For Immediate Release
Trail, British Columbia (August 12th, 2022) – The Trail Smoke Eaters are excited to announce that Associate Coach and Director of Player Development Dustin Korlak has received his Skills Coach Certification from Hockey Canada, making him one of a select few certified in Western Canada.
Korlak, who is about to enter his fifth year as a member of the Smoke Eaters coaching staff has seen his role increase steadily over his tenure, taking on the title of Associate Coach last season, along with being the teams Director of Player Development. Now he can add the Hockey Canada Skills Coach Certification to his resume, which is the highest skill coach certification available anywhere in the world. With this certification, Korlak, a Stonewall, Manitoba native, is now part of a select group across Canada and the US that have completed the skills coach certification program.
“This is exciting for the Smoke Eater program and players, as well as the youth players in the Kootenays that get the opportunity to work and train on and off the ice with Dustin. A big part of the Smoke Eater program is offering individual skill development throughout the season for our current players and future Smoke Eaters. With Dustin completing the Hockey Canada Skills Certification it furthers our commitment as an organization, to both our current players as well as our local hockey players, in helping them grow and develop, so that they can compete at the highest level.” – Director of Hockey Operations Craig Clare
The skills certification brings the Smoke Eaters coaching staff as a whole to another level, with Korlak bringing a combined mix of both his playing experience and now his coaching experience. The purpose of being a skills coach and having the certification puts the focus on a higher level of individual development available to the Smoke Eaters and the West Kootenay with the various camps run by the Smoke Eaters staff.
“It’s such an honour to receive this certification. I look forward to continuing to develop my skills and knowledge while helping our players reach their full potential. A lot of hard work went into this and I’m excited to be able to bring this experience back to Trail and the surrounding area” – Associate Coach/Director of Player Development Dustin Korlak
The Smoke Eaters would like to congratulate Dustin on achieving his Skills Coach Certification from Hockey Canada! As an organization we are thrilled to see our staff continually growing and bettering their skills, we know it will have a positive impact on our players at the BCHL level and our local hockey system for the years to come.
