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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The newsletter is about the business side of sports and there are all kinds interesting and valuable news items.

Take a look at some promotions highlighted…

Promotions We Like

Special content courtesy of Vertix, providing cutting-edge ticketing tools.

The Colorado Mammoth (NLL) have launched the Kroenke Sports Charities Tickets from the Heart community relations initiative. The program provides fans with the opportunity to purchase discounted Mammoth tickets that will be donated to local schools and charitable organizations. “Tickets from the Heart is a program that will give underserved children and families the opportunity to attend a Colorado Mammoth game,” said Deb Dowling, vice president of Kroenke Sports Charities. “This may be the first time the ticket recipients have ever been able to attend a professional sporting event.” A $20 tax-deductible donation will purchase four Mammoth tickets that will be donated on the buyer’s behalf. The Mammoth will also match each purchase by donating an additional four tickets.

The Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League) have announced one of the first noteworthy promotions of the 2011 season: Wacky Weenie Wednesday, where everyone attending a Wednesday game will receive free hot dogs.

Practical giveaway item: lunch box for kids to use for school or other activities. The Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) held the Condors Lunch Box Tin Giveaway at their December 26 game. The first 2,000 children 12-years-old or younger received a Condors-themed lunch box tin.

The Calgary Flames (NHL) recently released their official app for iPhone and BlackBerry devices. Developed by Atimi Software, the app includes interactive maps of the Flames’ home venue, Scotiabank Saddledome, that enable fans to pinpoint specific food, beverage, and retail vendors in the arena. So fans can see where the closest concession stand is that sells pizza, for example.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) have a program called Stick Kid which gives a young fan 6-14 years old the chance to be the honorary stick kid for the team during their pre-game skate. The youngster gets to sit on the bench, wear a team helmet and jersey, and hang out with the players as they warm up. The kid and his family also receive four tickets to the game.

The Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) gave students from Kent-Meridian High School a chance to see what it’s like to run the promotional aspects of a sporting event. The students were in charge of the Thunderbirds’ game-night promotions on January 7. Students sang the National Anthem, coordinated the intermission promotions, and created video spots that ran at the arena during the game. Cheerleaders and team mascot from the school were also a part of the game promotions.

The Hudson Valley Renegades (MiLB) are offering a ticket package to help fans get through the winter until baseball season starts. The Renegades Snow Storm Mini Pack includes either a 5- or 10-game ticket package, an extra game ticket for free, a team hat, and a team fleece blanket. Plus, for every two packages a fan purchases, they receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant.