Prince of Wales Skating Club
Registration opens mid August
office@powsc.ca
2026 Hockey Skating Programs
Skate Canada's updated national curriculum
Returning?
Skate Canada has retired CanPowerSkate in favour of the new programs. Last year, as we began the trasition to the new curriculum, we ran several trials under various names. Here's how it all translates:
CanPowerSkate
PowerSkate All Levels
Spring & Summer 2026
Spring & Summer PrePower and the near side of PowerSkate All Levels were all Hockey CanSkate — your skater keeps the stage they reached. Coaches confirm placement in the first weeks.
New to the program?
| My skater is 4 or older and wants to play hockey: | Hockey CanSkate |
| My skater is 4-5 and has never been on skates: | PreCanSkate first, then Hockey CanSkate |
| My skater is in CanSkate and wants to switch: | Same stage in Hockey CanSkate |
| My skater has their CanSkate Stage 6 badge: | Intro to PowerSkate |
| We don't have hockey gear yet: | CanSkate — the skating skills transfer, and hockey stance comes quickly once the gear arrives |
| I'm an adult and want to improve my hockey skating: | Adult PowerSkate |
PreCanSkate and CanSkate are our general learn-to-skate programs. Details at powsc.ca/program-overview.
Required equipment
Hockey CanSkate
- Hockey skates (or sledge)
- CSA-approved hockey helmet with cage
- Full hockey gear + neck guard
- Hockey or ringette stick
- Full gear is required for safety reasons. If gear is a barrier, contact us — there are organizations that can help. Or consider general CanSkate.
PowerSkate
- Hockey skates (or sledge)
- CSA-approved hockey helmet
- Hockey gloves
- Hockey or ringette stick
- Full gear is welcome in PowerSkate, but not required. All skaters are expected to know how to skate and to control their stick at all times.
Sessions
| Program | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey CanSkate, Stages 1-4 | Tuesday, Wednesday Saturday | 5:00 PM 12:30, 1:30 & 4:00 PM |
| Hockey CanSkate, Stages 3-6 | Tuesday, Wednesday | 6:00 PM |
| Intro to PowerSkate | Wednesday | 7:00 PM |
| PowerSkate | Tuesday | 7:00 PM |
| Adult PowerSkate | Saturday | 3:00 PM |
Prince of Wales Skating Club
2026 Hockey Skating Programs
In depth
Hockey CanSkate
Recommended by Hockey Canada, this program tailors the CanSkate curriculum for hockey. It picks up where CanPowerSkate PrePower, Level 1 and Level 2 left off. The lesson structure is new, but warmup and development time will feel very familiar.
Close attention is paid to hockey stance and stick use from day one. The program breaks every skill into easier parts and teaches those first, creating a steady progression from first steps to forward and backward crossovers, fast stops and starts, and quick turns.
Taught by CanSkate coaches on hockey skates, with assistance from PowerSkate coaches and skilled hockey players.
Coaches evaluate all season, so skaters advance as quickly as they learn. The three skill areas advance separately, in small groups of skills, each with its own ribbon to mark a skater's progress. Badges are earned as stages are completed. There's always more to achieve.
PowerSkate
This program takes the skills learned in Hockey CanSkate and deepens them. It continues the work of CanPowerSkate Level 3 and Level 4.
Skaters are challenged to improve their speed and power, their edge control, and their agility.
Every skill is trained in all relevant directions (left/right, clockwise/counterclockwise, etc.). Skills are also trained in combination with other skills.
Pucks are introduced in Intro to PowerSkate as an additional challenge as skating skill improves, and become part of lesson time and evaluations in PowerSkate proper.
Adult PowerSkate
A combined Hockey CanSkate and PowerSkate session for adults who are new to hockey or returning after a long absence. Whatever your level, we'll help you improve your hockey skating. Group lessons and supervised practice available.
Full gear is required for Hockey CanSkate level skaters, and advised for all.
Our coaches
Thank you, Chris Pitcher and Cy Dymond
Combined 50+ years on the ice with POWSC
Chris Pitcher brought the CanPowerSkate program to POWSC in the 90s and has been here with us for 30 years. Alongside him, Cy Dymond has led the program in recent years to uphold the strong foundation and reputation our community has come to know. Together, they have helped thousands of Newfoundlanders be better players. We wish them both a happy retirement from the CanPowerSkate program, and are forever grateful for all their years of service with us.
Chris, Cy: you are already missed.
"Mean Dean" Roberts
PowerSkate, Hockey
Played with MUN and Junior Jets. Lifelong hockey coach at all levels of minor hockey and all star. 10+ years coaching CanPowerSkate at POWSC. Go Leafs!
Tina Hunt
CanSkate, PowerSkate, Figure Skating (Provincial)
Coming soon...
Sam Fisher
PowerSkate
Played with with Caps from 6 - 18, including as captain. Couple of years of AAA. CanPowerSkate alumni and helped coach CanPowerSkate and PowerSkate All Levels last year.
Katie Best
CanSkate
National-level skater with 15 years on the ice and 4 years of coaching experience. Accomplishments include 2025 National Synchro Champion and 2026 National Synchro Silver Medalist. Specializing in CanSkate and PowerSkate.
Charlotte Stoyles
CanSkate, Figure Skating (Regional)
I’ve been skating for 14 years and coaching for the past 5 years. I’m a synchronized skating national silver medalist. I love helping skaters build confidence, develop strong skills, and have fun on the ice!
Sarah Kent
CanSkate, Figure Skating (Regional)
Coming soon...
Allie Ryan
CanSkate
Returning to the PowerSkate program for year #2, a CanPowerSkate alumni and competitive figure skater at a Provincial and National level.
Chris Poirier
CanSkate, PowerSkate, Figure Skating (Regional)
Skating 12 years, first on inlines on the street, and since on hockey and figure skates. Skating is my favourite thing to do. Still learning every day and I love that challenge.
Interested in coaching hockey skating with us? Ask us how.
Questions? office@powsc.ca · Registration opens mid August