TPH’s Matt Larke named Flint Firebirds’ skill development coach

Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate Matt Larke on his new position as skill development coach for the Ontario Hockey League’s Flint Firebirds.

Larke, a player development coach and mentor at the Center of Excellence in Detroit, played eight seasons of professional hockey before joining the TPH team. Along with his role in the Center of Excellence, Larke also coaches in the TPH Michigan Hockey Advancement program, as well as the TPH team that annually attends the OHL Cup.

“We are incredibly proud of Matt and very excited for him,” said TPH director of player development Brandon Naurato. “He is a world-class instructor, and he’s going to do great things with Flint.”

Larke specializes in skating stride, edge work and mechanics, among other hockey skills.

“I want to thank the Flint Firebirds organization for trusting in me and giving me this opportunity,” Larke said. “I’m looking forward to working with the players and helping them each individually develop so that at the end of the day, the team’s having success on the ice.

“The Firebirds have a tremendous staff in Flint; I’m very much looking forward to learning from Ryan Oulahen and the rest of the coaching staff. A gold medal at the Gretzky Hlinka Cup speaks for itself – Oulahen is an elite head coach and I’m excited to learn and help in any way I can.”

The new position with the Firebirds will not impact Larke’s day-to-day operations with the TPH CoE; Larke will work with Flint players after school ends for both respective groups.

“I’m thankful of TPH and the great hockey minds I have learned from such as Brandon Naurato (Detroit Red Wings) and Jimmy McGroaty (Hamilton Bulldogs),” Larke said. “The way they think helps me put skating skills into situations that are relevant so the player feels the most comfortable in games. When they get into those situations they know all of their options and how to win each battle.”