Hockey Player Development

[jancze5]

My main thing is to just listen to my boys. What do they want to do..and help provide them with/without the oppurtunity. One of my kids wanted to quit a summer AAA program simply because he was drulling on the 3rd line, at first I was like, whatever you want to do...then after some retrospect, we decided he needed to feel what it was like to not be the man and to just play and do what the team needs you to do..life lesson and growth. He enjoyed going to finals at prospects. My younger son 2 seasons ago just wanted to play house league and not have any push..so whatever he wanted, it actually was one of his/our favorite seasons..he played on 2 teams, an older team as a goalie and a younger team as a skater...loved it. The kids on the older team were like, we have a freaking knee bender in net, but when they went to the season finals at the end of the year, they loved him!! It all works itself out and he had a blast. Bottom line, let the kids have fun and if they are, then there's nothing to worry about....and no pushing to do or any of that.

[breakout]

Just when I was feeling good about myself..................I get hit from behind by the neut.

I knew you wouldn't disappoint

A 2 and 10 feels just sooooo good once and a while!

The true Neutron surfaces

[breakout]

I don't know if this has been up before but watch the stickhandling preview video it's unbelievable.
If this is old news or been posted before I apologize in advance.
http://www.skinnerhockey.com/

That is a great website to share

[breakout]

Anyone have the Terry Cullen stick handling drills? Those would be good to share.

[greybeard58]

This is an oldie and works best on a gravel driveway. Start with one tennis ball, start by walking and stickhandeling, then jog and finally a full sprint. When you get one down start over with 2, then 3 or more. If you can stickhandle and control 3 tennis balls then find a pair of glasses with the bottom half of the lenses blocked out and start with one again and keep going. This will work on asphalt and concrete but if there is a gravel roadhandy it really makes this a challenge improves control, touch and condidtioning.

[waylon]

Breakout,
Why are we concerned about skill deelopment,if kids don't have a chance to make it to the big league,we might as well just play all games,no practice,oh ya Jake Hendrickson played for the '89 Raptors for Steve Jones
________
Friend advice forum

[spin-o-rama]

Breakout,
Why are we concerned about skill deelopment,if kids don't have a chance to make it to the big league,we might as well just play all games,no practice,oh ya Jake Hendrickson played for the '89 Raptors for Steve Jones

I think we are missing the original point of this thread. It was to give inexpensive/free training ideas so people don't have to go to the expensive Minnesota Made clinics. Then the originator continued by plugging Bjugstad shooting school ($40+/hour) and Impact Hockey (which is so cheap that to participate at one of their rinks you only need to pay private school tuition). I don't see much of a difference in the programs cost except Minnesota Made may be cheaper at times.

Although Impact Hockey was hyped as a producer of Advanced 15,16,17, college players, Minnesota Made was spurned. "vast majority of players that will play D1 hockey and go pro from the state of Minnesota will not play on Bernie's Machine teams." This logic is like saying "The vast majority of NHL players have not been in Cliff Clavin's kitchen and is thereby a key to making it to the big time."

There is very valuable advice in this thread, but to attack excellent training methods as of little value is unwarranted. There are diverse paths that lead to successful hockey careers - find yours and don't forget to enjoy the ride.

[breakout]

Way to step up with that quality fourth post spin-o-ramer. Your slective reading and interpretation of what is being offered is excellent

Maybe in another 6,800 or so views you can add some more of your hockey intellect.

[breakout]

Breakout,
Why are we concerned about skill deelopment,if kids don't have a chance to make it to the big league,we might as well just play all games,no practice,oh ya Jake Hendrickson played for the '89 Raptors for Steve Jones

You and spin-o-rama having a liquid lunch today?

Did you read, "your only a work ethic away from your dreams" quote? You are obviously missing the point to this thread.

By the way, did the 89 Raptors play all over Canada and practice 3 times a week? Or, did they have some practice and play in some select AAA tournaments like the Meltdown, etc.?

Folks, again Bernie does a great job with hockey skills, etc. Not everyone can afford it and a lot of people can't afford all of the associated expenses (travel, etc.). The purpose of the thread is to inform people of alternatives.

Maybe you have some ideas? You seem to have hockey knowledge.

[Can't Never Tried]

Breakout,
Why are we concerned about skill deelopment,if kids don't have a chance to make it to the big league,we might as well just play all games,no practice,oh ya Jake Hendrickson played for the '89 Raptors for Steve Jones

You and spin-o-rama having a liquid lunch today?

Did you read, "your only a work ethic away from your dreams" quote? You are obviously missing the point to this thread.

By the way, did the 89 Raptors play all over Canada and practice 3 times a week? Or, did they have some practice and play in some select AAA tournaments like the Meltdown, etc.?

Folks, again Bernie does a great job with hockey skills, etc. Not everyone can afford it and a lot of people can't afford all of the associated expenses (travel, etc.). The purpose of the thread is to inform people of alternatives.

Maybe you have some ideas? You seem to have hockey knowledge.

Breakout your on the right track... it's like my last post in the in the "in house mite program" thread...many just don't get it!
The same mistakes will be made over and over again...
A stick, a puck, a driveway, and a hill, and an imagination is all you need in the summer to develop skills, and build strength at almost no cost, there is plenty of very cheap open hockey to practice newly learned skills while having fun playing pick up with your buddies and keeping your ice legs.

[spin-o-rama]

spin-o-ramer, You're excellent

How's that for selective reading?

Perhaps the stuff I pointed out was just some of your "tongue in cheek" material? It is good to know you weren't serious.

I think the following is good advice. However, please remember that this is post #5 and post count is the best indicator of quality.(tic back at you!)

A successful hockey career does not necessarily mean D1 or higher. The more you enjoy the ride the sooner you will get there.

Another point- don't forget to take time off to prevent burnout. Hockey free vacations are great, don't even talk about hockey. Your kid will come back reenergized and you with better perspective. 2 weeks, a summer, a year (Kyle Okposo) - figure out what is best for you.

[breakout]

Breakout,
Why are we concerned about skill deelopment,if kids don't have a chance to make it to the big league,we might as well just play all games,no practice,oh ya Jake Hendrickson played for the '89 Raptors for Steve Jones

You and spin-o-rama having a liquid lunch today?

Did you read, "your only a work ethic away from your dreams" quote? You are obviously missing the point to this thread.

By the way, did the 89 Raptors play all over Canada and practice 3 times a week? Or, did they have some practice and play in some select AAA tournaments like the Meltdown, etc.?

Folks, again Bernie does a great job with hockey skills, etc. Not everyone can afford it and a lot of people can't afford all of the associated expenses (travel, etc.). The purpose of the thread is to inform people of alternatives.

Maybe you have some ideas? You seem to have hockey knowledge.

Breakout your on the right track... it's like my last post in the in the "in house mite program" thread...many just don't get it!
The same mistakes will be made over and over again...
A stick, a puck, a driveway, and a hill, and an imagination is all you need in the summer to develop skills, and build strength at almost no cost, there is plenty of very cheap open hockey to practice newly learned skills while having fun playing pick up with your buddies and keeping your ice legs.

I agree with you. If people want to spend money on expensive on-going training, that's their prerogative. Those kids that go to those camps will get better. I am convinced of that. However, it's expensive and I have talked to parents who barely afford what they are paying out. But, they are compelled to keep their kids in. Hockey parents, especially first time parents need information.

There are other ways of achieving the same results without spending as much money plain and simple.

Bring development training information to the kids. Help them set goals. Build a back yard rink. If they are young, call their friends over to play at the backyard rink. Make that a weekly ritual. Maybe it's the game of the week. Maybe it's the games of the week.

If you don't want to build a backyard rink or don't have the room, get the kids to the park (wait for a negative global warming comment........it's coming) regularily. Again, if they are young consider being the organizer. Send out emails to your kids hockey parents in advance, make phone calls. It only takes a few minutes. When they get older, you just drop them off at the park.

[breakout]

I stole this from Chanman from the In-House Mite program debate.

Chanman, forgive me for stealing what you borrowed

Wayne Gretzky Biography
Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada on January 26, 1961. His parents Walter and Phyllis Gretzky. Wayne has three brothers: Keith, Glen and Brent and one sister, Kim. Wayne began skating at the age of 2, the Nith River, below his grandparents farm.
Wayne grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada, as many Canadian kids do, and otherwise playing hockey at every possible moment. The backyard rink at their Varadi Ave. home was to become the moulding ground for a hockey superstar.

[breakout]

Another thought worth exploring. Kids from the southern states have been appearing at Elite levels. Recently, there have been some that have been drafted. Many of those players have played or play in-line.

For a kid that wants to play hockey all year around, yet get some cross training In-line hockey maybe something to look at.

In-line is a game that is played a lot like down at the park/open hockey. It's great for skill development. Haven't checked the prices. It may be worth looking at.

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp ... linehockey

[breakout]

How about dropping your kid off at the park on the weekends? Obviously, the kid needs to be a certain age to be dropped off and left.

When the kids are younger, consider emailing and calling his buddies parents and let them know that your kid will be skating at the park. Pool some money and buy pizza for the kids. We have done this many times. The kids get a great workout and stay away from the video games and computers.

Skating with your buddies without structure is a great way for kids to gain skill and creativity.

Just a thought to consider.

[breakout]

Got a backyard rink?

If you are a nut like me (o.k., I admit it), you put hundreds of hours into your backyard rink each winter. If you have a backyard rink, you have probably invited or had your kid(s) invite his/their buddies over to play unstructured hockey. Get the fire pit going and make it an event.

Unstructured hockey is a great way for kids to try things they might not try in a game. They can do that without the risk of being yelled at by a coach.