For decades, Canada’s coaches relied on sports binders, DVDs, and stacks of printed manuals to train the next generation of hockey players. Today, all of that fits in the palm of a hand. With the launch of the Hockey Canada Network app — powered by Ascend — coaching content has gone fully digital, transforming how knowledge is shared with athletes, parents, and coaches nationwide.
The Shift to Digital Coaching
Since partnering with Ascend, Hockey Canada has moved its entire minor hockey coaching program online, a shift that has eliminated the expense and inefficiencies of producing and distributing physical manuals. The app now serves as the official platform for all NCCP coaching resources approved by Sport Canada, delivering drills, videos, practice plans, and development information directly to coaches.
Coaches have responded enthusiastically. They highlight the ease of use, age-specific content, and the ability to create and share custom practice plans. Weekly and monthly updates tailored to specific levels have become a favorite feature, streamlining preparation and communication across Canada’s hockey community.
How Coaches Really Use the App
“The Hockey Canada Network App is a one-stop shop for everything a coach needs throughout the season,” says Corey McNabb, Director for NextGen Development, Hockey Canada. “Before this platform, we faced major challenges with outdated delivery methods from printing manuals, burning DVDs, and shipping hard copies. With Ascend, we now have a tool that’s modern, adaptable, and built for how coaches actually work today.”
McNabb also sees the app as a bridge to the future, “I see the HC Network evolving into a desktop version that mirrors the app, giving coaches more flexibility. The goal is to let them create and share content seamlessly across devices whether at home or on the rink.”
Innovation at the Intersection of Sport and Technology
Founded by entrepreneur Ted Hellard and technology leader Aaron Glenn, Ascend was born out of a belief that coaching deserves more than outdated tools. Their platform empowers teams and organizations to deliver personalized training, advanced drill libraries, and instant updates all while creating lasting connections between athletes and coaches.
At its core, Ascend is guided by a simple principle: don’t just embrace change, pioneer it. Every solution is designed to unlock potential, create smarter pathways forward, and ensure that the communities they serve are always one step ahead.
For Ascend’s co-founder and CEO, Aaron Glenn, the company’s culture reflects his own approach: fast-paced, practical, and fueled by a love of the game. That passion comes through in his vision: “We focus on giving coaches the resources they need to make a real difference in athletes’ performance and confidence.”
A Partnership Powering the Future of Coaching
The collaboration between Ascend and Hockey Canada is more than a technology upgrade, it’s a reimagining of how knowledge, mentorship, and training reach every corner of the sport. By bringing Hockey Canada’s trusted development resources into the Hockey Canada Network app, and combining it with Ascend’s expertise in mobile coaching platforms, the partnership has created a digital hub that equips coaches with the right tools at the right time.
As Head of Product and Operations, Joy Domingo, puts it, Ascend’s strength lies in the details — from refining drill libraries to ensuring updates roll out instantly — so coaches get a tool that feels natural to use. “When we hear that a coach used the app to save time planning practice or found a drill that clicked with their players, that’s when we know we’re doing our job right. For us at Ascend, success is measured in the everyday moments during training, where better tools lead to better experiences for coaches and athletes.”
Together, Ascend and Hockey Canada are setting a new benchmark for how sports organizations can evolve in the digital age: shifting from outdated distribution means to now agile, on-demand mobile solutions. The result is a platform that empowers coaches, inspires players, and strengthens the connection between communities and the game they love.
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