience, the Blues Executive also recognizes three (3) consecutive years with the same cohort has been problematic for coaches, regardless of the team’s success.  Therefore, should there be an applicant who meets the Blues minimum requirement who is applying for the head coach position, the head coach who has recently completed two consecutive seasons will no longer be considered.  Coaches who are currently in their 2^nd consecutive year may still apply as there is no foretelling who will be applying.
 
What equipment is supplied for coaches/the team?
Each coach is provided with a puck bag which contains approximately 50 pucks, 8-10 pylons and one coach clip board.   All other training aids are at the coach’s expense.
 
What expenses are covered for non-parent Coaching Staff?   
Non-parent coaches shall be reimbursed for 2 track jackets (or one track jacket and one coat).
On top of the coach honorarium, non-parent coaches shall be granted a travel expense.  Blues teams are to reimburse up to four (4) non-parent bench staff expenses to travel to B league games played outside the Ottawa city limits and to out-of-town tournaments.  For greater clarity, there will be NO reimbursement of travel costs to B league games or team practices within the Ottawa city limits.  The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement at the rates specified:
For league/Exhibition play, 40 cents per km to cover fuel, per coach.
For out-of-town tournaments, limited to two vehicles as carpooling is expected, additional vehicle’s fuel costs at coach’s expense (Maximum of 1200km).
Hotel rooms for each night of the tournament booked at the same hotel and rate as the team – double occupancy (maximum of 2 rooms for four coaches or 1 room for two), additional rooms or nights at coach’s expense.
Per diem to cover meals of $55 ($15 breakfast, $15 lunch, $25 dinner).
Coaches are limited to scheduling up to three (3) out-of-town tournaments in a season for which expenses will be reimbursed – additional out-of-town tournaments will be at the coach’s expense.  Exceptions are made for additional events such as the Silver Stick or Provincial Championships whereby additional expense coverage will be required for the coaches.
 
Can teams attend a tournament outside of Canada?
Yes, typically each year there are Blues teams that attend tournaments outside of Canada.  Blues teams can attend a tournament outside of Canada as long as it is sanctioned by the Country’s governing body and has been approved by the Blues Executive.  Blues approval is required prior to applying/registering for a tournament outside of Canada.  On top of the regular travel permits and documents, coaches will need to submit the USA Hockey & Hockey Canada Travel Permit and proof of any required insurance or documentation.
 
Is Coach Mentorship Program mandatory
Yes, participation in five (5) OMHA/Blues mentorship sessions is mandatory.  The mentorship sessions (whiteboard or on-ice) are run throughout the season and provide coaches with enhanced resources to help augment and refine their coaching abilities. The sessions are designed to provide coaches with supplemental educational opportunities, new ideas, as well as offering mentoring and support in areas that have been identified as critical to player/coach development. The sessions also provide a collaborative culture of learning and growth for all Blues coaches. The sessions typically provide coaches with the required skills, knowledge and support to promote and sustain higher levels of coaching performance, for the purpose of increasing overall coaching competency.