U13BB Coach's Letter

Hi,

My name is Tamra Edwards, and I am thrilled to be the U13BB Kanata Rangers coach for the 2026-2027 season.

I grew up playing competitive sports and was fortunate to have played competitive hockey through U22. I continued to play hockey as an adult before shifting my focus to teaching young players to play the great game of hockey. Over the years, I have coached and managed both my son and daughter throughout their hockey journeys.

Coaching Philosophy

My goal is to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where players can develop as both hockey players and individuals. Team sports provide a unique opportunity to build not only athletic skills, but also life skills such as character, resilience, and accountability.

I strongly believe in long-term player development. My focus is on helping each player reach their potential while building a lasting passion for the game. Success is not solely defined by winning tomorrow’s game, rather, it is about preparing players for long-term success by cultivating a growth mindset and instilling the values of hard work and perseverance. Players will learn that strong teams achieve more together than individuals do alone.

Tournaments

This season, we plan to participate in five tournaments, with the potential to attend a sixth, Provincials if we qualify. Two tournaments will be local, including Kanata, and three will be out of town, including Pink the Rink in Etobicoke. Tournament play is one of the highlights of the season, an opportunity to challenge ourselves, bond as a team, build team chemistry and represent our association with pride.

Commitments

Players can expect four ice touches per week, including practices, games, and development sessions, as well as one dryland training session per week. While family and academics will always come first, we expect competitive hockey to be the next priority. We understand that life happens, and there will be unavoidable absences throughout the year. All we ask is for honest communication and as much advance notice as possible. This helps us plan for effective practices and, when necessary, bring in call-ups to ensure development continues for everyone. Our coaching staff is deeply committed to the players, and we expect the same level of commitment in return.

Team Fees

Team fees are expected to be approximately $2150 per player, in addition to KGHA registration and tryout fees. A detailed budget will be proposed and agreed upon by the parent group. It will be reviewed and shared throughout the season to ensure transparency and accountability.

Miscellaneous

Player evaluations begin the moment tryouts start, both on and off the ice. We assess attitude, effort, skill, and sportsmanship in every setting, from the moment they arrive at the rink to when they leave, including how players treat coaches, teammates, and opponents. Character matters.

We believe in open and respectful communication and welcome questions or concerns throughout the season. We ask that families respect the 24-hour rule following games or emotional situations, as this allows time for reflection and supports more productive conversations.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s development. I wish every player the best at tryouts and look forward to a season of hard work, fun, growth, and meaningful moments.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at tamra@kje.ca.

Sincerely,
Tamra Edwards