Holmes coaches championship team though apprenticeship

Lane Robinson REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Merritt’s very own JJ Holmes got the opportunity to apprentice coach the champion female U18 Team BC Hockey team at the Canada Winter Games (CWG) this year. The CWG were held from February 18 to March 5, 2023 in Prince Edward Island and saw over 3600 participants. Holmes was part of only 11 coaches from across the country to be part of the Aboriginal Sport Circle’s Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (ASCAACP).

“I started playing when I was 13, a bit of a late start I know, but that’s because I grew up in Douglas Lake. It wasn’t ideal for my parents to drive three boys to hockey,” said Holmes.

“I played a couple years of Junior ‘B’ in Princeton, but I ended it after that because of the fees associated with billeting, it wasn’t the easiest of times facilitating me playing hockey anymore.”

Holmes’ love for hockey didn’t end when he stopped playing, however. Once his children started playing hockey, he took an interest in coaching them and their teams. This eventually led him to the opportunity provided by ASCAACP.

“This was my first year with Team BC, I’ve done probably five years of minor hockey coaching and took this year off to facilitate the program because it was a bit of a commitment,” explained Holmes.

“BC Hockey brought me into their elite performance program and I was able to go to some camps over the summer where they were selecting the teams. I got to sit in the stands with the Hockey Canada scouts and see the scouting aspect, and I got to jump on the bench with a bunch of different coaches along with goalie clinics. It was a full, rounded experience through this program.”

Holmes described the experience as one that sets him up for success in the future. There were a lot of great coaches, staff, and players that helped to open his eyes to how much goes on to create a great team and a great season.

“I had a lot of great mentors that were really successful and had a lot of great knowledge that they were able to pass on and I can now implement it in my future and my kids future and hopefully some more aboriginal kids futures as well,” commented Holmes.

“It’s been a huge opportunity, Kris Hogg kind of took me under his wing there and I have a gold medal winning coach at my fingertips now that I can lean on and get support from. The whole staff there taught me a lot, and my eyes have really been opened up to all the different aspects and factors that make a team whole.”

With this experience and knowledge under his belt, Holmes said he plans to support his childrens’ teams and use this experience to help Indigenous children gain equal access to opportunities in hockey that might not have been available without his new contact.

“I’ll definitely be supporting minor hockey next year, either one of my sons’ teams, but we have contacts now with some Junior ‘B’ clubs where I can do some scouting and stuff like that,” added an excited Holmes.

“Right now it’s just something I have in my back pocket, and if the opportunity arises, I can pursue that opportunity.”

Holmes wishes to be able to help young Indigenous athletes pursue their dreams in hockey, adding that he is grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from some great coaches.

Holmes said he values the knowledge and contacts he now has, and wants to use it to support the Indigenous hockey community.