David Benda
Tucker Hockey Apprentice On Ice Instructor Profile
Published September 28, 2023
Meet the Instructor – David Benda
- Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 11.5 years old. I live in the Czechia (formerly named Czech Republic) in the capital City of Prague. It’s about the same population of Calgary 1.3 million people. I have a younger 8-year-old sister, Klarka. We live with my Mom Sarka, and her partner Petr and 7-year-old stepsister Lucy.
I play hockey with the U12 Hvezda Praha Hockey Club. This season I am playing at times both forward and defense positions.
- Tell us a little about your interest in the sport of hockey.
I started playing hockey at an early age. My father Radek plays recreational hockey, and my grandfather Coach Rex is really into hockey. After being introduced to hockey I fall in love with hockey too!
- What’s the best part about hockey for you?
I enjoy skating and scoring goals. I enjoy training and getting better and especially hanging out at the local arena with my many hockey friends! I like playing in games and especially participating in out-of-town tournaments.
- How has hockey influenced your life?
I really enjoy being on a team. I have learned that to improve and to get good at anything including hockey I must work hard and not be afraid of making mistakes. Because failure is part of success. Hockey is a big part of my life! I love the sport and going to the rink to play hockey is a big part of my week.
- When and how did you initially get involved with Tucker Hockey?
Over the past few years between the ages of 7 to 10, I have spent time on the ice with Coach Rex (my grandfather) and my Dad Radek in the Czech Republic each Summer. We have had some really good times playing on the ice and having fun!
This past Summer my grandparents (Marcela and Rex) invited me to visit Calgary for the month of August. I participated in many Tucker Hockey programs over the 4 weeks. I spent over 50 hours on the ice! I did 1 on 1 sessions with Coach Rex for the first week and later weeks I participated in many Tucker Hockey group programs. Elite Power Skating, Extreme Edges & Explosive Skating, Evasive Skating / Puck Control & Battles / Compete and Strategic Shooting just to name a few. It was a great time experiencing the Tucker Hockey Way and training with Calgary born players ages 9 to 18 years old and getting to know the many Tucker Hockey on ice instructors. I usually spent 2 – 3 hours each evening on the ice working on my skill development. Plus, my English improved too!!
For the last week in August, Tucker Hockey had an “Intro to Hockey” Program for the really young kids ages 4 to 6. Coach Rex thought it would be a great experience for me to be a part of the Tucker Hockey Team and to help out the beginner hockey players. I was very nervous at the start but once I got out on the ice, I really enjoyed it!
- What is the most enjoyable part of coaching/teaching players?
I loved being a part of the Tucker Hockey Team. It was very rewarding to help the younger players to improve their skills and have fun! Many of them would fall down but I would encourage them to get up and try again! To see the many smiles and happy faces, it was really enjoyable. I helped with setting up drills – handling pucks and pylons, demoing a skill with the players and helping 1 on 1 with weaker players who needed encouragement on the ice.
- Any favourite skating drills that come to mind?
I like edge drills to improve my balance and be stronger on my skates. I am falling down less myself now! 🙂. Also, I like skating drills to make me quicker on the ice and I especially like shooting drills. Yes, I really like to shoot the puck! My favorite hockey player is Boston Bruin’s star David Pastrnak. Nicknamed “Pasta”. He is from the Czechia, and he is a goal scorer! Last season he scored 61 goals in the NHL, 2nd behind Connor McDavid 64 goals.
- Being a Tucker Hockey Instructor – what has the “Tucker Hockey Way” / being a part of the on ice instructional team taught you?
I really enjoying being a part of the team! It was a lot of fun working with the many Tucker Hockey on ice instructors especially Alannah, Milene, Korwin and Jimmy. It was great to help the younger players improve their skills and grow their love of the game. I really look forward to more visits to Calgary in the future and being a part of the Tucker Hockey Team. I am eager to learn and improve as a player and as a young hockey on ice instructor.
- What other things interest you, outside hockey?
I like traveling to Canada and seeing other new places as well. Hiking in the mountains, downhill skiing, baseball catch, biking, swimming, cooking and playing the game of chess.
- What are your future goals or aspirations?
I wish to do good in school because a good education is very important for future success in life. I want to keep enjoying my many interests especially hockey with my friends. Keep learning and be the best I can be on and off the ice!
Fun Fact: David is the youngest Apprentice On Ice Instructor in the history of Tucker Hockey. Previously, it was Korwin Brost who wore the track suit at the age of 13.
Editor’s Note:
I have been involved in the game of hockey for many decades as a player and as a coach / instructor. To have the opportunity to share my love of hockey with our grandson David last Summer was priceless. To help him improve his skating and hockey skills, introduce him to the instructor side within the Tucker Hockey Way was extremely rewarding.
On Ice Head Instructors Alannah & Milene of the Intro to Hockey Program had this to say. From Alannah ” David was great helping with the drill set up and was awesome with the little kids”. From Milene ” David did great. He was working with players 1 on 1 and helped with pucks and pylons”.
To see the smile and joy on his face every day at the rink was very heart warming. I wish to thank his parents Sarka and Radek for being open minded and progressive in making David’s visit a reality! It was wonderful to share!
David, you are a very gifted and talented young man; mature beyond your years!
You have a bright future in whatever you decide to do in life. Just remember to keep working hard, keep positive and good things will happen! Hope to see you again in Calgary next Summer for more fun times on and off the ice!
Take care. Best wishes.
~Coach (Deda) Rex.
Note: Special thanks to David’s Mom Sarka in assisting David with the writing of this on ice instructor profile. Many thanks!!