The Defensive
Edge
Where smart defense starts.
🏒 Elite Female Defence Clinic 🏒
📆 July 26-27
📍 Wille O’Ree Arena
This two-day intensive clinic is specially designed for female defense players who want to elevate their game to the next level. Participants will receive personalized training to enhance their skating agility, refine crucial defensive skills, and develop the tactical awareness required to excel in competitive hockey. Throughout the clinic, players will engage in high-tempo skating drills emphasizing precise edge control, rapid transitional skating, and explosive power. They’ll practice essential defensive maneuvers, including gap control, strategic angling, puck retrieval under pressure, and confident breakout execution.
In our comprehensive classroom workshops, participants will explore advanced tactical scenarios through detailed video analyses and interactive strategy sessions. These workshops will deepen their understanding of positional responsibilities, special teams dynamics (penalty kill and power play), and effective communication on the ice. Our unique leadership sessions will also help players grow their confidence, fostering skills essential to becoming standout team leaders.
Beyond skills training, participants will have the unique opportunity to engage in Q&A sessions with our experienced guest coaches—providing valuable insights into what it takes to compete at higher levels and maintain consistent performance.
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to boost your defensive capabilities, gain critical insights from knowledgeable coaches, and form lasting friendships with fellow players dedicated to excellence.
DAY 1 – Skating, Structure & Situational Awareness
🧠 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Classroom Session #1 – Defensive IQ Reloaded
✔️ Video breakdowns of elite-level plays (gap control, angling, structure)
✔️ Team whiteboard challenge: “Who owns the zone?”
✔️ Identifying defensive responsibilities during puck movement and rotations
⛸️ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Ice Session #1 – Skating Lab with Jena McLeod
Led by high-performance skating coach Jena McLeod
✔️ Edges, transitions, acceleration mechanics
✔️ Lateral control, pivot flow, blue-line agility
✔️ Confidence drills to command space
🍎 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM | Classroom Session #2 – Vision & Voice
✔️ Reading the play: Neutral zone anticipation, breakout options
✔️ Vocal leadership & communication cues for defense
✔️ Guest insight: “How elite defenders lead without shouting”
🏒 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Ice Session #2 – Situational Defense
✔️ Gap control battle stations
✔️ 1-on-1 & 2-on-2 scenarios
✔️ Corner containment & net-front body positioning
DAY 2 – Battles, Breakouts & Special Teams
🧠 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Classroom Session #3 – Breakout Brainstorm
✔️ Breakout mapping: D-to-D, weak-side support, under-pressure reads
✔️ Video review of elite breakouts in action
✔️ Strategy cards: When to skate vs. when to pass
🏒 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Ice Session #3 – Breakouts Under Pressure
✔️ Live breakout reps with coach interference
✔️ Retrieval techniques: shoulder checks, net-turns, wall escapes
✔️ First pass decisions & controlled exits
🍎 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM | Classroom Session #4 – Special Teams & Poise
✔️ PK positioning & clears
✔️ Power Play quarterback: movement, deception, shot-pass reads
✔️ Guest Q&A with Kat Pelowich & Eric Neilson
🧱 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Ice Session #4 – Special Situations & Zone Mastery
✔️ D-zone rotation drills (low support, net-front reads)
✔️ Stick lane disruption & controlled clears
✔️ Half-ice PP/PK reps with focus on defensive positioning
✔️ Coach-led feedback loop with positional resets
🎁 Included:
- Custom Rink Rebels jersey
- Snacks provided both days
- Clinic workbook & leadership reflection sheet
- Group photo with coaches & guest speakers
Let them come. Let them pressure. You don’t break — you take control.
Rink Rebels: Own the Zone. Command the Blue Line.
Coaching Staff
Eric Neilson (Coach, Mentor, Ex-Pro Enforcer)
Katia “Ekaterina” Pelowich (Captain, STU Tommies Women’s Hockey)
Jena McLeod
Doug Grandy