Private hockey skills coach

Parents of minor hockey players who want extra development, and families whose kids are just learning to skate or play.

Fee per session for private lessons, or per child for small groups. Some coaches sell blocks of sessions at a small discount to encourage regular attendance.

• Strong skating and hockey ability
• Patient and encouraging with children
• Clear demonstration and explanation
• Planning drills for different ages and levels

• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether the rink requires its own proof of cover
• Rinks may have rules on outside coaches, so confirm what is allowed before booking ice
• Working with children usually means a police record check with vulnerable sector screening and coaching certification, so check what your province and local hockey association require
• Ice time is costly and busy in winter, and spring and summer demand drops, so plan for seasonality
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check how your province treats it

Estimates typically run around $500 to $2,500, depending on your equipment, insurance and how you book ice time. Ice time is costly, so check rink rates first.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many players you coach and your rates. Estimates assume at least about 5 hours a week, and demand drops in spring and summer.

Check what your province and local hockey association require. Working with children usually means a police record check with vulnerable sector screening and coaching certification. Also check rink rules on outside coaches and liability insurance.