Whitson's Journey from Player to Coach

Team Canada Paralympian transitions from on the ice to behind the bench to help grow the game of women's para ice hockey

“We spend a lot of time together but honestly I would not have it any other way,” says Tara Chisholm, head coach of the Women’s National Canadian Para Hockey Team. The person Chisholm is referring to is her associate coach, Derek Whitson, who also just happens to be her fiancé and business partner for their local non-profit adaptive sport organization. Chisholm and Whitson started coaching Team Canada together in 2014 after Whitson had introduced Chisholm to the program initially.

“Derek is an unbelievable coach. His past experience as a para ice hockey Paralympian of course is invaluable but it is more than that. When he first started coaching the national team he was a little unsure of how he was going to translate his knowledge that came naturally to him as a player to the women. It took him a couple of years to shift from a player’s mindset of looking at the game to a coach mindset but now he’s got it down pat,” said Chisholm.

When asking about what makes Whitson a great coach, Chisholm expanded on Whitson being a great balance to what she brings. “We are a bit opposite when it comes to our coaching styles,” explains Chisholm. “I am very structured and often appear to be quite serious when I am coaching. I’ll look across the ice and see Derek laughing with players as he’s just challenged them to a shooting contest or showing them a stickhandling trick. He is so great at building connection with the women while also getting the best out of them.”

Anyone who knows Whitson will know that it is not just the elite level that he cares about. He has travelled all over Canada and the world working with all ages, genders and skill levels. If he can help someone out he will be there. It is not unusual for him to follow up with them to check in on how they are doing.

“He truly cares about people,” says Chisholm. “Sometimes I find that elite athletes get to a certain level and they may give back in small ways or give to those that they can help get to the elite level. Derek has always had this humility to him that makes him accessible to everyone. It’s just something engrained in him. People can feel it right away that when he is helping you he truly wants to help you however he can.”

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