Tom Duffey Hockey Schools

Locations/Schedules

Christmas Break School

Halifax/Bedford

Female Schools

Goaltenders

Registration

Special Fee Discounts

Early Bird Draws

Private Schools/Other Services

Instructors

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"School was very well run and kids had fun at the same time. A Class Act."

"We have been very impressed with this school and in particular the personal approach taken by yourself and staff to follow-up with the participants."

"Instructors displayed an obvious wealth of knowledge both technical and practical."

"Instructors were very knowledgeable and interacted well with the kids."

"Instructors certainly did wonders for our son's confidence and he had a ball."

"Level of supervision was great. We watched closely the first day as our son is only Novice age and we quickly found all your instructors were great, just like mother hens."

"Great mix of senior instructors combined with younger major junior instructors."

"Super job of supervision on and off-ice."

"Strong balance between skill, instruction, fun and keeping interest of kids on track."

ALEX OUELLET - Owner & Lead Instructor

Alex brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to the ice as the owner and lead instructor of Tom Duffey Hockey Schools.

Alex's playing career included five years of junior hockey followed by three years of NCAA Division III hockey. Although an injury brought his playing career to an earlier-than-expected end, it never diminished his passion for the game. Instead, it opened the door to a new chapter in hockey through coaching and player development.

Alex began coaching with Tom Duffey Hockey Schools in 2018, and over the years, his passion for teaching and developing players has continued to grow. In the 2023-24 season, Alex served as Head Coach of the Spryfield Attack of the NSRJHL. He then spent two seasons coaching at Mount Academy in Prince Edward Island, serving as Head Coach of the U17 team in 2024-25 and the U18 team in 2025-26. During his time at Mount Academy, Alex also played an integral role in the school's skills development program and contributed to its spring hockey programs.

For the current 2026-27 season, Alex has joined the Chaleur Lightning of the MHL as an Associate Coach, continuing to expand his experience at the high-performance level.

Alex's commitment to player development is also reflected in his education and coaching certifications, which include:

Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science
Hockey Canada High Performance 1 Certified
Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders Certified
Hockey Canada Safety Program Certified
Hockey GM & Scouting Certification - Sports Management Worldwide

As the new owner and long-time lead instructor of Tom Duffey Hockey Schools, Alex is committed to creating an environment where young athletes can grow and develop both on and off the ice. His philosophy is centered around skill development, confidence, accountability, and a genuine enjoyment of the game.

Alex is committed to continually improving as a coach and instructor, while providing the same opportunities for growth and development to the staff around him.

His goal is simple: to help every player leave the ice better than when they arrived - both as a hockey player and as a person.

ASHLEY FORLER - Manager & Goaltending Consultant

Ashley Forler

Ashley is a former university hockey goaltender whose passion for the game continues through coaching and player development. A standout student-athlete, Ashley played at Saint Mary's University in the AUS where she competed at the U SPORTS level. She was named to the AUS All-Rookie team during her rookie season in 2017-18.

Following her playing career she continued to stay involved in the game as a goalie coach. Ashley coached with a variety of female and male programs across various age groups. Her experience at the university level provided her with a strong understanding of the game, a commitment to excellence, and the leadership skills that she now brings to the next generation of players.

Ashley is excited to share her experience and knowledge with every player and is dedicated to helping each athlete reach their full potential both on and off the ice.

At our camps you will see Ashley around the rink assisting with a variety of tasks to keep camps running smoothly. You will also see her on the ice working with our goaltending team to support goalie-specific development.

TOM DUFFEY - Founder

Founded by longtime Nova Scotia hockey coach Tom Duffey, Tom Duffey Hockey Schools grew from Tom's belief that developing young hockey players was about more than simply stepping on the ice. His approach combined strong technical skills with an understanding of the game, teamwork, decision-making and the importance of preparing players for their next level.

For more than 30 years, Tom coached at the highest levels of Minor Hockey, including U15 AAA, where his Halifax Hawks became one of Nova Scotia's most successful programs. His teams captured provincial and Atlantic championships, and more than 60 former Hawks went on to compete at higher levels, including major junior, university and professional hockey.

Tom brought that same commitment to individual development to his hockey schools, creating programs focused on strong fundamentals, proper habits and age-appropriate skill development.

More than three decades after its founding, Tom Duffey Hockey Schools continues to build on the foundation Tom established: helping young players develop their skills, confidence and understanding of the game while fostering a lasting love of hockey.