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.

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!

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 3^rd, or the Hockey Sensei Elite Camps at Goulds  Arena  near St. John’s NL from August 6 thru 10^th, 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’.

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.

Ferraro also said something to the effect that “The net has been in the same place for over 200 years” and he was marveling on how an entire team could be so inept at getting the puck on the net.

Coaches always stress shooting the puck—and hitting the net. Starting with warming up your goalies at the beginning of a practice, there is little value in shots that miss the net. Coaches do things like making players do pushups or do extra skating when players miss the net during drills. This sometimes helps.

Consistently hitting the net is more of a mental thing than a reflection of physical ability. Having the mindset to get the puck on the net is where a player needs to be. Coaches can help with consistently demanding this in practices. Players who like to score make it a habit to get the puck on the net consistently. Top power plays try to get the puck to the net every time they have the man advantage.

“A shot on goal is never a bad thing.” We all heard that line before.

Oh, by the way, the Leafs continued to miss the net in the third period. They lost 4-1.

The first step for the player—make the decision to develop your talent rather than take it for granted. Sound like a simple decision? It may be for some. Look around your team and see how many players are actually doing things that will make their game better. Which players are getting on the ice early or staying on after practice to work on skills or conditioning? Who is going to the gym for a workout when the team has a day off?

Here is a simple formula for a player to follow; spend ten minutes each day making an individual strength stronger and making a weakness a non-factor is your overall game. If you have a great shot, then make it more accurate. If you need to work on pivots to the left, then devote time at end of practice on pivot technique.

Don’t let excuses stop you from getting better. There is enough time each day. There is no need for special equipment to get better. There is nobody who can put the effort in your game but you. Don’t let excuses hinder your development.

As each player gets just a little bit better, it would be safe to say the team gets a little bit better. Work on your individual skills and everyone benefits. Go team!

The Simplest Detail is a December 1, 2009 post by Mike Tully on his site www.totalgameplan.com He gives us a great example for his point that ‘there are no little things’ if you want to get the job done.

Anyone who thinks that success is complicated should look at the Grey Cup final — the championship of the Canadian Football League.

Montreal won because Saskatchewan received a penalty for having 13 men on the field. Damon Duval missed a field goal that would have won the game, but got a second chance because of the penalty. Let that sink in for a moment: After weeks of training camp, a long season, and a bruising game, Saskatchewan lost a title because it could not put the right number of players on the field.

“It was a lack of communication … but it should have been recognized,” coach Ken Miller said about the critical penalty. “The disappointment of this loss is going to affect us as long as we’re on this planet. Total 100 percent disappointment.”

Saskatchewan’s pain can become your wisdom. No detail is too small. And never let yourself think that success is something magical or complicated. It’s not. As North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance is constantly preaching, it’s about doing things right every time.

Remember Thomas Keller, the world-class chef who said that no one step in cooking is particularly difficult?

All Saskatchewan had to do was count the number of players on the field. That doesn’t sound particularly difficult. But it didn’t get done. And the pain will linger a lifetime.

The StarPhoenix newspaper reported it this way:

“It’s not a moment thing; it’s a lifetime thing,” said Saskatchewan special-teams coach Kavis Reed, insisting that he, and not the unnamed extra player, should take the blame. “This is something I’ve got to live with for the rest of my life, and it’s something we have to live with for the rest of our lives. A mistake was made that essentially cost us the Grey Cup championship. I’ve got to shoulder that, I’ve got to live with that, I’ve got to replay that for the rest of my life.”

Never let that happen to you. There are no little things.

Most coaches will admire, and likely have feet the pain of the Saskatchewan special-teams coach. Getting things right every time may seem like an impossible task, but it should be a goal for all coaches and players.

I had the pleasure of coaching Graeme in the AHL. He was known as a team player and a heart and soul type; he was not known for his skating. Graeme has changed that.

He is the skating coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was in the same capacity with the San Jose Sharks. Graeme also played in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, and Ottawa Senators.

We had Graeme, and his chief instructor Adam Nicholas, take over a team practice a couple of weeks ago. They demonstrated unique skating techniques that Graeme has perfected and uses with his NHL players.

It was a great session. Graeme and Adam had the full attention of our Quebec major junior players as they were worked through drills teaching different game specific skating techniques.

The session had a valuable motivational component as well. Graeme explained how he personally grew as a player and how these techniques he was presenting have helped others.

Our players were left with practical drills to take away from the session that they have enthusiastically incorporated into our daily practice sessions.

We are definitely having Graeme and Adam back to work with our players. We highly endorse Graeme and encourage you to do something special for yourself, or your team, and have Graeme become a part of what you do.

Go to www.thestridedoctor.com and check out the different camps that Graeme has available. This might be just the thing for you or your team. Here is more contact information:

Graeme Townsend- graeme@thestridedoctor.com or call 978.360.4244

Joe Hearn- joe@thestridedoctor.com or call 207.577.0622

Here is an excerpt from The Hockey Conditioning Handbook chapter on the in-season. Your focus now is on maintenance.

In-Season Training Emphasis:

1)      Aerobic maintenance

2)      Flexibility

3)      Explosive Energy maintenance

Training in-season should be focused on maintenance sessions. This is assuming you have reached the necessary fitness levels prior to the start of the season. If not, you may find there are not enough practice hours in a day or week to do everything that needs to be done. Concentrate on aerobics, flexibility, and explosive energy, regardless of the fitness levels. The game cannot be played well without these.

Following are some suggested programs for in-season conditioning maintenance.
Sample In-Season Training Programs

Off-Ice
Aerobics is still the foundation for training. A good practice will usually have an aerobic drill package built in. Cycling and running are two common ways to do aerobic work off ice. Skiing, both water and snow, is excellent for hockey players because it includes upper body work.
Flexibility should be done daily with emphasis on proper warm up/cool down stretching before and after practices and games. Add at least one weekly flexibility training session.
Explosive energy can be done as outlined in the pre-season section. You can also incorporate stair sprints (2 steps at a time), or stair hops (up and down) using one leg only for each 5-10 second work bout.
Maintenance of strength/endurance and high energy can be accomplished by exercising at least the level attained in the pre-season. If a player’s ability to sustain high energy is still weak, players will need to do additional training. Continue to do high energy training 1-2 times per week, depending on game schedule. High energy work should not be done the day prior to a game. Try to do at least one of the two sessions on the ice.

On-Ice
All aspects of conditioning should be done at least to the level attained in pre-season work using programs and drills as outlined in the pre-season section. To save training time, or for variety in training, exercise circuits can be designed to meet all components of conditioning, except flexibility.

Flexibility should be done separately before and after workouts. A complete on ice training circuit is presented below.

Click on the Store tab above to read more about The Hockey Conditioning Handbook.

With the puck dropping on a new NHL season this Saturday, TSN.ca presents ’30 Teams In 30 Days,’ a quick glimpse at each NHL club as the 2008-09 campaign approaches. Get the lowdown on every lineup, storylines to follow and Scott Cullen’s fantasy analysis. The focus is now on Canada’s six NHL teams, and it continues today with the Montreal Canadiens.

Ever since their inception into professional hockey 99 years ago, there has always been high expectations for the Canadiens…

Now take those expectations and multiply it by 10 this year. With hockey’s most storied franchise set to play its 100th season and celebrate its centennial in 2009, there is no better way to mark the festivities than raising banner No. 25 next October.

Is that asking for too much? Absolutely not.

Heading into 2007-08, the Canadiens – who were expected to be years away from contending – proved everyone wrong by finishing the regular season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. And while the team went through a roller-coaster playoff run that ended with a second-round exit at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, they are expected to challenge for the Cup with one of the league’s youngest and most talented lineups.

The Drive For 25 is alive.

General Manager: Bob Gainey (5th season)
Head Coach: Guy Carbonneau (3rd season)
2007-08 Record: 47-25-10 (1st in Conference)
Points Leader: Alex Kovalev – 84
Goals Leader: Alex Kovalev – 35
Assists Leader: Mark Streit – 49
PIM Leader: Tom Kostopoulos – 113
Plus/Minus Leader: Alex Kovalev – 18
PP Goals Leader: Alex Kovalev – 17
SH Goals Leader: Tom Kostopoulos – 3

What they did: Going into the offseason, Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey wanted to address two improvements for his lineup – a tough and physical presence to protect his skilled players and a big centre with a right-handed shot. The first need was quickly addressed with Georges Laraque, who signed a three-year contract with his hometown team …

What to watch for: The Canadiens were among the league’s fastest and most skilled offensive teams last season and should only get better with the addition of Tanguay. The Quebec native, who struggled in a defensive role under Mike Keenan, has a better opportunity to showcase his playmaking skills alongside captain Saku Koivu. Last season, Alex Kovalev stood above everyone as Montreal’s most valuable player, leading the team in scoring and being an on-ice mentor for his teammates. However, the 35-year-old has been an enigma for most of his career, putting in great performances one year and following it up with lackluster efforts the next. So which Kovalev will we see this season? …

Gainey took a big gamble at last year’s trade deadline when he sent veteran goaltender Cristobal Huet to Washington and annointed 20-year-old Carey Price as the new No. 1. And Price didn’t disappoint, finishing the regular season with a 24-12-3 record and a .920 save percentage. While the league’s top young netminder struggled in the postseason, he’s back in better shape and appears ready to handle the rigors of a full NHL campaign. The Habs also have a solid youngster in Jaroslav Halak, who was arguably the AHL’s top goalie before being called up as a full-time backup last March. Halak should continue to push Price for playing time, but the addition of Marc Denis could make the 23-year-old Slovakian expendable at some point this season.

Parting Shot: This season may be Montreal’s best chance to make a run for a championship, only because there could be considerable changes to the lineup next summer. Kovalev, Tanguay, Lang, Komisarek and captain Saku Koivu will all be eligible to test the open market, while Higgins, Plekanec and Guillaume Latendresse will become restricted free agents. Depending on this year’s performance and what the salary cap looks like next July, next year’s team could look quite different with one or two key players out of the equation. But that doesn’t mean Gainey isn’t prepared. In five years as general manager, the former Habs great has done something that hasn’t been seen in Montreal since the days of Sam Pollock and Frank Selke – assemble a legitimate Cup contender while developing a rich pool of young players waiting in the wings.