Etienne Myette-Cote | Strength & Conditioning Coach
Throughout a hockey season, many only get to see and understand the on-ice performance a team delivers.
However, over the course of roughly eight months, countless hours are dedicated behind the scenes to minimizing injury risk and maintaining the physical attributes necessary to meet performance expectations throughout the season.
To achieve this, organizations such as the Charlottetown Islanders have strength and conditioning coaches. This is where Etienne Myette-Cote comes in.
“I’m responsible for various aspects, including physical testing, which helps the coaching staff monitor player progress during and between seasons,” said Myette-Cote. “Most of my work involves planning and conducting off-ice training sessions, along with some on-ice conditioning workouts. Each week, I run pre-game workouts for healthy scratches to ensure they stay fit and don’t fall behind due to missed games. I also oversee game-day warm-ups and cooldowns, and lead weekly gym sessions at Andrews focusing on mobility, strength, power, and speed.”
According to Myette-Cote, a critical task for any strength and conditioning coach in the QMJHL is to work with the coaching staff to manage the training load during the season.
“It’s a long season and when you consider they have school on top of their games and bus travels, it is easy to understand how excessive fatigue can be induced,” said Myette-Cote. “You only improve as much as you recover, it can seem simple but if we add workouts and practices without planning proper recovery, reduced performance will be the most likely outcome.”
Before arriving in Charlottetown, Myette-Cote earned a B.Sc. in kinesiology, followed by a Master’s and PhD in exercise physiology. He also obtained two certifications: one as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and another as a High-Performance Exercise Specialist from the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.
His career journey began in 2006 in Sherbrooke, after which he moved to Edmonton and then Kelowna.
“I lived in Western Canada for six years while completing my PhD. During that time, I worked with different sports teams at the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia. Between 2013 and 2018, I also had the opportunity to conduct physical fitness testing with the Edmonton Oilers” said Myette-Cote.
Myette-Cote moved to Prince Edward Island after accepting a position as a Kinesiology professor at the University of Prince Edward Island.
“After moving to Charlottetown, a friend mentioned that there was a team in the QMJHL. Wherever I lived, I’ve always wanted to work with the highest-level team possible, so I reached out to offer my services.”
In 2021, Myette-Cote eventually secured a position with the Islanders as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and has gradually taken on a lead role within the organization.
He noted that seeing the athletes he works with put in the effort and focus on a goal makes his role mean so much more to him.
“Working with these young men is incredibly rewarding. They approach everything they do with great dedication, which makes my role much more meaningful. Despite their youth, I am always impressed by their ability to manage multiple tasks both on and off the ice while continuing their education.”
In addition to his work with the Islanders, Myette-Cote teaches and runs a research program in metabolism, exercise, and sports nutrition at UPEI.
“Everything I learn through teaching and research helps me stay current with the latest science in my field, which I can then apply with the Islanders. Conversely, I enjoy providing my students at UPEI with real-world examples of how I apply the theoretical concepts we cover in class to the team’s daily training and performance.”
During the offseason, Myette-Cote serves as the head strength and conditioning coach at Andrews Growth Program, where he oversees off-ice training for several groups of players, including the Charlottetown Islanders who remain on the Island.
You can see the work Myette-Cote and the Islanders have done come to fruition this Friday when the Islanders host Chicoutimi at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Eastlink Centre Box Office weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as by phone at 902-629-6625 and online.
Written by Taylor Stewart, Director of Corporate Sales for the Charlottetown Islanders.