Client Spotlights October/November

Running For Your Life is a Sports Performance Training Group offering serious, novice and casual athletes an active, healthy lifestyle that supports their athletic goals in a safe and creative way in the Durham Region, Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area. Working with all age groups, Running For Your Life provides programs that focus on speed and strength strategies with an emphasis on improving athlete’s running mechanics. Operating throughout the Greater Toronto Area RFYL offers sports performance training, speed training, school and extra-curricular team training, virtual training, nutritional counselling, personal training, running programs, kids’ programs, boot camps and much more.

Please explore our site and see what we have to offer you! www.running4yourlife.com

 We began our journey as TWIST in Whitby in 2008 focusing on athlete and team development. We quickly broadened our fofels who wanted more than a typical gym or health club option. In September of 2019 we re-branded to Move365 to help motivate more people move, every day.

Over the past 11 years we have evolved our team, our philosophies and our services to help as many people as possible with their health, fitness and performance needs. We have decided to branch off on our own by creating our own brand, our own identity and plotting a new course to help people in Durham Region move better and perform better every day.

MOVE365 is based on the core concept that movement is the root of athletic excellence. It is also the key to optimal health, fitness and performance.

We move from the ground up. We create movement from the inside out. We move based on learned (and unlearned) motor patterns, not muscle contractions. No matter how fast, how strong or how fit you are, if there are flaws in these motor patterns, inefficiencies or dysfunction anywhere on the movement spectrum can lead to poor performance or potential injury.

We are not just in the athlete training business, we are in the movement coaching business. We want to build better movers, better athletes and better performers in sport and in life. We are here to teach and refine movement, to inspire people to move, to coach them to move better, and motivate them to move, every day.

move365.ca

 At Okanagan Hockey Ontario our primary focus is to promote the long-term development of each of our athletes in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community. Putting young, motivated people in a structured environment, surrounded by a world-class staff and support system, allows us to deliver a consistent message and value system that we feel is imperative to the long term development of our students.

We believe that elite athletes need to be challenged, yet supported, in all aspects of their lives. We hold our student-athletes accountable for their efforts, attention to detail, and above all their attitudes. We have learned through experience that those three key ingredients are keys to future success.

Okanagan Hockey is built on experience, knowledge, passion for our game, and above all, Okanagan Hockey is built on each individual’s mark left behind as they move on to achieve their goals. The commitment to excellence in all areas is what makes Okanagan Hockey Ontario a tremendous opportunity for any young and aspiring hockey player

 About HSM: We are a small town family who grew up on a farm with a hockey rink in the front yard.  To say that we love hockey would be an understatement.  Peter is a former trainer, coach, and minor hockey president, Joey is a former rep/junior level player with a Sport Management Degree and has worked for Hockey Canada, Vancouver Canucks and the Vancouver Olympic Committee. Ashley is a former player, Nick played all the way up through NCAA and Pro.  Dustin played all the way up through NCAA, was drafted by the Montreal Canadians, and now works in the NHL.  

We are fortunate to be able to say that the game has given us a lot back. But growing up hockey was expensive, if it wasn't for an old man who worked all the time and a mother who spent her life in the rinks we wouldn't be able to do it, what's worse is that if it were today we wouldn't have been able to afford competitive hockey! 

So in Dec 2010 we started Walshy Stick Repair as a way to give people lower priced options on good quality sticks.  We would utilize the many connections we had built throughout the game to source top end sticks, repair them using a proven method, and make them available to amateur and recreational level players in our community.  

Since then we have built HockeyStickMan Inc. into one of the largest online hockey stores in North America, and continue to grow simply based on word of mouth! We now offer the following: 

Latest Model Pro Stocks | Each season we source thousands of extra top end pro sticks directly from the teams (Brand new / never used). 

Hard to find Pro Stocks | We are also able to source older model sticks that are no longer for sale in stores.  Not only are we the only place you can find these sticks but we also have them at lower prices.

Blacked Out Pro Stocks | One of the best deals that we have going is blacked out pro stock sticks.  Your getting a brand new top of the line composite stick for a fraction of its retail price. 

Kids Sticks (Proper Flex) | In 2015 we partnered with a top of the line composite product R and D and Manufacturing facility to create pro quality sticks with low flex profiles for young players, and we sell direct from the manufacturer. 

Refurbished Sticks | Our refurbished customers not only keep coming back but they continue to refer people to us, we have now completed over 10,000 and we firmly believe they remain one of the best buys for a quality product in all hockey. 

Despite tremendous growth it is still family owned and operated.  We have just needed to pull in a few more relatives to help out! 

We continue to operate with the same principals in mind that made us successful from day 1........Keep all operating costs to a minimum, we do not have fancy storefronts and our website is in house designed and managed. We do not do any paid marketing, promotions, or advertising. We simply put our products out there at our best possible price and rely on word of mouth, which in the hockey world, is everything! 

Mary Giacalone is the founder of Scary Skate, established in 1986.

Mary is the founder of Scary Skate, established in 1986. The year prior, Mary developed the program “Motion on Ice” that was sold and used by 27 hockey centers throughout North America. In 1986, TSN aired a special on her as the youngest female professional power skating instructor to be hired by a pro hockey team, the Saginaw Generals of the International Hockey League. Mary then spent 4 years in France with various Division 1 hockey teams as a power skating instructor.

In 1997, she created the “Power Before Skating” video. Mary would be honoured in Canadian Living in 2000, in the Female Sports Figures section. She would hold the position of Oshawa Generals (OHL) skating coach from 2001-2005. She purchased the Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) in 2005. She served as the Belleville Bulls (OHL) skating coach from 2005-2014. Mary worked with the UOIT Men’s and Women’s hockey teams from 2012-2019.

She also ran the CHL officials skating camp in 2012. In 2014, she began working with Hockey Canada as a skating instructor with the U-18, U-22, and National players. She was the skating instructor in Hamilton at the National Strength & Conditioning camps, and was certified in 2016 through the NCMP Program. Mary also founded the Eastern Elite Spring Hockey program.

Ryan grew up playing minor hockey in Whitby.

Ryan played his minor hockey for the Whitby Wildcats AAA, he Captained ‘C’ multiple OMHA Championship winning teams.

Ryan was drafted in the 2007 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Draft. He played 4 years in the OHL for the Ottawa 67’s from 2007-2011. In 2007-2008 he won Gold at the Under-17 World Hockey Championships playing with Team Ontario. He also played in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Top Prospects Game in 2010, and the OHL All Stars - Jr Super Series in 2010-2011.

After a successful junior hockey career, he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft. Ryan Played 7 years Professionally in both North America and Europe from 2011-2018. He also played for Team Canada at the 2014-2015 Spengler Cup.
He is a "Hockey Canada Certified Power Skating and Skills Coach". As well as the Head of Development and a Head Coach of multiple teams with Eastern Elite Spring Hockey.

Ryan’s playing and coaching experience, as well as his elite skill set, has translated into coaching and developing athletes throughout the Minor, Junior, and Professional Hockey ranks.

Justin grew up playing minor hockey in Orono, Central Ontario & Peterborough.

Justin played his minor hockey for the Central Ontario Wolves AAA and the Peterborough Petes AAA. He was selected in the OHL Draft by the Peterborough Petes, where he would go on to play from 2003-2007 after one season spent with the Bowmanville Eagles Jr A of the OJHL. Juzzy was a key piece of the OHL Champion Petes during the 2005/2006 season.

He would go on to play 4 seasons of USports hockey at Carleton University before starting his coaching career.

Caruana has worked with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks Women’s team since 2012, where he began as an Assistant Coach, and took over as Head Coach in 2016. In 2021/22, he was the recipient of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Coach of the Year Award.

Brandon grew up playing minor hockey in Clarington.

Brandon played his minor hockey for the Clarington Toros AAA, where he spent 10 years as an effective two-way forward as a result of his strong skating ability.

He would go on to pursue lacrosse as his main sport, playing for the Clarington Gaels Jr. B as well as the Brock University Lacrosse team. It would be during his time at Brock University that Staaly would complete his Physical Education Honours Degree.

He has now worked with the Durham School Board for 6+ years. Staaly’s passion for teaching is evident on the ice. With over 15 years of coaching experience, he has gained a wealth of knowledge and loves to pass it along to his players.

Justin grew up playing minor hockey in Ajax/Pickering.

Justin played his minor hockey for the Ajax/Pickering Raiders AAA. Although undrafted to the OHL in his draft year, Justin would be selected by the Belleville Bulls following one season with the Uxbridge Bruins Jr. C, where he was awarded the COJHL Rookie of the Year.

Justin would play for the Belleville Bulls and Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) from 2013-2016, while also spending time with the Wellington Dukes Jr. A from 2013-2017. Beaner served as Captain of the Wellington Dukes in 2016-17, and would be awarded Defenseman of the year in his final two seasons with the club.

He went on to play for the York University Lions (OUA) where he served as team captain in his final season. Justin then moved on to play for the Cincinnati Cyclones, Wichita Thunder, and Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL. This past season he was awarded Defenseman of the Year for the Tulsa Oilers. He is currently entering his 3rd Professional Season.

Guy Jacobs grew up playing minor hockey in Timmins.

Guy played his minor hockey in Timmins, Ontario, before moving on to play for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals and Guelph Platters from 1981-1984. Throughout his Junior career, Guy also spent time with the OJHL’s Newmarket Flyers and Orillia Travelways Jr. A.

He would go on to sign an NHL contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1984, leading to a six year professional career from 1985-1992.

Guy spent time as a Player/Coach in Winston Salem of the ECHL before starting his full-time coaching career. He coached the OJHL’s Cobourg Cougars Jr. A and Bowmanville Eagles Jr. A before becoming an OMHA Coaches mentor.

Connor played his minor hockey for the Whitby Wildcats AAA, before being drafted to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2009. He then played five successful years of junior hockey. He would spend the majority of his Junior career in the United States, playing for the EJHL’s Green Mountain Glades.

In his final season, Connor would return home to Captain the Whitby Fury Jr. A of the OJHL. As a result of a great final season, Connor earned a roster spot with the York University Lions (OUA), where he would be a mainstay on the back end from 2015-2017.

Haler capped off his hockey career with an OUA Championship in his final season as a York University Lion.

 Athletics offers many opportunities for participants and spectators alike to socialize with their neighbours and meet other members of the community at local sporting venues. Sports also provides individuals with outlets to learn and develop skills, express themselves, raise their self-esteem and, in many cases, achieve recognition on a regional, provincial, national and/or international level.

This fosters the creation of positive role models, who in turn will encourage and empower youth to get involved in sports, lead active and healthy lifestyles, and strive for excellence as well.

Through its recognition of local sports talent and their associated acclaim, the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame instills a lasting sense of pride in the community. The accomplishments of our local athletes, teams, coaches, builders, and media personalities generate local and worldwide attention for our Town, and leave indelible marks on all those who have supported, witnessed, or interacted with our inductees.

The Whitby Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1997 with the express mandate to recognize and honour the names and the accomplishments of individuals or teams who have brought fame to both this community and to themselves through their athletic prowess and/or contributions to sports.

The Whitby Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit, community organization, guided by a Board of Directors who function primarily to ensure that the objectives of the Hall’s mandate come to fruition. All committee members volunteer their time to this organization.

All sports and athletic activities are celebrated. Whitby has a long history of success in athletics and it can be assured that the Hall will continue its tradition of celebrating our athletes and their accomplishments for generations to come.