Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education is proud of the work that our staff do on and off the ice. In order to spotlight the outstanding effort they put into the organization, we regularly interview a staff member about their time with Snider.
Featured in this staff spotlight is Connor Casey, Travel 10Am – Parent Coach.
What made you want to get into hockey in the first place?
I first got involved playing hockey when I was five. A friend from school had mentioned he was learning how to skate with Snider and a week later I was hooked.
What is your favorite part about coaching?
My favorite part about coaching is the interactions that I have with the kids. A lot of them remind me of the experiences I had growing up in the program and it’s an awesome feeling to be on the other side of that and be able to give back to the program and its students.
What is a success story you’ve had while coaching a student-athlete?
One of my coaching success stories would have to be my travel team’s first win. Seeing the excitement on all of their faces was really cool, and I still use the photo of them tackling our goalie as my Lock Screen.
Do you have any specific coaching mantra or philosophy that you try to follow?
I try to approach everything I do as a coach with a positive mindset. Some of the kids you’re on the ice with have been looking forward to their practice all day and it’s important to make sure they enjoy every second of it.
What advice do you have for a coach just starting out?
My advice for newer coaches is have as much fun as the kids are on the ice. Your role as a coach is to make sure that practice is fun and challenging for the players, and if you’re having fun, they are having fun too.
Were there any coaches that inspired you to coach today?
I’ve had some incredible coaches growing up, and I aspire to be the best parts of each and every one of them when I step out onto the ice.
