Minnesota is known as the ‘State of Hockey’ for good reason. This state has produced countless NHL players and is home to numerous Division 1 college hockey programs. But despite the abundance of talent that the state has produced, there is one position that has been less represented than the others: goaltending. That’s what makes […]
New York Islanders All-Star Brock Nelson was this season’s Minnesota’s top NHL scorer Nelson, a 2010 Mr. Hockey finalist representing Warroad had a career year scoring 36 goals and 39 assists for 75 points. He is one of two Minnesotans to finish in the NHL’s top 50 scorers this season. The other player in the top […]
A single professional women’s hockey league could finally be on the horizon in North America. After years of division between two leagues, it looks as if one league will soon be a reality. The Professional Hockey Federation (PHF) and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association (PWHPA) announced a merger Friday, June 30. The intent is […]
Efficient high-end speed is highly trainable. Every year, some players dominate in the regular season, but not in the playoffs when the pace is faster. The difference is efficient high-end speed, and it’s highly trainable. 1. Longer skating strides = wider strides. At high speeds, you cannot lengthen your stride straight backward because your feet would […]
We’d be foolish to think that ADM advice about practices dedicated to skills is THE ANSWER to developing skillful hockey. It’s only a small part of the project. If we want the next generation of young hockey players to play a more skillful, safer game, adults (coaches, parents, and referees) will have to make major […]
So would Isaac Newton, because he understood physics It’s not the size of the dog in the fight. It’s the size of the FIGHT in the dog. Let’s Play Hockey photo by Mike Thill Let’s look at some facts, not myth: Smaller players are NOT at a disadvantage in hockey except at two times in […]
Hip abduction-rotation-extension (A-R-E) Using the largest muscles in the body (gluteal muscles of the hips), the power for every skating stride (except cornering) begins with hip abduction-rotation-extension (A-R-E). In simpler terms, this means thrusting to the side while rotating toward the next stride, and finally extending almost straight back as you move past the ice. […]
Creative geniuses who thought outside the box Unlike college and professional football, offensive creativity in hockey comes mainly from players, and each year it is increasingly “coached” out of the game. Avoiding mistakes has become the highest priority, even at the youth level where the need to win eliminates creative trial-and-error. Not only do coaches […]
Training should be integrated, rather than isolated Words cannot define “hockey athleticism” as well as a picture of great athletes in competition. The ability to move your body quickly on the ice requires sprinting, jumping and skating-specific strength exercises integrated into each workout. With no apologies to the on-again, off-again basketball superstars of today, I’d […]
Workouts should focus on speed of hands, speed of feet and speed of mind. For 150 years, North American hockey coaches have NOT met to outline the purpose of dryland training. Instead, it was left to strength coaches, scientists and fitness instructors to tell hockey what to do. On the other hand, in 1947, the […]
