Our Team

Gary McKinley | Carol McKinley | Darren “Shak” Shakotko - Guest Instructor

Gary McKinley

Gary has been involved in Fredericton Youth Hockey (FYHA) Programs for many years, coaching all age groups and levels from Mites (Timbit) to Juvenile.

Through the Open Ice facility, Gary and his wife Carol, continue to pursue their mission to help the younger age groups learn basic skating fundamentals and puck handling skills so they have the tools to enjoy playing the game as they progress through the various levels. Their Learn to Skate Program for children ages 3 and over is growing in popularity.

The “McKinley’s” are best known for the founding of the Fredericton Midget AAA Hockey Program in 1984. As General Manager and Business Manager Gary and Carol enjoyed a very successful run lasting through to 1996, which resulted in a number of Provincial and Atlantic Championships including attendance at the National Midget AAA Championship on four occasions.

Gary and Carol are volunteer Instructors in the Brendon Oreto Hockey School, a Program dedicated to raising funds to assist families who have difficulty providing equipment and fees for their children.

Awards:

• 1979 - City of Fredericton Athletic Achievement
• 1980 - Nashwaaksis Recreation Council Recognition of Service
• 1990 - FYHA Manager of the Year
• 1996 - FYHA Award of Distinction
• 2005 - Hockey New Brunswick Volunteer of the Year
• 2006 - City of Fredericton Sports Wall of Fame

Carol McKinley

Carol has been involved in Fredericton Youth Hockey (FYHA) Programs for a number of years with a particular interest in the development of skating skills of the younger age groups; Mites (Timbits), Novice and Atom. Many of her techniques and delivery are evident in the Hockey Canada Initiation Program used today by FYHA for ages 5-8.

Carol also enjoyed a long association with both the Nashwaaksis and Fredericton Figure Skating Clubs.

In conjunction with her husband Gary, the “McKinley’s” are best known for the founding of the Fredericton Midget AAA Hockey Program in 1984. As General Manager and Business Manager Gary and Carol enjoyed a very successful run lasting through to 1996, which resulted in a number of Provincial and Atlantic Championships.

Carol and Gary are volunteer Instructors at the Brendon Oreto Hockey School, a Program dedicated to raising funds to assist families who have difficulty providing equipment and fees for their children.

Awards:

• 1994 - FYHA Award of Distinction
• 2005 - Hockey New Brunswick - Volunteer of the Year
• 2006 - City of Fredericton Sports Wall of Fame

Darren “Shak” Shakotko - Guest Instructor

Darren was born and played his minor hockey in Banff, Alberta. Darren played 3 years in the Western Hockey League with the Lethbridge Hurricanes from 1995-98. In his second year (96), the Hurricanes were crowned league Champions and represented the WHL at the Memorial Cup winning the silver medal. In Darren's overage year (1998) he played with the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior League winning the League Championship and participating in the Royal Bank Cup.

Darren then moved on to Fredericton to play for the UNB Varsity Reds (1999-2003). In his first year the VREDS won the AUS League Championship and competed in the CIS National Championship. Darren helped the VREDS reach the National Championship game by scoring the game winning goal in Overtime against the U of S Huskies only to lose in Double Overtime to the Champion U of A Golden Bears. Darren was honored to have been selected as a Tournament All Star. After 4 years at UNB Darren played three years of Professional hockey both in the East Coast Hockey League and the Central Hockey League (2003-2006).

In the summer of 2006, Darren accepted the position of Coordinator Technical Programs with Hockey New Brunswick; his role being to create, promote and deliver programs that would aid in the development of Players, Coaches and Volunteers. These programs included the Hockey Canada Coach Certification Clinics, Specialty Clinics, HNB High Performance Program and other programs including the HNB Coaches Club. During his tenure with HNB Darren became a Master Facilitator for the Coach Certification and Specialty Clinics.

Darren has lead many on- ice Specialty clinics (Puck Control, Skating and Shooting) for players for FYHA and continues to work with the FYHA board to provide more on ice skills sessions for players and coaches. He has been appointed Coach of the Peewee AAA Express for the 2011-2012 season.

Darren has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the game both as player and coach. He is currently in his third year as the FYHA Timbits Coordinator and Coach working with 5 and 6 year old children.

Darren recently instructed Power Skating and Shooting/Puck Control sessions at McKinley's Open Ice using the DIPSS concept.

DEDICATED INTENTIONAL PRACTICE SKILLS SESSIONS (DIPSS):

The DIPSS program is designed with the goal of teaching, developing and improving "A" specific skill (i.e.: Puck Control) in an environment where if you take the definition of Dedicated "Devoted or committed to a goal," and combine it with the definition of Intentional "Done of purpose, deliberate" a player will have the opportunity to focus solely on that specific skill for a number of sessions in the hopes of achieving their goal. Each session will be designed with repetition, repetition, repetition to train and improve the "fundamental" aspects of the skill to produce an improved result.

The DIPSS program is appropriate for players of all ages and skill level

Darren plans to deliver the following DIPSS:

• Power Skating
• Shooting and Puck Control
• Developing Defensemen
• Checking