Centering connection in hockey and taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Born and raised in Charlottetown PEI, Cam Squires played minor hockey in the Charlottetown Minor Hockey Association for the Charlottetown Abbeys. He played along many of his friends, creating some of the best hockey memories. Cam moved away from home for the first time at the age of 15 to Rochester, New York, and played at Bishop Kearney Selects Prep School. At 16, Squires returned to Canada, beginning his QMJ career, which has taken off during his three seasons with the Cape Breton Eagles. Cam considers Cape Breton to be a second home, and he credits the community for welcoming him with open arms. It is because of this that Cam feels passionate about doing his part and helping in the community, especially if it means he can be a role model for many young hockey players. In 2023, Cam was named the QMJ Humanitarian of the Year. Not only did he put up impressive numbers on the ice, but he also made a significant impact in the community. Cam selected the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Breton as his charity of choice and thus created the Squires Squad. He donated season tickets to the Youth Non-profit Charity, which allowed families to attend the Eagles home games. Cam has also volunteered his time at the club to provide a mentorship service, and even organized a ball hockey tournament that engaged the community.

Beyond the Ice is a podcast by Cape Breton University Researchers exploring coaches training and approaches in relationship building, effective communication practices, and leadership skills to improve confidence, enhance motivation and collective performance. Having conversations with coaches, players, parents, and hockey operation staff – taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Hosts:

Dr. Lynn LeVatte (lynn_levatte@cbu.ca) (Lead Researcher) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Sarah MacRae (sarah_macrae@cbu.ca) (Department of Communication and Languages, Cape Breton University)

Dr. Kristin O'Rourke (kristin_orourke@cbu.ca) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Shaun Ranni (shaun_ranni@cbu.ca) (Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport)

Centering connection in hockey and taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Born and raised in Howie Centre, Chris Culligan, has had a notable hockey career in Canada and Abroad as both player and coach. From 2004 to 2009, Chris showcased his exceptional skills in front of a hometown crowd as a player, and former Captain, with the then Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, leaving a memorable mark during his tenure.

From there, Chris continued to make waves at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) from 2009 to 2014, where he was a 2x national champion. During these years Chris also represented Canada on the international stage.

Following his university career, Culligan ventured into the realm of professional hockey, spending three impactful years playing abroad. Recently, his commitment to the sport extended behind the bench as he moved into coaching. Bringing his wealth of experience back to the Cape Breton Eagles, Chris served as an assistant coach for three years, imparting his knowledge and passion for the game to the next generation of players.

Now the head coach of the local U18 program, Chris continues to contribute to the development of young talent. In parallel, he established "Culligan Hockey Development," a small group skill development business focusing on both in-season and off-season training, shaping the skills and futures of aspiring hockey players.

In 2023, the Cape Breton Eagles honored Culligan’s career and contributions to the organization by retiring his #7 jersey to the rafters, only the 2nd player in franchise history to receive the honours.

2024 TELUS CUP: https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/national-championships/men/u18-club/2024

Beyond the Ice is a podcast by Cape Breton University Researchers exploring coaches training and approaches in relationship building, effective communication practices, and leadership skills to improve confidence, enhance motivation and collective performance. Having conversations with coaches, players, parents, and hockey operation staff – taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Hosts:

Dr. Lynn LeVatte (lynn_levatte@cbu.ca) (Lead Researcher) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Sarah MacRae (sarah_macrae@cbu.ca) (Department of Communication and Languages, Cape Breton University)

Dr. Kristin O'Rourke (kristin_orourke@cbu.ca) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Shaun Ranni (shaun_ranni@cbu.ca) (Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport)

Centering connection in hockey and taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Mike Chiasson is a former goalie from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. He is the current Manager of Youth Hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Goalie Development Professional at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Most recently, Mike is the Goalie Development Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mike is a former Quebec Major Junior Hockey League goaltender with the Rimouski Oceanic and finished his playing career with four years at Acadia University. Prior to joining the Penguins staff, Mike spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Acadia Axemen and the technical director for the Acadia Minor Hockey Association. Beyond the Ice is a podcast by Cape Breton University Researchers exploring coaches training and approaches in relationship building, effective communication practices, and leadership skills to improve confidence, enhance motivation and collective performance. Having conversations with coaches, players, parents, and hockey operation staff – taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Hosts:

Dr. Lynn LeVatte (lynn_levatte@cbu.ca) (Lead Researcher) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Sarah MacRae (sarah_macrae@cbu.ca) (Department of Communication and Languages, Cape Breton University)

Dr. Kristin O'Rourke (kristin_orourke@cbu.ca) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Shaun Ranni (shaun_ranni@cbu.ca) (Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport)

Centering connection in hockey and taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

A native of Moncton, N.B., Charlie Bourgeois brings over 12 years of professional hockey experience to the Atlantic Hockey Group. His amateur career was crowned by a Canadian University Championship with Les Aigles Bleus de l’Université de Moncton (Moncton Blue Eagles). Charlie was named “All Canadian” in that championship. During his NHL career Charlie played for the Calgary Flames, St Louis Blues and Hartford Whalers. His professional career also included playing and coaching in Europe for 3 seasons.

Founded in 1989, the Atlantic Hockey Group (AHG) program has become one of the most successful in Atlantic Canada. The philosophy of the Atlantic Hockey Group is to bring together a group of highly qualified instructors in a professionally structured training environment. AHG works with over 10,000 young male and female hockey players each year as well as having over 500 coaches involved in the different programs.

Learn more here: https://www.atlantichockeygroup.com/

Beyond the Ice is a podcast partnership between Cape Breton University Researchers and the Atlantic Hockey Group exploring coaches training and approaches in relationship building, effective communication practices, and leadership skills to improve confidence, enhance motivation and collective performance. Having conversations with coaches, players, parents, and hockey operation staff – taking an inside look at what has defined success, beyond the ice.

Hosts:

Dr. Lynn LeVatte (lynn_levatte@cbu.ca) (Lead Researcher) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Sarah MacRae (sarah_macrae@cbu.ca) (Department of Communication and Languages, Cape Breton University)

Dr. Kristin O'Rourke (kristin_orourke@cbu.ca) (Education Department, Cape Breton University)

Shaun Ranni (shaun_ranni@cbu.ca) (Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport)