Don MacAdam Award in Hockey at the University of New Brunswick

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Don MacAdam

There are a few things in life that are special beyond the normal use of the word. This scholarship is in this ‘special’ category for me.

2011 was the first year for the award and a young defenseman  from Edmonton, Alberta, Bretton Stamler, was the winner. I was at the first game Bretton played for UNB and my thought then watching him play was that he was going to be special. I am happy to say that is exactly what Bretton has become to the program.

Here is part of the award description…The successful recipient must possess a high level of physical fitness, have an outstanding work ethic, be community-minded and a team leader on and off the ice. The recipient must have demonstrated successful academic performance (minimum 2.5 scholarship grade point average)…awarded on the recommendation of the Athletic Director in consultation with the UNB hockey coach.

Donor: Alumni of the 1983-84 UNB men’s hockey team.

The 1983-84 UNB players fall into that same ‘special’ category for me. I have never coached a finer group of players who are even better people.

Below is 2011-12 winner Bretton Stamler.

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Prospects Camp 2012 – Featuring Power Edge Pro Training

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Don MacAdam

It’s that time of the year again! Sure it’s the holiday season, but it’s also time to enroll your budding hockey star in Hockey Sensei’s annual Prospects Camp featuring the Power Edge Pro Ultimate On-Ice Training System and the assistance of some the best and brightest hockey professionals. The camp is from August 6th – August 10th at Gould’s Arena in Newfoundland.  Download a PDF of the above flyer for additional information. Space is limited, so enroll today.

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The PowerEdgePro Training System

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Don MacAdam

After two weeks and four camps with elite level players, I have firsthand experience with the PowerEdgePro Training system—it works big time!

Joe Quinn, the inventor of Power Edge, spent time at all camps and I worked directly with him as we trained players. The camps were on Prince Edward Island and in St. John’s, Newfoundland with players from all over Atlantic Canada.

Players from this area are known to be hard workers, The Power Edge Pro pushed them physically every day—and they met the challenge. Part of the reason was the challenge of the on ice training; part was the desire to get better. And a big part was the fact that it was fun for the players.

Check the system out at www.poweredgepro.com

This really is the ‘big next thing’ and it works—big time!

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Power Edge Pro–the next big ‘something’?

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Don MacAdam

We are always looking for that new ‘something’ that will make a difference in our training and preparation. It often can be finding a trainer or workout group that just fits for you and you are able to reach higher levels every day with your workouts.

I am running a number of camps for elite players this summer and was also looking for a special feature to add that would really benefit the players attending. And, I wanted it to be added value to the camp along with something players could take away to make a permanent and positive difference in their play.

Power Edge Pro is basically power skating with a puck. We all know the benefits gained from doing power skating drills—now add a puck every time. There is an apparatus involved that can be used for on ice or off ice drills.

Take a look at www.poweredgepro.com and get a feel for what may be the next great innovation in skating.

I will be working directly with Power Edge Pro inventor Joe Quinn this summer and will report back.

If you are attending Our Next Level Camp at the Pownal Arena on PEI from July 30 thru August 3rd, or the Hockey Sensei Elite Camps at Goulds  Arena  near St. John’s NL from August 6 thru 10th, you will get instruction from Joe Quinn personally.

Can’t wait to see Power Edge Pro in action and see if it is the next ‘something’.

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2011 Newfoundland and Labrador Defenseman Camp

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Don MacAdam


Goulds Arena,

August 11-14, 2011

This is the chance to become the defenseman who can be a ‘difference maker’ for your team. Understand how you can think and play like a top defenseman.

Learn about skills specific to defenseem; positioning, net front protection, situational tactical skills on the defensive side of the puck. Offensively, gain confidence in positional play, puck possession, passing, and shooting skills.

Special attention will be focused on 1v1 play and how to ‘read’ plays on both sides of the puck and how to protect yourself physically while playing at a highly effective level.

There will be peewee, bantam, and midget groups with limited enrollment in all groups, and space for goalies.
Groups are open to male and female players. Check this link for more details.

Here is the link to the 2011 camp in St. John’s Newfoundland;

For viewing: http://hockeysensei.com/flyers/DefenseCampHockeySenseiFlyerSM.pdf
For print:http://hockeysensei.com/flyers/DefenseCampHockeySenseiFlyer.pdf

Contact me at elitecamp@hockeysensei.com to register.

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Helping the 2011 Season Fall Into Place…Now—Part 2 of 2

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Don MacAdam

 

You have been out there gathering all kinds of information with the goal of finding the best development situation to be in for the 2011 season. Goals have been set, information has been gathered, and an action plan has been implemented.

A few helpful hints…

1. Write out your goal(s) and be very clear in your mind what you want.

2. Start a file on your computer and/or hard copy to keep all information in the same place.

3. Beware of ‘opportunities’ that come with promises, guarantees, and a price tag. (Some are no more than commercial ventures and fund raisers for people and groups).

4. Evaluate any need for additional exposure. (If you have played on a team with a competitive schedule against top teams, and in situations that have been heavily scouted by those at the level you aspire to, then there very likely isn’t any need for you to attend additional events. Time would be better spent training off ice than going to showcase events).

5. This is not the time to look for deals on development programs. (Find out who runs the best development programs in your area and sign up. The most expensive or biggest name doesn’t guarantee the best—make your decision based on quality).

There can be a tendency to over analyze the situation and not want to commit. And, sometimes we hope something better will come along. There will come a time when decisions have to be made. Decide on your choice based on your goals and information gathered. Things will work out just fine.

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Helping the 2011 Season Fall Into Place…Now—Part 1 of 2

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Don MacAdam

Your 2010 season is either over or there may be playoff and tournament games ahead before the equipment is put away for the year. In the back of your mind you have been wondering where you will land next season Parent and Player Strategies for the 2011 Season and Beyond—Part 1 of 2

Looking for the best development situation is important.  Here are questions that need to be addressed as you look forward. I have written this to parents, but the same questions need to be asked, and answered, by the player. Parents should ask…

Questions to ask team representatives who inquire about your son…

1. What role do you project him in next season and over his career with you? (Need to be compatible with the type of player you are).

2. What will be his competition for this role? (Returning players, drafts, trades, etc.)

3. What are the education opportunities with your organization? (Get a read on how serious a team is about the importance of education).

4. What costs are covered by the team; what costs will be our responsibility? (Don’t be shy about this area. This needs to be addressed and now is a good time).

5. Can you send us your information in an email? (This should provide clarity and eliminate having to remember who said what).

6. Do you have a business card? (There are impostors out there).

7. Are you the contact person if we have additional questions? (There likely will be follow up questions. You need to deal with decision makers and not go down the road with a team rep not in a position to back up comments or promises).

Questions you need to ask yourself…

1. What are our goals here; for education–for hockey–for life? (This step is THE starting point. You have to know where you are going).

2. Am I prepared to put an action plan in place to meet these goals? (Every action going forward needs to align with your set goals).

3. Where will we have the best development environment? (Development is the focus).

You will need to do homework in a number of areas, based on the answers received to your questions. Go to sources you respect and cross reference where possible. Getting accurate information is important.  This will go a long way to creating the best opportunity for the 2011 season.

3. Have a ‘worst case scenario’ in place. (This may be as basic as returning to your present team., as long as this is an acceptable development situation)

4. Be prepared to commit to a team—and be prepared to honor your commitment. (After all questions have been answered and all the home work has been done on opportunities, you will have to make a decision).

5. Be sure to have fun and enjoy the process. The universe will unfold in due course.

Now it is time to put the action plan in place and spend the off season getting ready for a successful 2011 season.

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Canadian University Hockey Champoinships-An Example of Excellence

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Don MacAdam

Recently I spent the weekend  in Fredericton, New Brunswick attending the national championship for Canadian university hockey (CIS). Most players at this level have major junior and Canadian tier II hockey in their backgrounds  prior to enrolling in university to continue their education and hockey careers. They are full time students as they train and compete.

Participating were eventual  CIS finalists McGill University Redmen and the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, St Francis Xavier University X-Men, University of Alberta, University of Western Ontario Mustangs, Alberta Golden Bears, and the University of Calgary Dinos. All were great teams and all performed to a level that would make their followers proud.

There was a daily buzz in the Aitken Centre as each participant played hard every shift. Every game was a display of high tempo, passionate hockey. Calgary and Alberta had solid defensive teams, X knew how to bring a physical game, and Western had speed. Finalist McGill had a level of skill and speed second only to UNB.

Then there was UNB. The last two period of Saturday’s semi -final and Sunday’s final was the best university level hockey I have ever seen. Coach Gardiner MacDougall has done a world class job of bringing the UNB program to the top of university hockey—anywhere.

Congratulations to UNB, the City of Fredericton, and all participants for providing us with a special hockey experience. A special thank you to Coach MacDougall, his staff and his players for showing the hockey world a wonderful example of excellence.

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Winning a Big Game

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Don MacAdam

I had a special coaching experience last week.

Over two weeks ago I took over as head coach of a junior team. There were 8 games left in the regular season and the team was in last place in their division. That was the bad news. The good news was the GM had put together a talented team-something he has done consistently over his career in junior hockey.

It came down to winning the final game of the season, on the road, and against the team we needed to beat out for the final playoff stop.

The deal was simple. Win and make the playoffs—lose and the season was over.

What needed to happen? Our best players had to be our best players, we had to at least match the effort of the other team, every player had to do their part, and we had to have fun.

What actually happened? All of the above; top line scored three goals, we worked hard all game, and every player tried to fulfill their individual roles. Winning the game was a lot of fun.

And did I mention that their goaltender was great—and our guy was a little bit better!

Got to go. First playoff game tonight.

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Canada Winter Games 2011 Hockey

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Don MacAdam

I have spent the last week watching as many hockey games as possible here in Halifax and Dartmouth. The Canada Winter Games 2011 are on and the competition has been excellent.

The score doesn’t seem to matter to these under 16 athletes. The players keep playing hard. Just because a team might be down three to four goals doesn’t mean they will call it a night. Stick around… Anything can, and often does, happen.

Players have brought energy, speed, and skill every shift.

Parents have brought a mixture of pride, nervousness, and emotional support for their teams.

Referees and game officials have been up to the task.

Halifax and Dartmouth areas have been fabulous hosts to all.

This has been great exposure for young athletes from across the country, exciting competition, and a special experience that will become a life memory.

Glad I had the chance to experience the 2011 version.

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