One of Hockey Canada’s primary goals is to deliver programming that is the best in the world.

The 11th International Coaches Conference from May 2nd to 5th at Laval University in Quebec City is a showcase of the type of cutting edge programming Hockey Canada offers.

“One of our goals as an organization is to be a world sports leader, specifically in hockey,” says Dean McIntosh, senior manager of coaching for Hockey Canada.

The International Coaches Conference (ICC) will coincide with the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship, which will be held in Canada for the first time ever – May 2-18 in Halifax, NS and Quebec City, QC.

The conference will feature presenters from around the world who will pass on their knowledge to the 300-plus delegates in attendance from more than 15 countries around the world.

“We’re trying to focus on the game from an international perspective,” says McIntosh. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity for the participants and for us to continue to develop them as coaches.”

Past conference presenters have included current NHL head coaches Ken Hitchcock, Tom Renney, Mike Babcock, Barry Trotz, Jacques Martin and Paul Maurice, as well as international bench bosses Ralph Krueger, Dave King, Melody Davidson, Erkka Westerlund and Tommy Bousted.

This year’s list of presenters will once again be top notch, so check back with Hockey Canada at www.hockeycanada.ca to find out confirmed speakers closer to the event.

Hosted by Hockey Canada since 1989, the ICC provides a forum for coaches from around the globe to come together and share their experiences, knowledge and perspective of hockey today.

“It’s important to expose them to what else is going on around the country and around the world,” says McIntosh, who notes that the social aspect of the weekend will be stressed to promote interaction and sharing between coaches.

Designed for coaches from grassroots hockey to professional levels, the conference encourages strong coaching practices to ensure hockey remains a game of integrity, sportsmanship and fun.

In 2008, delegates are being given the option to register for the entire weekend, or only for the days they wish to attend. The cost for all four days is $425, while the price for a single day is $150.

As part of registration, delegates will receive a ticket for a game at the 2008 IIHF World Championship – the game ticket will be for the same day that coaches attend the seminar. Delegates participating in the seminar for multiple days will receive a game ticket for each day they attend.

Each of the days will have a unique focus and will consist of three hour-long presentations, plus a hot stove session with the three presenters from that day.

For example, one session might focus on sports psychology with presenters speaking on developing focus in athletes, individual and team goal-setting and mental preparation for short-term competition, while another session could focus on technical hockey skills with presenters talking about dynamic skating, advanced puck control and shooting and scoring.

Add in the hot stove session and the world championship game and “those will be full days,” McIntosh says.

The conference will feature both French and English-speaking presenters with simultaneous translation being provided at the same time through headsets.

For more information on the 2008 International Coaches Conference, including how to register, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.