After a 5-year hiatus, the legacy brand relaunches with an all-new coach development initiative led by NHL mindset pioneer Vinny Malts

Calgary, AB— After a pause in live programming since the onset of the pandemic, Roger Neilson’s Coaches Clinic—a name synonymous with coaching innovation—is proud to announce its official return with the launch of the Roger Neilson Coaching Leadership Program, a revolutionary six-week experience designed to coach the coach.

This immersive program marks the next evolution of Neilson’s legacy, the human side of leadership and coaching. It’s the first of its kind, offering full-time hockey coaches a structured, science-backed approach to personal leadership development. And it’s led by one of the sport’s most forward-thinking minds: Coach Vinny Malts.

“We are beyond excited to be back and helping coaches in a new and truly meaningful way,” said Marshall Starkman, Executive Director of Roger Neilson’s Hockey. “This program is something we believe the hockey world has needed for a long time. We’re thrilled to have Coach Vinny Malts leading the charge—he’s a game-changer. His experience, vision, and connection to today’s players makes this the start of something much bigger than a single program. We believe this initiative can create a global impact, and we can’t wait to see where it leads. And yes—our live events will be back in 2026.”

Coach Vinny Malts brings unmatched credibility and energy to the relaunch. A pioneering mindset performance coach, Malts made history as the first of his kind to be hired in the NHL. Over the last 35 years, his path as a professional player, coach, and mental performance expert has positioned him at the forefront of culture-building and leadership training in the sport.

“I’m deeply honored and humbled that Marshall would trust us to help lead this next chapter of Roger Neilson’s Coaches Clinic,” said Coach Vinny Malts. “This initiative is something he’s envisioned for years—a way to enhance Roger’s legacy in a meaningful and lasting way. While I can only imagine the experience of being coached by Roger, I fully recognize the impact he had on so many across the hockey world. Through this program, we hope to create a space where conscious hockey leaders—both professional and amateur—can come together to build something truly special for the future leadership of our game. This opportunity is unlike any other, and we are beyond grateful to be part of this mission.”

His work, featured with multiple NHL teams, coaches & players, has helped athletes unlock next-level performance on and off the ice. Now, with the Roger Neilson Coaching Leadership Program, he’s applying that expertise to those who lead the game.

The new program is open to junior, college, pro, and elite-level youth coaches and offers limited enrollment for its first cohort. This is an immersive and personal leadership journey designed to thoughtfully develop a coach’s self awareness and intentional skill set. Coaches will engage in a mix of neuroscience-backed leadership sessions, weekly coaching circles, journaling and more designed to create sustainable growth, improved team culture, and better communication with today’s generation of athletes.

Enrollment is now open. The inaugural cohort launches July 2025.

Roger Neilson’s Coaches Clinic (live event) will return in 2026.