Coaches from Minnesota’s top teams to reveal just what it takes to be a leaders at all levels in the State of Hockey

Youth coaches from Mites on up are invited to hear insight from the Wild’s Mike Yeo and those who run the state’s Division I hockey programs in a first-of-its-kind gathering.

BLAINE, MINNESOTA – August 06, 2012 – An unprecedented gathering of Minnesota’s hockey leaders will head a one-day conference with a mission to share with coaches from Mites on up what it takes to motivate players as the game enjoys its greatest popularity from the grass roots to the NHL.

Coaches from the Minnesota Wild and all five Division I colleges in the State of Hockey will headline the inaugural Herb Brooks Hockey Leadership Conference at the National Sports Center in Blaine on Sept. 15.

Under the direction of the Herb Brooks Foundation and Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, the conference also comes as hockey’s leaders tackle how to make the sport as safe for its players as possible, teach athletes to respect the game and their opponents, and yet develop them on and off the ice to succeed close to home, across the country and around the world.

“We want hockey coaches of all levels to hear the impact that strong leadership can have on this wonderful game,” said John McClellan, executive director of the Herb Brooks Foundation. “These workshops won’t change the game, but they will change how coaches incorporate leadership into their programs.”

The Wild’s Mike Yeo heads the list of coaches scheduled to lead these discussions, held in small breakout sessions. Participants will learn from the young, confident and determined NHL coach how he gets the most out of some of the world’s best players and identifies the right men on his roster to help him lead.

Joining Yeo from the coaching ranks will be those who stand behind the bench for the state’s five Division I programs in men’s hockey: Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State Mankato.

“By tapping the best of the best, we hope hockey coaches of all levels can learn what it means to be an effective leader,” McClellan said.

The Herb Brooks Foundation is also fortunate to include in this conference two strong figures in hockey: Ken Martel of USA Hockey and Ross “Blades of Glory” Bernstein, who has written dozens of books about athletics and leadership.

Martel heads USA Hockey’s American Development Model, a program that promotes the skill development of American players at all ages and abilities without over-emphasizing travel and playing games.

Bernstein is on the Herb Brooks Foundation board and regularly addresses business groups on how to think and act like a champion.

Beyond issues surrounding leadership, conference attendees also will participate in workshops about injury prevention presented by Dr. Mark Carlson from Sanford Orthopedics, shifts in rules enforcement by Eric Olson of Minnesota Hockey, and closing remarks by Dan Brooks, son of 1980 Team USA “Miracle” Coach Herb Brooks.

About the Herb Brooks Foundation

The Herb Brooks Foundation mission is to memorialize the miracle, create and operate the most innovative hockey skill development and training facility in the USA (Herb Brooks Training Center), located in Blaine, Minn., at the National Sports Center, create and operate the best educational leadership training program for hockey players, coaches, and officials as well as create and operate a learning environment that gives the game back to the kids. For more information on how to sign-up for the September 15th HBF Leadership Conference go to; http://herbbrooksfoundation.com/. or call 612-919-9666.