High Performance Training
**Registration TBA**
The 2026 High Performance Program will occur at St. Andrews College in Aurora in July & August Monday on Thursdays between 4pm and 7pm. The group offerings as well as dates and times will be confirmed upon contact with Tara. This program is an invite-only program. Tara will be in direct contact with those invited to participate. Please contact Tara directly with any inquiries: taramckay71@gmail.com
Power Skating Expert Tara McKay offers hockey players the best training in high performance skating. Tara works with elite athletes including NHL Pro players, NCAA, CIS, OHL, Major Junior, and Midget AAA. Tara also continues to work at the grassroots level in minor hockey with several youth programs from the beginner level up to AAA.
Tara comes highly recommended by Gary Roberts. “I’ve added the best technical skating instructor I know to compliment the work I do with my players in the gym…someone who understands the game, the mechanics as well as the human body”.
The 2026 Summer High Performance Skating and Skills Program will occur on a weekly basis for AAA players that are accepted into the program. This program is for players who want to improve their technical skating and skills. We will integrate skills into the skating components in a methodical manner and provide a minimum of 1 and usually 2 additional instructors aside from Tara to provide a high level of individual attention, correction and reinforcement.
Tara leads players through intensive on-ice technical skating and intensive on-ice conditioning sessions focusing on improving skating mechanics and technique for improved power, speed and agility.
At the elite level, Tara also utilizes video analysis to enhance learning and accelerate the correction and development of a player’s body mechanics and skating techniques. Video is analyzed and shared with players, making it easier to understand the corrections they need to make, and accelerates their improvement.
Main areas of focus:
- Stride Mechanics and Efficiency of Skating Skills
- Edge Work, Balance and Stability
- Lateral Movement, Pivoting and Transition Skating
- Quickness and Agility, Starts, First Step Quickness
- Puck Control Postures and Techniques
Program Goals:
- Improving skating efficiency and technique through effective edging work, balance work and technical skating drills
- Analyzing and correcting body mechanics through On Ice Training and Video Analysis
- Identifying areas of skating weaknesses and ensuring weak areas are corrected
Additional Lead Instructors Include:
Jeff Corbett: Former 5-year defenseman in the OHL as Assistant Captain for Sudbury Wolves, 4-year defenseman with USport for the Brock Badgers where he was an Assistant Captain. Attended Ottawa Senators Prospects Camp in 2013. 2019-2020 Professional hockey in France for Cergy-Pontoise. Jeff is an excellent technical skater and has worked with Tara for the past 12 years in a lead role. Jeff trained with Tara on ice for 4 years and is now coaching with Tara going into his 13th season of instructing. In addition to his excellent hockey resume, Jeff has a bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and is currently studying Osteopathy.
Todd Winder: Current Professional player who spent 3 seasons in Sweden for Vimmerby and Karlskrona, and the last 3 seasons in Denmark for Frederikshavn and currently Esbjerg. Played 3 seasons in USports for the University of Guelph in which he was named OUA West Division Rookie of the Year, OUA All-Rookie Team, and OUA First Team Allstar, Assistant Captain, and won a Queens Cup (Ontario Championship). Former Aurora Tiger and Captain of the Newmarket Hurricanes Junior A Team. Todd has been an instructor at Tara McKay’s HPS for 14 years and has been in a Lead Role for the past 9 years. Todd is a incredible leader, role model and teacher who loves sharing his passion for hockey and growing the game.
Ryan Dunbar: Ryan Dunbar is a former Junior A player who competed in both the CCHL and OJHL. His path was unique—he rose through the ranks later than most, advancing from AE to Junior A in just three years (ages 14–17). At 18, he also attended an OHL camp with the Erie Otters as an undrafted free agent, a true testament to his dedication to training and the impact of Tara’s program, which he was part of during those key development years.
Ryan’s passion for training led him to become an instructor with Tara McKay, where he has been coaching for the past eight years and serving as a lead instructor for the last three. He is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Strength and Conditioning program and is currently pursuing a career as a firefighter.
Ryan brings energy and enthusiasm to the rink every day. He is committed to creating a positive learning environment where players not only receive high-quality technical skating instruction but also have a positive experience each time they step on the ice.