Chris Barry

Head of Player Development

Chris Barry serves as Head of Player Development for Rink Rebels, bringing more than 12 years of coaching experience and a strong commitment to long-term athlete development across multiple levels of the game.

Having worked with players from U7 through U18, Chris has built a reputation for developing confident athletes while creating environments where players feel supported, challenged, and motivated to improve. His coaching philosophy centers around growth, opportunity, and helping players build both skill and character through the game of hockey.

As Head of Player Development, Chris plays a key role in shaping and guiding the development pathway within Rink Rebels. His responsibilities include supporting and advancing the organization’s player development model across all divisions. His oversight includes:

• Skill progression standards across all age groups
• Practice structure and the Rink Rebels development curriculum
• Player evaluation and development tracking
• Coach mentorship and teaching alignment
• Oversight of the Rink Rebels High Performance Program
• High performance training sessions and specialty development opportunities
• Identification of players for advanced development opportunities
• Travel tournament team selection and placements
• Development guidance and feedback for players and parents
• Supporting spring and summer development programs
• Upholding the Rink Rebels culture and development philosophy

Chris also serves as the primary contact for travel tournament opportunities within the Rink Rebels program.

His coaching philosophy goes beyond wins and losses. Chris believes true development is built through opportunity, consistency, and confidence. He is a strong advocate for giving athletes the chance to grow through experience and believes development is about preparing players for the long run, not shortening the bench to win a game.

Chris credits longtime mentor Art Wood as a major influence in his coaching journey. Art’s ability to bring out the best in his players and build strong teams continues to shape Chris’s approach today.

As Rink Rebels continues to grow through spring programs, summer development opportunities, the High Performance Program, and travel tournament teams, Chris’s role ensures that every athlete within the organization is developing within a clear, structured pathway.

Strong development. Confident athletes. Lasting impact.

That is the foundation Chris is helping build within the Rink Rebels program.

Contact: chris.barry@rinkrebels.ca