Jeff Tambellini grew up a Vancouver Canucks fan, always hoping to one day play for his hometown team. Signing a one-year free agent contract with the NHL club July 1 has provided the chance.

Jeff Tambellini grew up a Vancouver Canucks fan, always hoping to one day play for his hometown team. Signing a one-year free agent contract with the NHL club July 1 has provided the chance.

“It was an easy decision, especially with where the team is now and the depth they have,” he said, prior to skating with Derek Popke and other pros at the Vancouver Hockey School at the Richmond Ice Centre. “This is a great opportunity to be part of something special.”

Tambellini, 26, said he’s more excited than nervous at the prospect of playing for the Canucks. He said everywhere he goes in B.C. further emphasizes how much people care about the team.

Unlike the young, rebuilding New York Islanders for whom he played 36 games last season (scoring 14 points) and parts of the previous five seasons, the Canucks are an older, established team expected to contend for a championship. Tambellini has designs on a third line role, either at left wing or centre with the Canucks, but said it’s up to him to earn the chance during the exhibition schedule.

“It’s more important to take advantage of the opportunity when it’s in front of you,” he said. “I want to come in and be a strong two-way guy and add scoring depth. I have to add a scoring dynamic for me to be successful, but also to bring reliability. I have to be counted on to kill penalties or play four-on-four or five-on-five and to be solid on the ice.”

Tambellini enjoys the challenge of playing while his team is shorthanded. A couple of seasons ago with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ top affiliate in the American Hockey League, he teamed with Frans Nielsen to become one of the league’s dynamic duos. Not only did they routinely shut down the opposition, but also were a threat to score.

“We had teams kind of worried with our speed, they weren’t just sitting back and shooting at us. It’s a responsibility I enjoy because you’re shutting down the other team’s best players.”

The NHL game has changed quite a bit since Tambellini was drafted 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2003, fresh off an impressive freshman season at the University of Michigan where he tallied 45 points in 43 games as a Wolverine. Today’s game is predicated on skating, but that suits him just fine. Though he doesn’t take it for granted, Tambellini is a naturally gifted skater capable of keeping pace with such other elite fleet-of-foot players as Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane and Montreal Canadien Brian Gionta—both smaller players whose skating prowess has provided with them not only with the opportunity to play in the NHL but to excel.

“You see new guys coming up and how talented they are, so if you’re not constantly working yourself to become better at your personal skills you begin to be passed by,” he said.

The son of former Vancouver Canuck and current Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve, Tambellini grew up around the Canucks. But as much as he’s part of a close-knit family, he has deliberately tried to avoid playing for a team managed by his dad.

“It’s nice to be close and I enjoy playing against his teams, but to be on the same team puts a lot of stress and pressures on both parties I think,” he said.

“It was an easy decision, especially with where the team is now and the depth they have,” he said, prior to skating with power skating coach Derek Popke other pros at the Vancouver Hockey School. “This is a great opportunity to be part of something special.”

Tambellini, 26, said he’s more excited than nervous at the prospect of playing for the Canucks. He said everywhere he goes in B.C. further emphasizes how much people care about the team.

Unlike the young, rebuilding New York Islanders for whom he played 36 games last season (scoring 14 points) and parts of the previous five seasons, the Canucks are an older, established team expected to contend for a championship. Tambellini has designs on a third line role, either at left wing or centre with the Canucks, but said it’s up to him to earn the chance during the exhibition schedule.

“It’s more important to take advantage of the opportunity when it’s in front of you,” he said. “I want to come in and be a strong two-way guy and add scoring depth. I have to add a scoring dynamic for me to be successful, but also to bring reliability. I have to be counted on to kill penalties or play four-on-four or five-on-five and to be solid on the ice.”

Tambellini enjoys the challenge of playing while his team is shorthanded. A couple of seasons ago with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ top affiliate in the American Hockey League, he teamed with Frans Nielsen to become one of the league’s dynamic duos. Not only did they routinely shut down the opposition, but also were a threat to score.

“We had teams kind of worried with our speed, they weren’t just sitting back and shooting at us. It’s a responsibility I enjoy because you’re shutting down the other team’s best players.”

The NHL game has changed quite a bit since Tambellini was drafted 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2003, fresh off an impressive freshman season at the University of Michigan where he tallied 45 points in 43 games as a Wolverine. Today’s game is predicated on skating, but that suits him just fine. Though he doesn’t take it for granted, Tambellini is a naturally gifted skater capable of keeping pace with such other elite fleet-of-foot players as Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane and Montreal Canadien Brian Gionta—both smaller players whose skating prowess has provided with them not only with the opportunity to play in the NHL but to excel.

“You see new guys coming up and how talented they are, so if you’re not constantly working yourself to become better at your personal skills you begin to be passed by,” he said.

The son of former Vancouver Canuck and current Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve, Tambellini grew up around the Canucks. But as much as he’s part of a close-knit family, he has deliberately tried to avoid playing for a team managed by his dad.

“It’s nice to be close and I enjoy playing against his teams, but to be on the same team puts a lot of stress and pressures on both parties I think,” he said.

Seafair minor hockey is looking to the future with the hiring this week of two prominent hockey personalities.

Derek Popke, who has earned a reputation as one of the top skating instructors in the business, is set to become the association’s first-ever director of player development. And Jaroslav Svejkovsky, the first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 1996 and recently an assistant coach with the Vancouver Giants, will become Seafair’s inaugural director of hockey operations.

“The hiring of Derek and Yogi will have a major impact on our association as it provides the best one-two punch in regards to player development,” said Shane Hohlweg, association vice-president and coach co-ordinator. “There is no better skating coach than Derek, and as for teaching pure hockey skills Yogi is regarded as one of the best.”

Hohlweg, who along with Wendy Rausch and Dean Cardno sat on the hiring committee, said it was important to have individuals for each position “as they cannot exist without the other.”

“This sets the tone of our association as one that believes in developing players and making sure all have a good hockey experience. Winning is important and something we want our teams to do, but our real goal is to teach hockey skills, a knowledge of the game, a passion for playing it, teamwork and sheer fun. We have hired two good people whose character and integrity will be traits that we want our players to emulate.”

Hohlweg said everyone would love every kid to make the NHL, but that’s not realistic. However, he said they can be provided with an environment to learn skills to become productive members of the community.

“To be honest I wasn’t impressed by their NHL credentials, even though it’s nice to have, but their ability to relate to kids,” he said. “Both Derek and Yogi have a unique ability to translate the fundamentals to the understanding of a five-year-old and then take that and teach it to a professional.”

 NHL experience

 Both Popke and Yogi’s resumes are impressive, including developing hockey in other communities such as the South Delta Secondary Academy, South Delta Elementary Hockey Program and Vancouver Hockey Academy.

Popke has been working with Seafair for the past few years and believes the association truly puts the development of its players first.

“They are one of the only associations to dedicate multiple hours of development ice to their players each week,” he said.

“It shows a commitment to its members.”

Though his new schedule with Seafair will be demanding, Popke is confident that with proper planning he will be able to continue his other hockey projects including heading back to Toronto in July for his second season (2009,2010) working with the Maple Leafs’ prospects and free agents at their annual development camp.

Svejkovky, who played four seasons for the Caps between 1996 and 2000 before a concussion forced him to cut short his playing career, said he accepted the opportunity to work with Seafair because “they have a great vision and sound philosophy on how to further develop the association.”

“We share some key fundamentals, and when I saw their passion for the game and their common interest in developing young hockey players and people I knew that it wouldn’t take long to convince me that this is an opportunity I should closely look at,” he said. “I have had the chance to coach many kinds from many different associations in the Lower Mainland over the last few seasons and I always liked the quality and character of the parents and children (from Seafair).”

 “Having worked with many players and met many of their parents over the last few years made this decision easier as well.”

Svejkovsky said he expects to scale back his involvement with the Giants, perhaps taking on a smaller role which is less demanding of his time. But he said working with the Giants and Don Hay has been an honour and great experience.

As to having played in the NHL, he stresses it doesn’t make you a good coach but can give you a solid understanding of the game.

“Being involved in coaching at the WHL level puts all this in perspective,” he said. “That can be well-related and passed on to players.”

 Mutual respect

 Both Popke and Svejkovsky are fans of the other, and looking forward to working together.

“I have heard a lot about Yogi and his success as a skills instructor,” Popke said.

“He has a great following with young players. By combining our two niches, Yogi and I are taking an innovative approach in the way we provide skill development not only for the players but the coaches. The coaches are truly the foundation in building a solid association.”

Said Svejkovsky: “I really respect Derek’s work. Derek and I have had good success on our own but now when you think that a skating specialist and a skills development specialist get to work together, I can’t be more excited for our players and parents to offer this synergy on ice.”

Popke’s main focus will be taking to the ice to teach skating and skills, while Svejkovsky will be focused on coach development and developing new programs.

One of those is an elementary hockey program in which Seafair players will receive weekly skill development sessions with both co-ordinators on the ice.

Registration fees will increase by $50 per player next season to cover the extra costs associated with the introduction of the harmonized sales tax. However, Hohlweg said the association already planned for Popke’s services in the initial budget for next season. The funds to pay for Svejkosvky’s services will be raised through fundraising and sponsorship.

Derek Popke will be returning to the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs 2010 Prospect Development Camp. This will mark Derek Popke’s second season at Toronto Maple Leafs camp (2009, 2010).

The prospect development gauges the progress and future outlook of both prospects within the organization, recent draft picks, and unsigned players on the team’s radar.

The camp features full days of on-ice practice activities and off-ice seminars ranging from nutrition to lifestyle to the business of the NHL.   It provides an opportunity for the players to get to know their possible future teammates, as well as the chance showcase their abilities to the team’s player development personnel.

Vancouver Hockey School would like to take this opportunity to congratulate students Brent Seabrook, Troy Brouwer, Colin Fraser, Kris Versteeg, and prospect Kyle Beach on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup.

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games on route to winning their first Stanely Cap in 61 years.

For Brent Seabrook the season was extra special. The highly skilled defenceman adds the Stanley Cup to his Oympic Gold captured at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Over the years Seabrook, Versteeg, Fraser, and Beach have participated in private skating and pro group skating sessions with Derek Popke and Vancouver Hockey School.

The Vancouver Hockey School led by professional skating and skills coach Derek Popke is set to become the main skills provider for Seafair Minor Hockey next year.  

In an email to members Seafair President Ken Hamaguchi said that “last year, we were lucky to get Derek to provide 4 hrs. of training per week to various teams and players.  This year, we expect that amount to ‘triple’ (and some), as we are planning to use him 13-15 hrs. per week.  This will ensure that he gets to work with more players and teams.

The announcement will certainly be greeted with enthusiasm by coaches familiar with Derek and the skills he brings to the ice.  The opportunity to attend a clinic for Seafair coaches put on by Popke last year was enough to draw out dozens of coaches early on a Saturday morning.  Hockey 4 coach Chris Loat was one who attended that clinic, and had nothing but praise for the instruction Popke offered.

“We were on the ice doing all the sculling and tight turns . . doing exactly what the kids would be doing in practice,” Chris said at the time, adding that the fact Popke is an excellent skater himself helps immensely.  “Derek performs the skills perfectly.  He’s a beautiful skater, and he’s able to talk about the drills and explain them as he’s doing it.”

Derek’s philosophy is one of stressing the basics to become a better skater.   “It’s not always about speed or fancy flow drills,” he says.  “It is about revisiting the basics and building up to power and speed.”

That approach should serve Seafair well.  Derek has instructed at the highest levels of hockey, with NHL’ers like Troy Brouwer, Brent Seabrook, Jason Garrison, Raymond Sawada, and Milan Lucic under his guidance. In 2009 he became a instructor with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the annual prosect development camp.  But it’s the younger players who remain “his passion.” 

Asked how he can gear down his instruction from the NHL level to kids, especially house players, Derek says “it’s important to adapt ice sessions to have each player achieve some level of success.  Providing house level hockey players the opportunity to slow down in drills and concentrate on specific skills helps take the frustration away that, at times, comes with learning too many skills simultaneously. We work hard at finding a balance between skill development and simulating game situations in drills in order for them to achieve success in games.”

Derek adds this is especially important with the very youngest players.  “You have to go in with the right mindset,” he says, “with different types of goals.”   You have to keep it fun, Derek says, and slow down drills into what they can be successful at right away.  For example, with the Hockey 1 and Hockey 2 players “if they can stop by the end of the practice” that’s success.”

In a way, in coming to work with the kids at Seafair Derek is getting back to his roots.  He never intended to become a hockey and skating coach, it just fell into his lap.  While playing minor hockey he started working at local hockey schools, and found “a real passion for working with kids.”  After that he worked in hockey all over the place, including Scotland, Boston, California, Victoria and with kids in the hockey hotbed of Australia, and things just evolved to where he is today. 

Last year the Vancouver Hockey School  offered clinics for Hockey 3 and 4 players for the first time, and now those clinics fill up almost immediately, so we “must be doing something right,” Derek says. This year they will expand into offering skating and skills clinics for H1 and 2 players.

In addition to skating and skills instruction with Derek, Seafair players will have the opportunity to enroll in positional specific and team play instruction clinics provided by Vancouver Hockey School’s professional coaching staff, including former WHL Vancouver Giants and current UBC Men’s Varsity Head Coach Milan Dragecivic, whose extensive coaching knowledge will be utilized in team session environments.  In addition, defensive coaching specialist Aaron Wilbur, who won a BC Junior A Championship as coach of the Penticton Vees in 2008 / 2009, will spend instructional hours with Seafair members and coaches.

Vancouver Hockey School is pleased to annouce the signing of Milan Dragicevic. Milan Dragicevic brings over 20 years coaching experience to Vancouver Hockey School. 

Milan began his coaching career as an assistant with the WHL Tri City Americans. After 2 seasons with the Americans, he was hired as the WHL Vancouver Giants first ever Head Coach in their 2001-2000 inaugural season. Coach Dragicevic is currently the Head Coach of the UBC Mens Varsity Hockey team. He has held this position since 2002.

Milan currently instructs team sessions and association development on behalf of Vancouver Hockey School. In addition, Coach Dragicevic will be a lead instructor at VHS’ Junior and Pro level development camps. Visit Coach Dragicevic at www.gothunderbirds.ca

Vancouver Hockey School is pleased to annouce the sale of their island partner, Victoria Hockey School. Originally founded by Skating Coach Derek Popke and former NHL’er Mark Morrison in 2001, Victoria Hockey School is regarded as the best professionally coached hockey school on the island. Popke and Morrison would like to welcome Nate Leslie of Leslie Global Sports as the new director and wish continued success with Victoria Hockey School.

Vancouver Hockey School defeated Tommyfit Ltd. 6-1 in a charity game that spotlighted National Hockey Leaguers as well as elite pros .

The score took a back seat to the real winners of the night: the British Columbia Childhood Cancer Parents’ Association and the fans who filled the bleachers and encircled the rink, standing shoulder-to-shoulder to watch athletes at the top of their sport showcase their skills.

Fans paid a minimum $4 admission to watch the game, while also filling two boxes full of nonpersishable food items. Organizers estimated that more than 200 pounds of food items was donated to the Langley Food Bank.

Hockey specific trainer Mike Thompson along with skating coach Derek Popke organized teams for the matchup, and some recognize-able NHL names coloured the lineup sheet.

Thompson’s team, Tommyfit Ltd., suited up the likes of Greg Zanon of the Minnesota Wild, Shaone Morrisonn of the Washington Capitals, Jeff Tambellini of the New York Islanders, Ryan Hollweg of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Brandon Segal of the Los Angeles Kings.

Popke’s Vancouver Hockey School squad included Brent Seabrook, Andrew Ladd, and Troy Brouwer of the Chicago Blackhawks, Keith Seabrook of the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils Ben Walter.

“We had $40 million in contracts on the ice,” Thompson said. “We talked to both teams before the game. We told them to put on a good show, but that safety was paramount. If you didn’t have a shooting lane, don’t take it.”

A player’s name wasn’t listed on the lineup sheet. Former Vancouver Giants captain and current Boston Bruins first line winger Milan Lucic skated for Popke’s Vancouver Hockey School team.

“He’s probably the most popular NHLer in Vancouver right now,” Thompson said. “He’s a great guy; he’s a beauty.”

Lucic currently skates with Popke out of Richmond Ice Center during the summer months.

The players signed autographs before and after the game during a “festive evening,” Thompson noted.