🏒 Coach with CPMHA — Applications Open for 2026–27

The Carleton Place Minor Hockey Association is looking for Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches for the 2026–27 season across all house league divisions — U7 through U21.

This is your chance to be part of something that matters. If you've ever thought about stepping behind the bench, there has never been a better time. We're making it easier than ever to get involved — whether you're a seasoned coach or someone who has never held a clipboard in their life.

Why Coach in Carleton Place?

Minor hockey coaches are among the most impactful volunteers in any community. You'll spend a season watching kids grow in confidence, find their stride, make friends, and fall in love with a game that many of them will carry into adulthood. That's not a small thing.

Here's what makes coaching with CPMHA different this season:

🎓 We Pay for Your Certification

CPMHA will reimburse 100% of required coaching certification costs — that includes Hockey Canada clinics and the required online courses. All we ask is that you get advance approval before registering. We want certification costs to be zero barrier to coaching.

🧑‍🏫 You Won't Be on Your Own

Every coach in our system — from first-timers to veterans — has access to our Coach Mentor. This is an experienced hockey person whose entire job is to support you: helping with practice planning, answering rule questions, observing and giving feedback, running in-season coaching clinics, and being a resource whenever you hit a situation you're not sure how to handle. Think of it as having an experienced co-pilot available all season, for every level of coach.

👥 A Community, Not Just a Season

Our coaching staff is one of the best parts of the CPMHA community. You'll share the rink with coaches across 30+ teams who are all pulling in the same direction — great experiences for kids. The relationships you build on the bench tend to outlast the hockey season.

🏟️ Carleton Place is a Hockey Town

We field teams across seven age divisions — U7 all the way to U21 — in one of the most hockey-passionate communities in eastern Ontario. Your kids are here. Your neighbours are here. Come coach.

The Roles

You can apply for a Head Coach position, an Assistant Coach position, or both — we'll work with you to find the right fit.

Head Coach

You're the leader of the team. You plan and run practices, manage the bench on game day, communicate with parents, and work with your Level Convenor to make sure every player on your roster gets equal ice time and a great season. You don't need to have all the answers — that's what your Coach Mentor and Convenor are there for. You do need to be organized, patient, and committed to showing up for your players every week.

Assistant Coach

You support the Head Coach on the ice and on the bench. This is the ideal entry point if you're new to coaching, want to contribute without the full administrative load of the head role, or want to test the waters before taking on a head position in a future season. Great assistants are invaluable — don't underestimate the role.

Who We Need — Age Groups

We're staffing coaches across all seven house league divisions for 2026–27:

No matter which age group you coach, you'll be supported by a Level Convenor dedicated to your division and our association-wide Coach Mentor.

What Certification Do You Need?

Here's what's required by Hockey Canada and HEO for house league coaching. Remember — CPMHA reimburses all required certification costs with advance approval.

All coaches at every level also need:

• ✅ Shift Forward (or Speak Out) course
• ✅ Gender Identity and Expression course
• ✅ Current Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) — required every 3 years, Declaration required annually

Not certified yet? Apply anyway. As long as you're registered for the required clinic before your first on-ice activity, you're eligible. Our Coach Mentor can point you toward upcoming HEO clinic dates, and we'll help you plan out what you need. All courses must be completed by November 30, 2026.

Meet Your Coach Mentor

One of the things we're most proud of this season is our Coach Mentor program.

Your Coach Mentor is an experienced hockey person — a long-time coach and student of the game — who works across all age groups in our association. They're not there to evaluate you or tell you what you're doing wrong. They're there to make you better.

Here's what the Coach Mentor does:

• Practice planning support — whether you need a full practice plan, a drill idea for a specific skill, or just a second set of eyes on what you've got, your Mentor is the call to make.
• In-season coaching clinics — we'll run short, practical clinics through the season on topics like running better evaluations, communicating with parents, managing different skill levels on one team, and age-appropriate game systems.
• On-ice observation and feedback — your Mentor may drop in on your practice or game and offer constructive feedback afterward. This is always transparent, always supportive, and never punitive.
• A phone call away — got a situation with a player, a parent, or a referee you're not sure how to handle? Your Mentor has seen it before. Call them.
• Level-specific technical guidance — the Mentor works closely with Level Convenors to ensure coaching across all divisions reflects best practices and Hockey Canada's age-appropriate development philosophy.

Whether you've coached for twenty years or you're stepping behind the bench for the first time, the Coach Mentor is for you. Experienced coaches often get the most out of it — because someone who knows the game can have a different kind of conversation with them.

What to Expect After You Apply

1. The VP Hockey Operations reviews all coaching applications alongside the Level Convenors and Coach Mentor.
2. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a brief conversation, especially for Head Coach roles.
3. Applicants who are not shortlisted or not selected will be contacted to thank them for their interest and let them know whether CPMHA is keeping their name on file for future opportunities or not moving forward at this time.
4. Successful applicants will receive a coaching package before the season begins, including key dates, policies, equal ice time expectations, parent communication guidelines, and an introduction to their Level Convenor and Coach Mentor.
5. All appointed coaches must confirm their Vulnerable Sector Check is on file with the CPMHA Registrar before their first on-ice activity.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early — popular age groups fill up, and we want every team to have a complete, supported coaching staff before conditioning sessions begin in September.

Apply Now

Ready to get involved? Fill out our short application form below — it takes about five minutes.

​

Questions? Reach out to our VP Hockey Operations at [vphockey@cpmha.ca] or find us on Facebook at [CPMHA Facebook Page].

CPMHA is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all participants. All volunteers are subject to screening requirements in accordance with Hockey Canada and HEO policies. The CPMHA Executive is responsible for the selection and appointment of all Head Coaches.