The Shift Forward
New for the 2026-27 Season
Heading into the 2026–2027 season, Hockey Canada will introduce The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture, a new national learning and development program designed to serve as the primary source of education and training for coaches, parents, and guardians.
The Shift Forward is an enhanced education initiative developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders across Hockey Canada–sanctioned programs. The goal is to better support participants and address unhealthy behaviours within the game, while actively contributing to positive cultural change in hockey.
Based on findings from Hockey Canada’s national Training Needs Analysis, there was strong feedback that education and training should be age-appropriate, modern, engaging, and relevant to how individuals participate in the sport. The program is designed to be progressive throughout a participant’s hockey journey, with content focused on evolving the culture of hockey both on and off the ice.
To support a smooth transition, Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta will continue to recognize valid Respect in Sport certifications for the duration of their current expiry periods.
The Shift Forward represents an important step toward fostering a healthier, more inclusive hockey environment for all participants in Canada’s national winter sport. Courses are now available for registration.
- The Shift Forward Coach Course
- Cost $27.00 pls GST
- Online Course - Length 90 minutes
- Millwoods Hockey will reimburse the cost of the Coach coach - please email your receipt upon completion to Kerri Bishop - seeraadmin@shaw.ca
Coaches who have a VALID Respect in Sport Activity Leader - do not need to take The Shift Forward course until the RIS Activity Leader course has expired.
Operation's Manager - Kerri Bishop seeraadmin@shaw.ca
Please Note: The Shift Forward Coach course is a different certification than the The Shift First Parent program, and bench staff will require both.
