The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) today announced the release of a new educational module titled “Athlete Mental Wellness and Performance: A Guide for Coaches,” as part of its ongoing Coach Education Course on Abuse and Harassment. This module reflects the IIHF’s commitment to strengthening the mental well-being of athletes and equipping coaches with the knowledge and tools to support them effectively.
The new module, which takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete, provides coaches with a framework for understanding mental wellness, recognizing signs of distress, and guiding players toward appropriate help and support. By integrating mental health education into its coach training, the IIHF is underscoring that psychological wellness is not just a matter of personal well-being, but central to athletic performance and safety. The module consists of information, coach-led experiences through videos, animations, interactive quiz, and defined learning outcomes
A key contributor to the development of this module is Professor Martin Mrazik, a clinical neuropsychologist and full professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. Dr. Mrazik brings decades of experience in the study of neuropsychology, sports-related concussion, and athlete mental performance. He has served as a neuropsychological consultant to major professional sports leagues, and his research includes traumatic brain injury, psychological outcomes following concussion, and the mental well-being of athletes.
Additional expertise has come from renowned and knowledgeable coaches and sport professionals, including Vicky Sunohara, Daniel Alfredsson, Peter DeBoer, Gregory Tarlé, André Lysenstoen, Iara Haiek, and Dr. Frauke Kubischta, whose extensive backgrounds in high-performance sport and sport coaching further strengthen the module’s development.
“Coaches play a decisive role in creating the environment in which an athlete can thrive, not just physically but mentally,” said Luc Tardif, IIHF President. “Thanks to the expertise of Professor Mrazik and other contributors,
this module gives our coaches insights and practical guidance to support players’ mental wellness in a meaningful way. The health and dignity of our athletes is always our priority.”
By placing this module within its broader Coach Education Course on Abuse and Harassment, the IIHF is aligning its educational strategy: earlier modules address cultural change, power relationships, discrimination, and the signs of abuse, while this new module expands that foundation to mental wellness and performance support. Coaches who complete the module are expected to be more aware, better prepared to intervene, and more capable of fostering positive, supportive team environments.
In practical terms, the module encourages coaches to take a proactive and caring approach: listening actively, identifying when a player may be struggling, and helping them access professional support. Rather than treating mental wellness as a separate topic, it is integrated into how coaches think about performance, trust, and team culture.
This launch aligns with the IIHF’s continued dedication to athlete welfare, and marks a significant step in the federation’s work to promote safe, inclusive, and performance-focused environments in ice hockey. The “Athlete Mental Wellness and Performance” module
complements the existing lessons in the course and contributes to the IIHF’s wider goal of safeguarding players at all levels of the game.
IHF Integrity
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is committed to protecting ice hockey and everyone involved in the game by upholding the highest standards of integrity. Through its four core pillars—Anti-Doping, Competition Manipulation, Abuse & Harassment, and Ethics—the IIHF works to ensure the sport remains fair, safe, and credible worldwide. Integrity is a shared responsibility, and together the global ice hockey community plays a vital role in protecting the game.
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About the IIHF
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), founded in 1908, serves as the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and inline hockey. The IIHF organizes international competitions, sets rules and standards, and promotes the sport’s growth across all genders, age groups, and regions.