Barb’s in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of skating combined with her attention to detail make her an excellent resource for players of all levels. Her teaching style yields extremely quick results and she possesses a unique understanding of how each skating skill is applied to our game. She helped me drastically improve all aspects of my skating during my career. I would recommend Barb to all players hoping to improve their skating and further develop their skills as a hockey player.

In 1999, when HEROS was just an idea in the mind of Norm Flynn, he went looking for people who could help take it from idea to reality. One of those people was Barb Aidelbaum who dove in head first and worked tirelessly recognizing the need to create an opportunity to play hockey for young people from economically challenged neighbourhoods who needed it most but had the least access to it. Barb brought with her not only a technical understanding of hockey skills and directing Hockey Schools but more importantly the ability to teach conventional skills in an unconventional manner to young people who fell outside the conventional hockey system. She has also helped guide the growth and evolution of the organization as a founding board member, providing 2 decades of service assisting with fundraising, brand development, policy development, and so much more.

Working with Barb since 2001 has been instrumental in taking my game to new levels. Barb closely assesses my skating techniques and then delivers specific instruction to where I can improve. I believe the detailed skating instruction that Barb has given me has been an advantage for me playing in the NHL and allowed me to achieve my dream of playing for Canada in the Olympics.

I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Barb on many hockey players through the years, mostly in rehab situations for serious and / or recalcitrant injuries. Barb has a unique ability to accurately evaluate a player’s skating mechanics and develop an effective plan to improve a player’s skating. Equally impressive is her ability to effectively communicate and integrate within an interdisciplinary team. Especially in complex cases where every attention to detail is required to ensure success, Barb is able to apply her expertise within an integrated plan that includes all aspects of rehab, movement retraining, strength and conditioning and hockey-specific training. She is easy to work with but is also demanding in a very positive, professional way - as it should be!

I have been training with Barb since I was 13 years old, and her skating expertise has played a pivotal role in my development and pursuit of professional hockey. Her attention to detail and ability to hone every aspect of the skating craft has kept me coming back for over 20 years. My transition from player to official required a lot of skating-related adjustments, and Barb once again coached me through the challenges and elevated my stride, edging, starts and turns to the NHL level. Her technical proficiency aside, Barb has also helped me tremendously with the mental side of the game. Her insights and knowledge of the hockey world, and her understanding of the emotional side of professional sports has always made a session with Barb a complete experience.

Barb and I have worked together since the summer of 2015 when I finished my last year in the CHL. She meets with me right after the season to discuss areas of improvement and what to focus on throughout the summer. She also works closely with all other members of my team (strength trainer, physio, etc) to ensure we take full advantage of the short summer months. By them working directly with each other, it allows me to incorporate each technique throughout my training regimen. My skating has seen vast improvements in speed, strength, and technique throughout our time together to date. I also appreciate the constant messages of both encouragement and critique as she closely watches my skating habits all season long.

After 4 full years of training with Barb my only regret is that I didn’t start working with her earlier. She has as an incredible ability to tweak certain aspects of my skating game, which I have found to make me a more powerful, balanced and efficient skater. Barb is flat out the most knowledgable and technically sound skating coach I’ve ever worked with.

I was very fortunate to grow up with a strong skating skill set, through coaching and camps in my youth. Barb has taken my skating to another level! She challenges me out of my comfort zone and gets me on edges I didn’t know I had! Her coaching has been essential to my development. As our great game continues to get faster and faster her coaching has been essential in my personal growth. Getting into position and moving at the same level as the players is vital to being a successful official. I always look forward to working with Barb in the off-season!

I have been working with Barb since 2008. Barb has an excellent ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your skating and offer valuable insights for improvement. She has great technical knowledge that can help you adjust to the rigors of the NHL and the ever-increasing speed of the game. She is a true professional and I’m grateful to have had her help.

Skating is the most important hockey skill – it is the foundation for success in the game. Barb Irving Aidelbaum’s understanding of skating biomechanics has helped both young athletes and professional players. Her coaching and skating expertise can help you reach a new performance level.

Barb Aidelbaum shows a real dedication towards helping players learn about on-ice safety and awareness with her primary goal: safety along the boards. Her power skating skills that she will implement, along with her safety and awareness program, are long overdue. Any time spent with Barb will be time well spent.

In todays game I believe skating is the number 1 skill you must have to be an elite player. The game keeps getting quicker and faster. After breaking an ankle I felt a half-step behind. until I worked with Barb. Then I felt I was a half step ahead. She also addressed my balance and agility- things I didn’t think were of great importance. No doubt Barb made me a better skater – and I had fun while doing it!

Barb has been a huge influence in my hockey career as an amateur player, pro player and now NHL scout. She has given me a strong work ethic and really helped me reach my potential as a NHL skater. I trained with her from my WHL days and while I was playing in the NHL. She never tried to change my style but always built on the skill set that I had. Everything I learned from about the skating stride and edges is from Barb. Now when I’m scouting the next NHL players or running my own hockey camps I follow her philosophies, expertise and teachings.

My summer training is never complete without a week on the ice with Coach Barb. Barb coordinates our August Camp for NHLOA members. It consists of off-ice Fitness and Conditioning, Mental Performance Training and Skating Development. She does an amazing job of breaking down my stride and her extensive knowledge of edges, body positioning and skating mechanics leaves me feeling stronger and more efficient. My skating improves with every session. I really appreciate the time and patience she puts into translating fine technical corrections into functional adjustments that I can apply to my skating immediately. I always leave her camp feeling confident and prepared for my upcoming season.