D³ Performance was built around a simple belief: development should never be one-size-fits-all. Every athlete learns differently, competes differently and has their own path forward. Our role is to understand the player, challenge them with purpose and give them the tools to turn development into performance.
D³ carries a much deeper meaning.
The three D’s are a permanent and subtle tribute to Della Diane Deborah Taylor.
Rather than placing her name directly within the brand, D³ allows her legacy to quietly remain at the heart of everything we do. Those who know her story will understand its significance, while D³ stands independently as a strong performance identity for the athletes and families who become part of D³.
The butterfly and pink-and-blue pregnancy and infant loss ribbon incorporated into the D³ mark carry that connection forward. The pink and blue also represent the boys and girls who train within our programs—giving those colours meaning both in the story behind D³ and in everything we hope to build for its future.
D³ is more than a name. It represents how we believe athletes grow. Development starts by building the right skills and understanding, grows through confidence, ownership and purpose, and ultimately becomes the ability to perform when the game demands it.
Build the foundation. Technical skill, movement, hockey IQ and strong habits come together to give athletes the tools they need to understand the game and continue progressing.
Build the mindset. Confidence, ownership and purpose help athletes become more invested in their development, respond to challenges and consistently push themselves forward.
Turn development into performance. Athletes learn to apply their skills, make decisions under pressure, adapt to changing situations and compete with confidence when the game demands it most.
No two athletes develop in exactly the same way. Age, experience, confidence, learning style, strengths and challenges all shape what a player needs at any given point in their development. That’s why we don’t believe in simply putting athletes through drills. We coach the player in front of us.
Drills are tools—not the end goal. We use them to challenge specific skills, habits and decisions, but the coaching happens in how we adapt, communicate and respond to what the athlete needs. The goal is always meaningful progress that transfers beyond the drill itself.
Athletes develop more effectively when they understand what they’re being asked to do and why it matters. We connect skills and concepts to real game situations so players learn to recognize opportunities, make better decisions and become more confident problem-solvers on the ice.
The relationship between athlete and coach matters. Players need to feel challenged, but they also need to know their coach sees them, understands them and is invested in their progress.
At D³, coaching goes beyond correcting technique. We ask questions, explain decisions, encourage athletes to communicate and create an environment where they can make mistakes, learn from them and keep moving forward. That connection builds trust—and trust creates better opportunities for meaningful development.
D³ isn’t built around one type of player or one definition of success. We work with athletes at different ages, stages and levels of the game—meeting them where they are and helping them identify what comes next. Whether that means building stronger fundamentals, developing confidence, preparing for a higher level or learning to perform more consistently, the focus remains the same: purposeful progress.
For developing athletes building the skills, habits and understanding that create a strong foundation. The focus is on learning the game, building confidence and creating positive development habits that can grow with the player.
For athletes ready to push their game further. Training becomes more demanding and game-specific, with greater emphasis on decision-making, execution under pressure, consistency and the ability to adapt as the pace and expectations increase.
For athletes preparing for greater demands, higher levels of competition or important moments in their season. Development focuses on refining performance, sharpening decision-making and building the confidence and adaptability needed to compete at their best.
Every athlete’s path is different. Whether you’re looking for focused skill development, training, team development or simply the right environment to keep progressing, D³ is built to help athletes move forward with purpose.
Darryl Lloyd brings more than 15 years of professional playing experience and over a decade of player development expertise to the ice. A Pickering, Ontario native, Darryl developed through the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires before earning an NHL Rookie Camp invitation with the Nashville Predators.
His professional career spanned North America and Europe, including time in the AHL, ECHL, and five championship-winning seasons with the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Along the way, he earned recognition as Team MVP, Forward of the Year, and Hardest Working Player—awards that reflect the compete level, leadership, and work ethic that defined his career.
Today, Darryl shares that experience with the next generation of athletes through a development philosophy built around seven core pillars of the game: skating, puck control, passing, shooting, hockey IQ, compete level, and body positioning. His coaching focuses on developing efficient habits, improving decision-making, and helping players understand how skills transfer into real game situations.
Known for his energetic approach and ability to connect with players, Darryl creates a challenging and positive environment where athletes are encouraged to compete, think the game, and build confidence. He believes that long-term success comes from mastering the details—whether that’s puck protection, body positioning, awareness, or making the right play under pressure.
Having experienced every stage of the hockey pathway—from minor hockey and junior hockey to professional hockey and championship teams overseas—Darryl understands what separates talented players from successful players. His goal is to help athletes become not only better hockey players, but more confident, resilient competitors both on and off the ice.
Fun Fact: Darryl’s professional career took him across two continents and multiple leagues, where he captured five championships and built a reputation as one of the hardest-working players on every team he played for.