21st April 2024, Klagenfurt – The main rink at the Klagenfurt Ice Arena was only getting ready for the IIHF Women World Championship Division I-A, while the practice rink next door had already been swarming with young girls in hockey gear. The 2nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy brought together over one hundred young female ice hockey players from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. Over the three days, they worked on their on-the-ice skills, learned about off-the-ice elements of the sport, and forged friendships with other young athletes from the region.
Day one of the event was focused on practicing various skills in small groups, headed by coaches from all five teams. The groups were mentored by the IIHF coaching experts Erika Holst, Kristi Kehoe and Satu Kiipeli. The session was of added value not only for the young players but also an opportunity for the coaches from the five different countries to share knowledge between themselves, as well as with the IIHF experts. A particular benefit of the session was the possibility of trying out the newly acquired approaches in real-time.
Staying with the tradition of the event’s dual nature of combining activities both on and off the ice, the other focus of the day was on a mental preparedness workshop led by Katja Passanen. She discussed the issues of motivation and self-confidence in sports with the young players and coaches. Since many of the participants have yet to attend such type of coaching, it was a welcome opportunity for them to get acquainted with this part of an athlete’s development and growth.
The second day at the ice rink included practices dedicated exclusively to hockey goalies and the ice hockey game officials. The goalies were mentored by Florence Schelling, a former Swiss Women’s National Team Goaltender and four-time Olympian. The referee sessions were led by Alexia Cheyroux, a linesperson in the French men’s professional leagues and linesperson at the recent IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, NY. These early bird coachings were followed by practice sessions for the teams, focusing on the various aspects of the game. In the afternoon, the teams got their chance to test the freshly acquired knowledge in three-on-three games, with coaches and experts standing by to evaluate and advise their actions in real-time. When not grinding on the ice, the teams also attended additional mental coaching workshops.
The third day started with another spell of educational practice sessions for goalies, coaches and referees. This was followed by a tournament of mixed teams of players from all the participating countries, with their coaches and IIHF experts as team staff. Regardless of the final winner, the tournament was the best possible conclusion of a three-day event, as the young girls got the chance to play with, and against their peers from the region.
Once again, the WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy proved to be a beneficial venue for young players, not only to develop their sports skills and knowledge but also to forge new friendships.
https://www.whp4p.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1371-scaled.jpg19202560WHPP PRhttps://www.whp4p.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/logo-whp4p-340x156.pngWHPP PR2024-04-21 13:19:452024-12-29 10:25:492nd WHPP Festival and Academy a complete success
17th April 2024, Klagenfurt – The second in the series of the WHPP educational events will build on the lessons learned from the first year of the project, focusing on the young girls under the age of 18. The event will maintain its dual focus, combining on-ice learning experiences with off-ice workshops. This comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive a well-rounded education in various aspects of ice hockey, including skills development, strategy and mental preparation. During the three-day event participants will attend presentations and workshops held by IIHF experts: Alexia CHEYROUX (FRA), Erika HOLST (SWE), Kristi Kehoe (USA), Satu Kiipeli (FIN), Katja PASANEN (FIN) and Florence SCHELLING (SUI).
Alexia CHEYROUX (FRA) is a former ice hockey player in the French women’s championship. Linesperson in the French men’s professional leagues – Ligue Magnus, Division 1 – since 2010 and at the IIHF competitions since 2019 (2019 – WW U18 D2, Spain; 2021 – Olympic pre-qualification, Italy; 2022 – WW U18 D1A, Hungary; 2023 – WW U18A, Sweden). In 2022 she also attended USA Hockey Officiating Development Camp in Minnesota.
Erika HOLST (SWE) is a former Swedish National Team ice hockey player, representing Sweden at nine World Championships and winning silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics and bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. She played with the Segeltorps IF and Riksserien in Swedish elite league and with the University of Minnesota Bulldogs when they won the first three NCAA women’s championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Currently she is the Head Coach of Frolunda HC women’s team in Sweden’s Division 1.
Kristi KEHOE (USA) is currently the Sports Director of the Anaheim Lady Ducks, with over 28 years of playing and coaching experience. She played NCAA Division 1 at Northeastern University; where she led her team as a forward in goals, points, and assists for three seasons. Since retiring from playing, Kristi has gained experience at all levels of hockey as a Head Coach, Associate Head Coach, and Assistant Coach within NCAA Division 1 and 3, Jr Hockey, IIHF Hockey China U18, and working within the USA Hockey system. She has been the Director of Player Development for the New England District within USA Hockey for eight years, and also has worked all USA Hockey Development Camps on the girls side, holding roles as; Mentor Coach, Head Coach, Skills Coach, and On-ice Director. She prides herself on being an advocate for Girls’ and women in hockey.
Satu KIIPELI (FIN) is a former Finnish national team player with Olympic and World Championship appearances. Three time national NCAA D1 Champion with University of Minnesota-Duluth and Finnish Champion with Oulun Karpat. Current she is the Head Coach of Oulun Karpat in Finnish Women’s League. She holds master’s degree in sport administration and is certified pro coach.
Katja PASANEN (FIN) works as a mental performance coach in several different sports. She has worked as Head Coach of the IFK Helsinki U16 and U18 women’s teams and HPK senior women’s team. Already as a player and then later as a coach she was interested, how can she help players play at their level. She has studied e.g. sports psychology, behavior, sports medicine and social psychology, etc. Currently she is mental coach of Finish men’s top-level league team Rauman Lukko. “The higher the level of performance in top sports, the smaller the technical differences in the sport become, and the mental control of strengths becomes more prominent.” (www.katjapasanen.fi)
Florence SCHELLING (SUI) is an Olympic and World Championship bronze medalist and MVP. As a goalie, she represented the Swiss Women’s National Team for 15 years, including at at the Winter Olympics of 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. She played at Northeastern University in the NCAA and Linköping’s HC for three seasons in the Swedish SDHL.
https://www.whp4p.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024_04_2ndWHPPExperts-scaled.jpg19232560WHPP PRhttps://www.whp4p.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/logo-whp4p-340x156.pngWHPP PR2024-04-17 08:21:312025-07-23 14:04:182nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival & Academy experts from Europe and USA
11th April 2024, Klagenfurt – The capital of the Austrian region of Carinthia has been chosen to be this year’s host of the 2nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy. From 19th to 21st of April the city of Klagenfurt will welcome over one hundred young female ice hockey players from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia.
The second in the series of the WHPP educational events will build on the lessons learned from the first year of the project, focusing entirely on the young girls under the age of 18. The event preserves the well-received dual focus of on the ice learning experience, combined with off the ice workshops. The WHPP Consortium believes this comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive a well-rounded education in various aspects of ice hockey, including skills development, strategy and mental preparation.
In order to enhance the real-game learning opportunities, the WHPP Festival will be played with four mixed teams, compiled from the five project partner countries at the beginning of the event. The games on Saturday will be played there on three, with referees officiating the games in a two-person-system, while the games on Sunday will be played five on five, with referees officiating the games in a three-person-system.
At the same time, the focus of the WHPP Academy will be on the target groups’ education. During the three days event participants will attend presentations and workshops held by IIHF experts: Alexia CHEYROUX (FRA), Erika HOLST (SWE), Kristi KEHOE(USA), Satu KIIPELI (FIN), Katja PASANEN (FIN) and Florence SCHELLING (SUI).
https://www.whp4p.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WHPP_Maribor_Day1_G-4-scaled.jpg17072560WHPP PRhttps://www.whp4p.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/logo-whp4p-340x156.pngWHPP PR2024-04-11 15:17:032024-12-27 15:30:282nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy
2nd WHPP Festival and Academy a complete success
/0 Comments/in Coaching, Development, Game Officiating, News, Players /by WHPP PR21st April 2024, Klagenfurt – The main rink at the Klagenfurt Ice Arena was only getting ready for the IIHF Women World Championship Division I-A, while the practice rink next door had already been swarming with young girls in hockey gear. The 2nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy brought together over one hundred young female ice hockey players from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. Over the three days, they worked on their on-the-ice skills, learned about off-the-ice elements of the sport, and forged friendships with other young athletes from the region.
Day one of the event was focused on practicing various skills in small groups, headed by coaches from all five teams. The groups were mentored by the IIHF coaching experts Erika Holst, Kristi Kehoe and Satu Kiipeli. The session was of added value not only for the young players but also an opportunity for the coaches from the five different countries to share knowledge between themselves, as well as with the IIHF experts. A particular benefit of the session was the possibility of trying out the newly acquired approaches in real-time.
Staying with the tradition of the event’s dual nature of combining activities both on and off the ice, the other focus of the day was on a mental preparedness workshop led by Katja Passanen. She discussed the issues of motivation and self-confidence in sports with the young players and coaches. Since many of the participants have yet to attend such type of coaching, it was a welcome opportunity for them to get acquainted with this part of an athlete’s development and growth.
The second day at the ice rink included practices dedicated exclusively to hockey goalies and the ice hockey game officials. The goalies were mentored by Florence Schelling, a former Swiss Women’s National Team Goaltender and four-time Olympian. The referee sessions were led by Alexia Cheyroux, a linesperson in the French men’s professional leagues and linesperson at the recent IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, NY. These early bird coachings were followed by practice sessions for the teams, focusing on the various aspects of the game. In the afternoon, the teams got their chance to test the freshly acquired knowledge in three-on-three games, with coaches and experts standing by to evaluate and advise their actions in real-time. When not grinding on the ice, the teams also attended additional mental coaching workshops.
The third day started with another spell of educational practice sessions for goalies, coaches and referees. This was followed by a tournament of mixed teams of players from all the participating countries, with their coaches and IIHF experts as team staff. Regardless of the final winner, the tournament was the best possible conclusion of a three-day event, as the young girls got the chance to play with, and against their peers from the region.
Once again, the WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy proved to be a beneficial venue for young players, not only to develop their sports skills and knowledge but also to forge new friendships.
2nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival & Academy experts from Europe and USA
/0 Comments/in Coaching, Development, Game Officiating, News, Players /by WHPP PR17th April 2024, Klagenfurt – The second in the series of the WHPP educational events will build on the lessons learned from the first year of the project, focusing on the young girls under the age of 18. The event will maintain its dual focus, combining on-ice learning experiences with off-ice workshops. This comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive a well-rounded education in various aspects of ice hockey, including skills development, strategy and mental preparation. During the three-day event participants will attend presentations and workshops held by IIHF experts: Alexia CHEYROUX (FRA), Erika HOLST (SWE), Kristi Kehoe (USA), Satu Kiipeli (FIN), Katja PASANEN (FIN) and Florence SCHELLING (SUI).
Alexia CHEYROUX (FRA) is a former ice hockey player in the French women’s championship. Linesperson in the French men’s professional leagues – Ligue Magnus, Division 1 – since 2010 and at the IIHF competitions since 2019 (2019 – WW U18 D2, Spain; 2021 – Olympic pre-qualification, Italy; 2022 – WW U18 D1A, Hungary; 2023 – WW U18A, Sweden). In 2022 she also attended USA Hockey Officiating Development Camp in Minnesota.
Erika HOLST (SWE) is a former Swedish National Team ice hockey player, representing Sweden at nine World Championships and winning silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics and bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. She played with the Segeltorps IF and Riksserien in Swedish elite league and with the University of Minnesota Bulldogs when they won the first three NCAA women’s championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Currently she is the Head Coach of Frolunda HC women’s team in Sweden’s Division 1.
Kristi KEHOE (USA) is currently the Sports Director of the Anaheim Lady Ducks, with over 28 years of playing and coaching experience. She played NCAA Division 1 at Northeastern University; where she led her team as a forward in goals, points, and assists for three seasons. Since retiring from playing, Kristi has gained experience at all levels of hockey as a Head Coach, Associate Head Coach, and Assistant Coach within NCAA Division 1 and 3, Jr Hockey, IIHF Hockey China U18, and working within the USA Hockey system. She has been the Director of Player Development for the New England District within USA Hockey for eight years, and also has worked all USA Hockey Development Camps on the girls side, holding roles as; Mentor Coach, Head Coach, Skills Coach, and On-ice Director. She prides herself on being an advocate for Girls’ and women in hockey.
Satu KIIPELI (FIN) is a former Finnish national team player with Olympic and World Championship appearances. Three time national NCAA D1 Champion with University of Minnesota-Duluth and Finnish Champion with Oulun Karpat. Current she is the Head Coach of Oulun Karpat in Finnish Women’s League. She holds master’s degree in sport administration and is certified pro coach.
Katja PASANEN (FIN) works as a mental performance coach in several different sports. She has worked as Head Coach of the IFK Helsinki U16 and U18 women’s teams and HPK senior women’s team. Already as a player and then later as a coach she was interested, how can she help players play at their level. She has studied e.g. sports psychology, behavior, sports medicine and social psychology, etc. Currently she is mental coach of Finish men’s top-level league team Rauman Lukko. “The higher the level of performance in top sports, the smaller the technical differences in the sport become, and the mental control of strengths becomes more prominent.” (www.katjapasanen.fi)
Florence SCHELLING (SUI) is an Olympic and World Championship bronze medalist and MVP. As a goalie, she represented the Swiss Women’s National Team for 15 years, including at at the Winter Olympics of 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. She played at Northeastern University in the NCAA and Linköping’s HC for three seasons in the Swedish SDHL.
2nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy
/0 Comments/in News /by WHPP PR11th April 2024, Klagenfurt – The capital of the Austrian region of Carinthia has been chosen to be this year’s host of the 2nd WHPP Ice Hockey Festival and Academy. From 19th to 21st of April the city of Klagenfurt will welcome over one hundred young female ice hockey players from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia.
The second in the series of the WHPP educational events will build on the lessons learned from the first year of the project, focusing entirely on the young girls under the age of 18. The event preserves the well-received dual focus of on the ice learning experience, combined with off the ice workshops. The WHPP Consortium believes this comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive a well-rounded education in various aspects of ice hockey, including skills development, strategy and mental preparation.
In order to enhance the real-game learning opportunities, the WHPP Festival will be played with four mixed teams, compiled from the five project partner countries at the beginning of the event. The games on Saturday will be played there on three, with referees officiating the games in a two-person-system, while the games on Sunday will be played five on five, with referees officiating the games in a three-person-system.
At the same time, the focus of the WHPP Academy will be on the target groups’ education. During the three days event participants will attend presentations and workshops held by IIHF experts: Alexia CHEYROUX (FRA), Erika HOLST (SWE), Kristi KEHOE(USA), Satu KIIPELI (FIN), Katja PASANEN (FIN) and Florence SCHELLING (SUI).
Official flyer of the 2024 Klagenfurt event
Friday, 19th of April 2024
ICE RINK KLAGENFURT
TEAMS’ PROGRAM
Saturday, 20th of April 2024
ICE RINK KLAGENFURT
TEAMS’ PROGRAM
Sunday, 21st of April 2024
ICE RINK KLAGENFURT
TEAMS’ PROGRAM