Corey Perry: “In the last few years I have begun to really prioritize skating and that is when I decided to work with Kathy. The value of strong skating skills is ever increasing in the NHL, and it is with Kathy’s training and guidance that I have been able to improve my skating and stamina and ultimately maintain a strong presence in the league, including 3 straight runs to the Stanley Cup Final. I am thankful for Kathy’s help in maintaining the longevity of my career.
I also now have the privilege of watching Kathy teach my son Griffin, and I am in awe of the progress he makes with her daily. She is tough, skilled and knowledgeable, and we have seen her magic work on multiple levels.”
Interview with Bo Horvat and Jared McCann
Kathy working with Windsor Spitfire players (<– click link to see video).
Bill Bowler – General Manager & Vice President, Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club
“Kathy’s knowledge and coaching skills are exceptional when developing athletes. Her strong demeanor demands the best out of players and improves their skating skills tremendously. Watching her break down our players strengths and weaknesses, and her ability to get the best out of every player, improves their chances for the next level. Kathy’s energy, passion and strong work ethnic is contagious. We are excited to have her join the coaching staff and our club will benefit, as well as individual Spitfires’ players, from her teaching skills.”
Tyson Baker – NHL Official
“Through Kathy’s knowledge, enthusiasm and devotion I have become an overall better skater. My job demands the ability to skate; from the edge work, to my posture and stride and everything in between, I have been able to take my skating abilities to a whole new level.”
Christian Dvorak – Arizona Coyotes
“Had the pleasure of working with Kathy for the first time this summer! I took stock of the areas of my game that needed improvement after playing against the best in the world in the NHL this past season. Clearly there were a couple issues with my skating that needed improvement. I shared those with Kathy and she put a plan together and we worked for a full week attempting to improve the quickness of my first couple of strides in addition to adding power to my stride in general. These improvements should have an impact in all 3 areas of the ice which makes it so critical. Kathy not only is an incredible instructor who breaks down the movements of your skating but who also has the ability to communicate so effectively and constantly encourages while still hammering away at the key reminders. What Kathy taught me in one week, will hopefully be the building block of continual improvement in my skating. I am very grateful to her and would recommend Kathy to any player that is serious about improving themselves!”
Jerry Wright – Head Coach Waterloo Wolves AAA Minor Bantam
“Kathy is the consummate professional. She began working with our team three years ago. It became clear right away that Kathy was extremely skilled and accomplished at teaching the art of skating as it relates to hockey. As a staff, we quickly decided that she would be integral to our team’s improvement. The results for our team have been outstanding. Kathy has proven to not only be a master at her craft but she also has a wonderful ability in helping kids develop self – confidence—a vital component to individual and team success.
Thank you Kathy!”
Cal O’Reilly – AHL – Buffalo Sabres
“Kathy has helped me improve my skating stride technique and explosives”
Brian O’Reilly – Human Potential Plus
“Kathy is a wonderful addition to Human Potential Plus Boot Camp. Over the past two seasons she has successfully empowered NHL, Junior and AAA level players to new levels of excellence in skating. She is a kind, considerate coach with an impressive technical ability to effectively persuade athletes to self evaluate and become better players. Her strong confident demeanour empowers people to become better”.
Liam Maaskant – Kitchener Rangers OHL
“I have been skating with Kathy for over 6 years. The sessions take hard work however they have helped my stride and agility immeasurably. The most important factor that Kathy pinpoints is through escaping the standard “comfort zone” to develop a much stronger and more efficient skater”.
Phil Westman – Stratford Cullitons OHA Junior B Hockey Club
“Kathy has brought great enthusiasm, spirit and a very high level of skating instruction and development to the Stratford Cullitons Junior B Hockey Club. A true pleasure and asset to all hockey levels and ages”.
Ryan O’Reilly – Colorado Avalanche/Buffalo Sabres
“Kathy is a great skating instructor who has help me become a much more efficient and powerful skater. I believe she has made me a better well rounded player. Working with her she help push me to find my weakest areas and grow them stronger. Not only has she done that through our sessions she also has showed me how to improve my skating while I’m alone on the ice or with my team. In every level of hockey the speed of the game improves and Kathy make that transition much easier. I will continue to work with her and improve my skating”.
Nickolas Latta – Sarnia Sting/Cologne Sharks
“The Sarnia Sting hired Kathy McLlwain to improve and continue development of our skating and she helped me lengthen my stride and generate more power using my edges. She definitely made me quicker”
Trevor Letowski – Head Coach Sarnia Sting OHL, Former NHL player, Assistant Coach Team Canada U18 team 2014 IIHF World Championships
“Kathy is one of the premiere skating instructors that I have had the chance to work with. Her work with our players has paid dividends on the ice for our hockey club.”
Kevin Parker – Shanghai Thunderbirds
“As president of Shanghai Thunderbirds Hockey I would like to thank Kathy for her willingness to think outside the box and become part of our Thunderbird family. Kathy conducted a skate camp for our association in May 2015. The 50+ participants were continuously challenged and demonstrated tremendous improvement over the weekend Camp. Participants included players from all over the world living with their families here in Shanghai. Overcoming language and cultural differences, quickly adapting to our unique challenges involving ice time, Kathy never skipped a beat in delivering her exceptional program. I highly recommend Kathy, she is one of a kind!”
Pete DeBoer – Head Coach San Jose Sharks
“I have watched Kathy work with high level players every summer for the past 6 years. She commands respect on the ice with her presence and concentrates on the foundation of speed which is stride,edge work and generating more power. Whether it is an NHL player or a minor hockey player her energy is contagious and the improvement in each individual daily is credit to her teaching skills.”
Bo Horvat– Vancouver Canucks
“Kathy has shown me what it takes to become a powerful skater. She has worked extremely hard with me on my quick starts and getting my stride lengthened out to compete at the Pro level. What I like most about Kathy, is her willingness and dedication to teaching, and getting the maximum push out of every stride. Kathy’s excellence in her field has helped me immensely with my skating and game at the Pro level.”
Bobby Raymond – EC Red Bull Salzburg
“I have been training with Kathy for the past 7 years. Kathy’s training helps me improve my skating efficiency every summer that I work with her. This understanding of where I can be more efficient has helped tremendously in game situations where fatigue used to be a factor for me. Kathy’s edge-work training and focus on balance has pushed me to become capable of more aggressive skating maneuvers by getting me out of my comfort zone and recognizing weaknesses. Skaters of all levels will benefit from Kathy’s training and years of experience.”
Kathy McLlwain Professional Coach 