About Velo
VELO Hockey Development was created to help young hockey players train with more purpose, confidence, and direction.
We started VELO because we saw a gap in player development. Many athletes work hard, but they do not always know what to work on, why it matters, or how it connects to their performance in games. Our goal is to give players more than just drills. We provide structure, feedback, and guidance so they can understand their development and build habits that transfer directly onto the ice.
VELO stands for Vision, Efficiency, Learning, and Optimization. These values shape the way we train and mentor every athlete.
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Vision means helping players understand the game, read plays, and see where they can improve.
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Efficiency means training with purpose and making every rep count.
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Learning means giving athletes feedback they can understand and apply.
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Optimization means helping each player build on their strengths, improve their weaknesses, and reach their next level.
Our programs focus on skating, shooting, stick handling, game awareness, hockey IQ, video review, player report cards, and mentorship. We work with players ages 8–18 who want to gain confidence, prepare for tryouts, improve specific skills, or become smarter all-around players.
At VELO, we believe development is not just about working harder. It is about training smarter, understanding the game better, and having a clear plan for improvement.
Our mission is simple: help athletes become more skilled, more confident, and more prepared for the next level.
Our Team
COACH kAYDEN SMITH
Hockey Development Specialist
Coach Kayden brings a strong hockey background, a competitive mindset, and a passion for helping young players develop through VELO Hockey Development. His playing career includes experience at the AAA level, the Canmore Eagles Junior A, and continuing his career with the SAIT Trojans. Through each stage, Kayden gained valuable experience in high-performance environments and learned what it takes to compete, grow, and stay committed to the game.
Known for his work ethic, speed, leadership, and dedication to improvement, Kayden understands that development is about more than just skill. Through the successful and challenging moments of his career, he has built a strong understanding of the habits, mindset, and confidence players need to keep progressing both on and off the ice.
As a coach, Kayden focuses on helping athletes improve their skating, puck skills, decision-making, and overall hockey IQ. His coaching style is built around creating confidence, teaching with purpose, and helping players understand not only what to do, but why it matters in game situations.
Kayden is passionate about mentoring young athletes and using his own playing and coaching experiences to help players reach their goals. His goal is to help every player build better habits, compete with confidence, and become the best version of themselves both as athletes and as people.
COACH ETHAn rowland
Hockey Development Specialist
Coach Ethan brings a high-level hockey background and a passion for player development to VELO Hockey Development. His playing career includes time with the Okotoks Oilers, along with competing in the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels and Kamloops Blazers, before continuing his career at Mount Royal University. Known for his speed, work ethic, and compete level, Ethan gained valuable experience playing at some of the top junior and university levels in Canada.
Through both the successful and challenging moments of his career, Ethan developed a strong understanding of what it truly takes to grow as an athlete — both on and off the ice. His experiences have helped shape his mindset, leadership, and approach to development, which he now brings into his coaching.
As a coach, Ethan has worked with players of all ages and skill levels, helping athletes improve their skating, decision-making, and overall playstyle. His coaching style focuses on building strong habits, creating confidence, and helping players become the best version of themselves both in hockey and in life.
Ethan is passionate about mentoring young athletes and using his experiences to help players reach their goals, overcome adversity, and develop the mindset needed for long-term success.