— Elementary school teacher to help coach Prince Albert Raiders —
(OSOYOOS TIMES — July 25, 2007) —
By Chad IngramrnOsoyoos Times
An Osoyoos teacher is trading in his marking pen for a whistle and hockey stick, as he takes a shot at coaching in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Craig Bedard has taught at Osoyoos Elementary School for the last 15 years. During that time he was also heavily involved in coaching amateur hockey in B.C. His coaching experience includes stints as Assistant Coach of the Penticton Vees, Head Coach of the Osoyoos Heat and even Head Coach of Team B.C. at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.
In August Bedard will move to Saskatchewan, as he becomes the new Assistant Coach of the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders.
Hockey is a subject the now-former teacher is well-versed in.
It's been a lifelong love of the game, Bedard says. It's one that stays in your blood.rnLike many Canadian boys, Bedard first picked up a stick as a small child. He went on to skate as a forward with both the Summerland Buckeroos and Vernon Lakers in the BCHL.Bedard also spent four seasons playing with the University of Alaska while he attended school there.
Hockey, not the world's gentlest sport, is famous for requiring a great deal of heart. For Bedard, it's this drive that so attracts him to the game.
Anybody that's associated with sports, they pursue it with passion, he says. They dedicate a lot of time and effort. That passion is my favourite part of the game.rnThe Osoyoos resident now finds himself in a position most people dream of, as his passion becomes his career.
The coaching position is a full-time job.
Bedard is sure the communication skills he honed as a teacher will be a valuable asset in his new vocation.
I'm not one of those guys that's gonna yell all the time, he says. I'm more of an analyst.rnHe joins Head Coach Bruno Campese at the helm of the Raider's ark. The two have worked together in recent years, as Coach and Assistant Coach of the Penticton Vees.
Knowing Bruno and his work ethic, we complement each other well, Bedard said.
The new assistant coach will also bring a high-tech coaching element to his team. Bedard is well-known in B.C hockey circles for his expertise with using computers and video as a teaching medium.
He was hired by Team Canada as its video coach for the 2005 Deutschland Cup, and has spoken on 'The Use of Video' at several B.C. Hockey seminars.
It's a software program that enables you to view games, log them and mark off different parts (strategies, etc.), he says. You have it there immediately to use, for teaching, in-between periods, after games ¦ it's a really great tool to teach with.rnBedard seems prepared for his new responsibilities and new home in Saskatchewan's third largest city.
Prince Albert is a great hockey town, he says. If you're involved at this level, you want to be involved in a community where people enjoy the game and are passionate about the game.rnAs far as his new duties, Bedard is excited and aware of the pressures that go along with the gig.
You're ultimately responsible for that team's performance, he says. Based on your performance, you're going to get evaluated ¦ which is good. It makes you a better person and a better coach.rnBedard says he'll miss Osoyoos, and adds that he, his wife Michelle and son Caleb will be back to visit whenever they can. He's also leaving behind a newly-created hockey academy at the elementary school, set to debut this fall. He helped initiate the project.
It's in Bo's (Osoyoos Elementary Principal Bo Macfarlane's) hands now, and he'll do a great job, Bedard says.
Though Bedard seems like he'll miss the classroom, this is a dream he's been chasing for some time.
It's something we (he and his wife) have talked about for a long time, he said. We couldn't turn down the opportunity. We've found an opportunity that fits us as a family.
