Roger Neilson's Hockey Returns with Groundbreaking Leadership Program for Coaches
After a 5-year hiatus, the legacy brand returns with an all-new coach development initiative led by NHL mindset pioneer Vinny Malts
CALGARY, AB, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After a pause since the onset of the pandemic, Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic—a name synonymous with coaching innovation—proudly announces its return with the launch of the Roger Neilson Coaching Leadership Program, a six-week experience designed to coach the coach.
This program marks the next evolution of Neilson's legacy, shifting focus to the human side of leadership. It's the first of its kind, offering full-time hockey coaches a structured, science-backed approach to personal leadership development—led by one of the sport's most forward-thinking minds: Coach Vinny Malts.
"We are beyond excited to be back and helping coaches in a truly meaningful way," said Marshall Starkman, Executive Director of Roger Neilson's Hockey. "This is something we believe the hockey world has needed for a long time. We're thrilled to have Vinny leading the charge—he's a game-changer. His experience, vision, and connection to today's players make this the start of something much bigger. We believe this can create global impact—and yes, our live events will return in 2026."
Coach Vinny Malts brings unmatched credibility to the program. A pioneering mindset coach, he made history as the first of his kind hired in the NHL. With 35 years of experience as a pro player, coach, and mental performance expert, he's helped transform how leadership and culture are built in hockey.
"I'm honored that Marshall would trust us to help lead this next chapter of Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic," said Malts. "This initiative enhances Roger's legacy in a lasting way. While I can only imagine what it was like to be coached by Roger, I recognize the impact he had on so many. Through this program, we hope to create a space where conscious hockey leaders—professional and amateur—can come together to build something truly special for the future of our game. We are beyond grateful to be part of this mission."
Malts' work with NHL players, coaches, and teams has helped athletes unlock next-level performance on and off the ice. Now, through the Roger Neilson Coaching Leadership Program, he's bringing that expertise to those who lead.
The program is open to junior, college, pro, and elite-level youth coaches, with limited enrollment in its first cohort. This is a personal leadership journey designed to develop self-awareness, intentional communication, and sustainable growth. Coaches will engage in neuroscience-backed training, coaching circles, journaling, and more—all designed to improve team culture and connection with today's athletes.
Enrollment is now open. The first cohort launches July 2025.
Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic (live event) returns in 2026.
About Roger Neilson's Coaches Clinic
Founded in 1988 by Hall of Famer Roger Neilson, the annual Coaches Clinic ran continuously for over 30 years, influencing thousands of coaches worldwide. Neilson's legacy—built on innovation, video analysis, and leadership integrity—lives on through this next chapter of coach development.
Learn more and join the waitlist: www.rogerneilsoncoaches.com
Media inquiries:Marisa Malts395054@email4pr.com 856.816.8879
Website: www.rogerneilsoncoaches.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roger-neilsons-hockey-returns-with-groundbreaking-leadership-program-for-coaches-302453474.html
SOURCE Roger Neilson's Hockey
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Chris Paddack strikes out Jonatan Clase
Hall: Flyers' new assistant coaches will have their work cut out for them Jordan Hall breaks down Yogi Svejkovsky and Jay Varady's ties to Rick Tocchet, what their roles might be and what personnel moves the Flyers have left to Flyers' new assistant coaches will have their work cut out for them originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia


New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Gordie Howe's final NHL goal gets a historic change 45 years later
Proponents of video review in hockey argue that they just want to get the call right, no matter how long it takes. Those folks will be happy to know that the NHL's longest scoring review has finally reached a conclusion, and it looks like the league got this one right. It just took 45 years. The review in question was on the final goal — No. 801 — of Gordie Howe's legendary career. Scored on April 9, 1980, for the Hartford Whalers against the Canadiens in the playoffs, Mr. Hockey took a pass from his son, Mark, and beat goaltender Denis Herron to cut Montreal's lead to 8-4. The goal would go down as Howe from Howe. How romantic. Only one problem. The scorer ignored the pass from Whalers goaltender John 'Cheech' Garrett to Mark Howe. 6 Gordie Howe controls the puck before his score. @thirdeyeordie8226/YouTube Garrett, who would play in 207 NHL games before an illustrious career as a broadcaster for the Canucks, didn't initially launch an appeal to the league, but he's been vocal about getting the assist added to his ledger for nearly half a century. In an interview on Sportsnet's 'After Hours' in 2023, Garrett continued his appeal. 6 Goalie John Garrett didn't credit for an assist for 45 years. @thirdeyeordie8226/YouTube 6 Moments before Howe scored. @thirdeyeordie8226/YouTube 'That's a hard pass,' Garrett said in the interview. 'Mark takes it, Mark gives it to Gordie, Gordie scores this beautiful goal. How can I not get an assist on that? I phoned Benny Ercolani — he's now retired, but Benny was the statistician for the league.' Garrett said he didn't complain immediately after the game because of how it would have looked after he conceded eight goals in a loss. But as the years went on, the man known as 'Cheech' used his platform as a broadcaster to raise awareness for his cause. He also had plenty of support from Canucks fans, who launched a social media campaign supporting Garrett's quest back in 2013. 6 John Garrett during a 1982 game. Getty Images All the lobbying has finally paid off. During the second intermission of Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, 'Hockey Night in Canada' broadcaster Ron MacLean announced the league was finally awarding Garrett with an assist on Mr. Hockey's final goal. 'Colin Campbell of the NHL has begged all of you former NHLers, please do not be writing the league looking for credit on an assist,' joked MacLean. 'They are adding one to the record books, and this is a beauty.' 'John Garrett was denied official status for this assist. He moves the puck. In the record books, it just has Howe from Mark. It did not feature Cheech's assist. It will, forevermore.' 6 Gordie Howe #9 and Mark Howe #5 of the Hartford Whalers look on against the Montreal Canadiens. NHLI via Getty Images 6 Gordie Howe #9 of the Hartford Whalers skates against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1980's at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images He concluded: 'It's official, John Garrett, you have an assist on the last goal Mr. Hockey ever scored,' he concluded.


San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Washington Capitals' Spencer Carbery wins the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year
Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals has won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year. The league announced the honor Saturday after members of Carbery's family surprised him with the trophy earlier in the week. Carbery is the first person to be named coach of the year in the NHL, American Hockey League and ECHL. Carbery was a runaway winner of the Jack Adams as voted on by the league's broadcasters, receiving 81 of 103 first-place votes. Winnipeg's Scott Arniel was second and Montreal's Martin St. Louis a distant third. In his second season running an NHL bench, Carbery guided Washington to first place in the Eastern Conference. He helped several players set career highs as the Capitals reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 'The best thing indication is a lot of our guys had career years, and I think he's a big part of it: the way he communicates, the way he holds guys accountable, the way he can fit guys into certain roles and use their strengths,' Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said at his end-of-season news conference. "I think the relationship between the players and the coach throughout our lineup was excellent this year.' When he was named a finalist last month, Carbery said it was an organizational award. 'I look at our entire staff and everything that they put in, our players, management to provide the players everything,' Carbery said. "It's for my name to be there as the figurehead of the organization, but I look at that to me that's a team-nominated award of what we've done as a coaching staff, management team, our players, what they've accomplished in the regular season.' Carbery drew praise from counterparts around the league for how he got an aging roster into the postseason in his first season in Washington and took it to another level by transforming the Capitals into one of the league's top teams. "He's turned them into a deep, four-line juggernaut that just wins hockey games,' said Tampa Bay's Jon Cooper, the longest-tenured coach in the league who won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and '21 and has made two other trips to the final. 'They do everything right. There's no egos on the team and he's found a way to coach a Hall of Fame superstar and coach players that are just surviving to be in the lineup every night and he's found a way to make it all work.' ___