Bobby Zinkan

Tucker Hockey

Head Instructor Profile

Published March 28, 2023

Tell us a little about yourself.

  • I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, spending the majority of my time in the rink playing the sport I love which has shaped me into the man I am today.  I have one younger brother who also played Hockey and was raised by two amazing parents. My career took me on to playing for the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL and later earning a full varsity hockey scholarship for The University of Prince Edward Island while obtaining a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a specialization in Innovation and Change Management.

Tell us a little about your interest in the sport of hockey.

  • My biggest interest in hockey is how much fun you can have playing hockey with friends and the life lessons you take from being a Hockey player.

What’s the best part about hockey for you?

  • The best part about hockey is the people and life lessons you gain from playing the sport you love.  The people I spend the most time with to this day are the people I have met through playing hockey.  I have had the privilege to play hockey in every Canadian province and several states, which has allowed me to meet some great people I call friends to this day.

How has hockey influenced your life?

  • The game of Hockey has shaped me into the man I am today.  Aside from playing the game, the life lessons you gain being a hockey player are priceless.  The game teaches you to mature quickly when you move away from home at the young age of 16 years old.  It shows you the importance of hard work, being a part of a team, showing up on time, to never wearing white socks with a suit and countless more life lessons and transferable skills I use running my business with my lifelong friend Chad Labelle. 

When and how did you initially get involved with Tucker Hockey?

  • I first got involved withTucker Hockey when I was about 12 years old as a young student of the game, being taught the fundamentals of the game by Rex Tucker himself.  My good friend and now business partner Chad Labelle first laced up his skates to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of hockey players.  I found this very interesting and have droves of information to pass on to young hockey players, so I contacted Rex to be a coach for the Tucker Hockey School, and a few months later, I was out on the ice once again with Rex as a coach. 

What is the most enjoyable part of coaching/teaching players?

  • The most enjoyable part of coaching/teaching young hockey players is making a positive impact on their game.  It’s a very rewarding feeling to see the incredible improvement in these young hockey players’ skill development.  I have been trained and coached by the highest level coaching talent in the game and now consider it my duty to pass along the knowledge I have gained. 

What is your favourite age group and skill level?

  • My favourite age group to teach is high-level Bantam and Midget hockey players who are close to stepping into junior hockey or the next level in their careers.  When you get to a high level in hockey, the small details separate players from the pack. I also enjoy coaching young players between the ages of 8 – 12.  Seeing the smiles on their face when they are out there having fun playing the game they love makes Coach Bob very happy. 

Any favourite skating drills that come to mind?

  • The drill and skill I enjoy teaching the most is the importance of evasive skating.  Being evasive as a hockey player is vital for creating time and space out on the ice.  Showing the young kids some of the moves I have acquired over the years is something I enjoy highly.

Being a Tucker Hockey Instructor – what has the “Tucker Hockey Way” / being a part of the on ice instructional team taught you?

  • I have gained a great amount of knowledge over my years as a player, and what I have learned from being out on the ice as a Tucker Hockey instructor is to be able to communicate the skills I have learned in a way players can understand. I sometimes catch myself using big words to the young players that they may not understand.  I have learned that knowing how to do specific skills doesn’t necessarily mean you can educate others efficiently.  Transitioning myself from a player to a coach is a skill I have learned and continue to improve on it every time I’m on the ice.

What advice would you like to offer hockey coaches, parents, and players about the importance of skating, and why they should invest the time and money towards quality skating instruction?

  • Skating is the upmost important skill if one wants to pursue hockey.  You wouldn’t learn how to sprint before you know how to walk; the same goes for hockey.  You can have all the skills and quick hands in the world, but if you lack the essential skill of skating, you will not become successful.  The game is getting quicker every year, and skating is the most important skill to invest your sweat, time and money in order to become a better hockey player. 

What other things interest you, outside hockey?

  • After I retired as a hockey player, my good friend Chad Labelle and I started a business and have used the countless transferable skills we learned playing hockey in our business.  We are both very passionate about and enjoy growing our business.  I also enjoy playing my guitar and spending time in the mountains.

What are your future goals or aspirations?

  • My future goals include working towards being better at anything I do or am involved in.  Whether that be being a better coach, guitar player, or business owner. One can always improve, and I have set aspirations to be a forever student and never stop learning. 

Editor’s Note:

Thanks Bobby for completing a Tucker Hockey On Ice Profile. Bobby joined the Tucker Hockey Team during the Summer of 2022. He has been a valuable member of the team mainly helping with our Adult Recreational Programs, Conditioning / Prep for Evaluations Programs, Evasive Skating / Creative Puck Control & Battles / Compete Programs and Semi Private Programs. Bobby brings an enthusiastic approach to the rink, a strong skill set and connects well with participants of all ages whether adult or minor. He has a very bright future in the business and hockey worlds in the years ahead. Good luck Bobby with your future endeavours!

See you at the rink again this Spring!

~Coach Rex