Testimonials

What the Coaches Say...

"I met Cathy while we were working the same hockey school and was very impressed with her knowledge and expertise as well as her professionalism on the ice. I firmly believe that the foundation of any great hockey player begins with his or her ability to skate. For this reason, when I started my own school, one of my first priorities was to get Cathy on board and have her teach my athletes power skating. She has a complete understanding of the skating stride, is dedicated to her craft, and is the reason many of my athletes continue to come back." - Rob Zettler, Former NHL Asst. Hockey Coach, San Jose Sharks. Current NHL Asst. Hockey Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs.

"Skating is the most important function in the game of hockey. Cathy has mastered the fundamentals of using edges, maximizing stride and using proper technique. She has proved time and again that her acumen for teaching will better prepare youths for the challenges of hockey."
- Roy Sommer, Head Hockey Coach, Worcester Sharks (AHL). Affiliate of the San Jose Sharks

"Cathy has been an integral part of the skating development of local hockey players. She is a key part of our Golden State Hockey School. Many of her students have gone on to Prep School, Junior and Collegiate hockey. The technical skills she enhances are what differentiate the average player from the elite."
- Ron Glasow, Head Hockey Coach, San Jose State University

"As a hockey coach, you always want your players to be stronger skaters than their opponents. Cathy has been able to refine my players skating abilities over the years by identifying and concentrating on each players' individual needs. I highly recommend Cathy as a hockey power skating coach, as I have seen the results personally."
- John McNulty, Former Coach, AAA Midget

What the Players Say...

"I've been skating with Cathy since I was 5 years old, starting at Golden State hockey camp. My dad, a professional coach, recognized the value of working with her and how she could improve my game. Her skating advice has helped me get to where I am today: the Russian Superleague and NHL draft prospect. Her coaching has been a significant part in my development as a hockey player and I continually review what I have learned from her."
- Viktor Tikhonov, Grandson of the legendary coach Viktor Tikhonov. Vik was selected as a first round 2008 NHL Draft pick to play for the Phoenix Coyotes!

"I have been taking lessons from Cathy for 8 years. I know whenever I step on the ice, there are things that I do that I learned from her. Her power skating techniques, the importance she places on using edges properly and the skills she teaches to improve footwork have all influenced my skating. I know her training has been a major contributor to my success in hockey. No matter what your current skating level, Cathy will be able to improve it."
- Dalton Speelman, San Jose Jr. Sharks 18 AAA 4-time USA Hockey National Select Player (1990). Dalton is currently playing in for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. News Story >>

"Photo taken 2009"

“Cathy’s Jr. Players from left to right, Noah Segall of Arizona Red Hawks, Chris Gularte of New England Jr. Huskies, Soren Jonzzon of the Waterloo Blackhawks, Ben Paulides of Youngstown Phantoms, Garret Jensen of Alpena Ice Diggers, Dalton Speelman of University of New Hampshire-Wildcats.”

What the Players' Parents Say...

"I was at a USA Hockey National conference when I heard a division one college coach state "If you can't get to the puck first you won't be a dominant player on the ice". I remember coming back to San Jose and seeing Cathy giving power skating lessons and knew this was a key to a players long term success, that was 10 years ago. Ben (17) and Nicole (14) have been long time students of Cathy and it's reaped huge rewards. Nicole is a two time California select player and plays AAA girls hockey. Ben was selected in the 2009 USHL draft (Youngstown Phantoms), placed on the protected list for the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes and made the Westside Warriors BCHL team, all directly related to the skating skills he learned through Cathy's innovative and progressive teaching methods. I have personally heard top scouts state that Ben is one of the best skating defenseman they've seen at the 91' birth year, this is all thanks to Cathy Andrade!"
“2011 update: Ben just accepted a four year scholarship offer with Miami University for next fall. Miami University Hockey is ranked #7 of 50+ NCAA division one ice hockey programs. “Cathy’s years of patient and persistent training has paid off in huge dividends. I’m convinced that Ben would’ve never reached this level without her. The skills Cathy teaches are critical to hockey success; we are lucky to have her as a coach.”
-Dave Paulides (10 year client) 2009. News Story>>

"Cathy has been a tremendous addition to the development of both my son's skating. They both have been playing at the fast paced Tier level for a few years and having the skills needed to skate at that level are a must. Her individual lessons and clinics are a MUST in our family's hockey planning. Simply put, she is a real pro at what she does and her instruction and attention to details is unsurpassed."
- Joe Licolli, Past President, Jr. Sharks Tier Hockey

"We have three sons who have trained with Cathy the past ten years. The benefits of her coaching are seen every time they step on the ice. Cathy focuses on every component of their skating and accomplishes more in a 20 minute lesson than other programs do in an hour."
- Eileen Castagna, Parent, CAHA President 2001-2003

"Cathy created an individualized program for Soren to improve his skating techniques in the areas that would benefit his game most. Cathy's coaching has helped him to significantly improve his game and advance early. She has been a big part of his success as a hockey player."
* Cathy taught Soren for 9 years. He played in the 18 AA League at 13 years old and at 14 years old, he joined the Jr. Sharks Midget AAA team. Per EHK Showcase in Chicago write up- Soren Jonzzon is one of the country’s elite. Jonzzon distributes the puck well and made those around him better players. He read developing plays very well and positioned himself well. He still had an extra gear . . .
- B. Jonzzon, Parent and 8 year client. (Soren is currently playing for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL)

Cathy has been working with my son, Louie for over 5 years, from San Jose PeeWee AAA to LA Selects Bantam AAA, to Taft prep school and most recently, after working with Cathy this summer, Louie left to play Juniors with the Boston Bandits in the EJHL. Louie loves working with Cathy and as he has gotten older, he has realized more and more that skating is the most important skill for him as a hockey player. The refrain of all of his coaches has been simply stated "If you can skate, the skills will follow." Cathy has an eagle eye as to where Louie is every time he comes home in terms of his physical development and his skating. She is supportive, yet pushes him to to go beyond his perceived limits. She knows what the skating expectations are at every level and she makes sure when he leaves home for a new level and challenge, he's confident and ready in his skates. In Louie's words, "Cathy is the constant. No matter where I go, Cathy makes sure I'm skating at or beyond the level I'm playing."
- Carla Sorey-Reed (client since 2005)

 

What the Adult Players Say...

“Cathy, you and Sean have really made a difference in the last 6 months working on my hockey skills before the national team try-outs. In those 6 months, I improved significantly in my skating and hockey skills and I'm glad to say that not only did I make the Malaysian National Team, but I'm playing in a higher line and contributing much more to the team than I did previously. Looking back, I can see so many things that you and Sean did that really helped: The way you broke down skating into component skills that could be mastered, the constant feedback, the encouragement, even the feedback about selecting the right skates for me. The Malaysian National Team will be heading to Kazakhstan for the Asian Winter Games later this month which comes along once every four years. Hockey in Asia is definitely a growing sport with new NHL-sized and Olympic-sized rinks opening up in various countries. The IIHF introduced the annual Challenge Cup of Asia just a few years ago and Malaysia has been participating every year, winning a silver one year and a bronze in another. I can’t thank you two enough.”
- Aris Samad-Yahaya

"By investing in your skating, it frees you up to get into the play, anticipate moves and react to your opponents. Great power skating techniques offered by Cathy Andrade allow you then to focus on your stick handling and shooting. Cathy has a keen eye for detail, methodically breaks down potential issues, and communicates in a way that allows you to execute and build great power skating techniques. Cathy offers some of the best ability I have experienced.”
- Joe Nemeth Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, Adobe Systems Inc.