Participants in the USA Hockey Coaches Symposium test their skills Friday afternoon in the Olympic Speedskating Oval in Lake Placid. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

LAKE PLACID — The four-day USA Hockey Coaches Symposium began here Thursday and continues through Sunday.

The biennial event is the largest of its kind in the United States, connecting youth hockey coaches, college coaches and professional coaches from throughout North America. The symposium is for aspiring coaches seeking to attain their Level-5 Certification, the highest level of coaching certification within USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program.

Thursday’s speakers included members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team while Friday was highlighted by Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill and Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. Big names such as Jon Cooper, Mike Richter, John Vanbiesbrouck, Bill Beaney and Dan Muse are on the schedule for Saturday and Sunday.