TUCKER HOCKEY ON ICE INSTRUCTOR PROFILE – KEVIN SOROCHAK
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Kevin Sorochak. I am 44 years old and have been a Journeyman Refrigeration Technician for over 15 years. I have been married to my wife, Tara, for 18 years. We have two boys, Kyler, who is 11 and Rylan who is 7. Our family also includes a Havanese cocker spaniel named Hayley and a cat named Ella. I have been skating and/or playing hockey for as long as I can remember! I have been really involved in Kyler’s hockey. He has a very busy schedule with his practices, dry land training and games. I am also in the process of getting Rylan on his way into the sport too. This has been a way slower process as his interest is not as great…….yet!…..LOL….. I have been involved with Tucker Hockey for over 3 years now and really enjoy working on the ice whenever my home life schedule allows me to do so (well, my wife.…..LOL…..) and I very much appreciate the flexibility that Rex allows me to make it work!
Tell us a little about your interest in the sport of hockey.
I love to play and its fun to play when you know what you are doing… can skate, and have the confidence in yourself and your skills. Also, I like the camaraderie and the friendships made along the way, season after season. Just look how things turned out here!
What’s the best part about hockey for you?
To push, challenge and test yourself. If you have difficulties in doing something it means you are learning! Try new and different skills and always believe in the idea that what you put into it is what you get out!
When and how did you initially get involved with Tucker Hockey?
Rex was my Coach some 25+ years ago in the Calgary Junior Hockey League with the NEAA Canucks. Rex called me up from the Midget quadrant level to play some games. My own son was enrolled in the Tucker Hockey Program for the second season back in the Summer of 2017 and I ran into Rex in the concourse of Southland Leisure Center. If you can believe, I did not realize Rex Tucker is Tucker Hockey! Rex and I recognized each other put two and two together and the rest is history!
What is the most enjoyable part of coaching/teaching players?
Seeing the kids up to as well the adult level progressing, however big or small and everything in between AND gaining confidence in their skills and continuing to want to play the great game of hockey season after season.
What, if anything, has instructing with Tucker Hockey taught you?
Everything is done for a reason on the ice AND to always make sure that your shirt is tucked in!
What other things interest you, outside hockey?
Many including Football (Stampeders), more hockey (Hitmen – WHL) and of course the Flames, my son Kyler’s hockey (future demonstrator and/or Tucker Instructor) and lacrosse (Roughnecks); playing basketball with the Boys and playing HORSE. We also just started riding my mini motorcycle around the block with the Boys taking turns with me. Trust me; it is quite a scene for the neighbours!
What are your future goals or aspirations with hockey?
To keep working with Tucker Hockey, doing whatever I can, whenever I can, AND to hopefully see Kyler and maybe even Rylan too getting involved with assisting on the ice and/or even coaching with Tucker Hockey down the road when they are old enough too. Tucker Hockey has trained Kyler to become an even better skater and more well – rounded player. He can do the drills, stations, better than me! Shhhhhhh…LOL…. and hope Rylan will follow in his footsteps the same way.
How has hockey influenced your life?
It has taught me to be on time and/or early for things. It’s taught me commitment that when you sign up for something you stick with it and through it. It taught me team work and how to be a team player. I learned that everyone involved with the team plays a part in the end result, big or small! Team work works!
What is the most enjoyable part of instructing for you?
Seeing the smiles on the faces and seeing the same players back again and again year after year and seeing the improvement of their abilities along the way!
What is your favourite age group and skill level?
I love working with all ages but I need a reply so I will go with the Adults! I like how dedicated and committed they are, as it is always obvious that they want to really be there considering they paid for it, drove themselves there and are very appreciative of everything.
What, if anything, has instructing for Tucker Hockey taught you?
Everything is done for a reason! 😉 I have also learned that the love of the game and involvement on the ice doesn’t have to end just because your own competitive hockey days are over! There is so much more to it, things to learn about the game and it can last a lifetime!
Are there any favourite skating drills that come to mind?
I love the edge work drills (inside or outside), around pylons and/or in alleys but my all-time favourite is King of the Circle drill/game! Love it!
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 most important aspect of hockey. It’s KING! 😉 I have registered my own son, Kyler, in two to three Tucker Hockey Programs a year and have done this every year since he has started to skate and play hockey and have the same plans for Rylan too if he so chooses. I do it because I know it works, it gets results, he likes all the drills and skills, and he truly respects the coaches. But, most importantly, he has fun, it gives him confidence in himself and he wants to come back! I know Rex and the instructors Kyler has had and I have the utmost confidence in their abilities, and the way that they get across what they are instructing and instil confidence in the players they are instructing. Also, the ratio of instructors to players is unbeatable! My son has participated in many other programs before, but Tucker Hockey is his favourite and mine too because it has always been the most valuable to his development as a person and as a hockey player! Rex also offers such reasonable and competitive rates, that it just can’t be beat, in my mind! T.H.E – The Way to Success! 😉
See you at the rink soon!
~ Kevin Sorochak.
Editor’s Note:
Kevin thanks for taking the time from your busy family and work schedules to complete a Tucker Hockey On Ice Instructor Profile. Yes, indeed Kevin – it’s the circle of life! It’s a great feeling to have a former hockey player who I have coached, mature; come back, help out and evolve into a quality on ice instructor. Over the last 3 years Kevin has been quite conscientious and very dedicated to honing his on ice instructor skills; bringing the same love of the game and hard work into the coaching profession from his hockey competitive playing days. Kevin brings a fun loving and eager to learn approach to honing his instructor’s craft. Kevin has progressed quickly from an Apprentice Instructor to an Assistant Instructor to a pending Mentoring Head Instructor. Kevin has been a very valuable member of the Tucker Hockey Team; contributing especially within our Body Checking, Evasive Skating / Puck Control & Battle / Compete and Dynamic Skating & Hockey Development Programs. It’s been a pleasure to work with Kevin on the ice and I believe based on his dedication and love for the game and his strong communication skills, he can be mentored and developed into a quality head instructor in the next few years. Kevin my friend thanks again for your valuable contributions to Tucker Hockey and I look forward to many more enjoyable times on the ice in the years ahead. And yes – keep your shirt tucked in! Please look and be professional on the ice!
~Coach Rex