BECOME A COACH

Application - All persons interested in coaching for the upcoming season must complete the 2025-26 Coaches Application on the web site. Follow the steps below to complete the necessary requirements.

Qualifications – Applicants will be evaluated by the HDCs and ranked by level. Some of the guiding principles and ranking criteria that may be used by the HDCs are as follows:

Guiding Principles

• The candidate can be a strong ambassador for the association as demonstrated by prior coaching and other CCHA involvement.
• Must have no history that would indicate the applicant might use coaching as a platform to emphasize their own child’s development and enjoyment over that of other players.
• Must have a demonstrated ability to conform to CCHA coaching philosophies regarding player development.
• Demonstrated ability to regularly attend practices and games in prior season.

Criteria

• Interpersonal skills.
• Ability to teach and work in a positive and constructive manner with the kids at the age level at which the applicant has expressed a desire to coach.
• Prior coaching and playing experience.
• Hockey knowledge.
• Problem-solving skills.

Note: The CCHA will do its best to secure non-parent coaches for at least the top-level teams (“AA” or “A”) at the Peewee, Bantam and 15U and 12U levels where qualified candidates exist and apply. The CCHA may or may not do the same at Squirt and 10U depending on the circumstances.

Notification Process – Head coaches for teams will be selected promptly after tryouts. Once head coaches are secured, they are provided with the names of the highest ranked parent applicants for players that have made the head coach’s team. Head coaches will be able to select up to three (3) assistant coaches to be rostered on their team. Coaches applying at multiple levels will not be allowed to wait for other tryout levels to be completed before accepting an offer. Example: If the Bantam B1 position is offered, the coach cannot wait until Squirt tryouts are completed to decide on which level he would prefer coaching at.

For the 2025-26 season, all head and assistant coaches must have completed their SafeSport training (new or refresher course, if available), all age-specific modules for the levels they are coaching, have a current background check on file and have turned in to the CCHA registrar (registrar@cchockey.org) the required concussion certification form required by USA Hockey BEFORE getting on the ice for the first team activity. Having a current CEP certification can still be completed as late as December 31st. 

Any failure to follow the required steps or meet CCHA requirements will subject the applicant/coach to discipline including removal from an assigned coaching position and an inability to coach in subsequent seasons