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Why Train with Hockey International

Hockey International Training Concepts

On-Ice / Off-Ice Correlation

Both on-ice and off-ice must be coordinated in your training approach

Hockey International Training

If you strive to become the best you can be, and have aspirations of playing NCAA and professional hockey, young players should consider supplemental training to develop faster than normal progression.   To develop upper-level hockey skills requires specific supplemental training and SPEED is the name of the game as you move up.  

To accomplish this, your training must be based on sound scientific training principles and be targeted, consistent and progressive while including the numerous aspects of mental, character and senses development.   Hockey International training programs are designed to start players on the right path to becoming an elite hockey player capable of exceling and achieving their goals. 

Our developmental techniques train the MIND, BODY, and SENSES, insuring the player can compete mentally, physically, and instinctively like the great ones of our time. 

Training for Hockey

Training for hockey is much different than training for other sports and the science has evolved over the last 10-15 years.  Hockey International is always searching for information, new science, talking to experts – and evolving as a training company. Our programs use the most up-to-date scientific research on hockey training in order to design our programs, both on-ice and off-ice, providing you with the building blocks for what you need when you are 19-20 years old.         

Yes, development takes time – be patient!

Based on our work with college/professional scouts, coaches, agents and trainers, we understand what they are looking for.   Speed, and the ability to think and play with skills at top speed for 3 periods, is what ultimately separates players.  Not all training is the same.   Quality is more desirable than quantity and Hockey International provides a level of detail no other programs offer.  

“SPEED WINS - Speed of Mind & Speed of Action

Dr. Stephen Norris - Dir of Sport Phys & Strategic Planning - Canadian Sport Centre

Our methodology also takes the USA Hockey American Development Model (and Long-Term Athletic Development) to another level as we have added key components that will benefit the players in their overall development process. 

Our training is based on these key components:

Brett-Sarah

Brett Strot & Sarah Erickson (US Women's Nat'l Team)

On-Ice Detail

"Tasha" - Going over skating mechanics on-ice with Sarah and youth players

Sarah-Jo-Mo

Sarah Erickson - Monique/Jocelyn Lamoureux working with "Tasha" on skating principles

NCAA+Women

NCAA D-I and Women's National Players - Training (May 2013)


USA Hockey Women's Olympic/National team players: Monique/Jocelyn Lamoureux | Sarah Erickson | Anne Schleper training at Hockey International


Noora Raty - UofMinn, Finish Olympic team - Goaltender Training on Slide-Boards

YOUR LONG-TERM TRAINING PLAN

Training properly for hockey requires a strategic year round plan that advances the both the anaerobic and aerobic capacities of the athlete as well as expanding lactic acid thresholds.

A well planned anaerobic training program incorporating sprint and overload intervals simulates the workload, specifically meeting the demands of the players energy system to play the game faster – longer with a quicker recovery rate.   Most players fatigue quickly if recovery efficiency is not enhanced, which leads to the accumulation of lactic acid and decreased performance.

A well planned anaerobic program will increase aerobic capacities – but training mostly aerobically does little to enhance anaerobic capacities!

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Player's striving to reach their potential must first come to the conclusion that the “Building Blocks” to reaching their goals come down to having strong character. Improvement can only be achieved through character strength and dedication.

A player must develop the passion and desire to become the best he/she can be through hard work, sacrifice and a willingness to learn.

TESTING

Testing plays a major role in the development process allowing the player to set benchmarks based on where they are today compared to where the player needs to be one year, three years or seven years down the road. HI’s testing program is the replication of renowned hockey physiologist, “Cardiac” Jack Blatherwick. Cardiac Jack has been involved with testing and training elite athletes for over 30 years, including the “Miracle on Ice” 1980 Olympic team.

Having tested Olympic, Professional, and D-1 players, Jack has gathered immense data where we provide players with statistics and graphs comparing their results to those of elite levels. This allows players to obtain a new perspective along with a plan that outlines the long-term development process. As players see improvement they become more passionate to accomplish the goal of increasing their test scores.

SENSORY DEVELOPMENT

To most hockey experts, “Hockey Sense” is assumed to be innate – you either have it or you don’t!  The notion that “Hockey Sense” is not teachable isn’t because it’s some rare mystical attribute some have and others don’t, but rather because no one tries to understand it and train for it.

In order to reach your potential you must develop “Hockey Sense.” Hockey InternationaI Sensory Development concepts represent the true “AAA” program players are missing.  

It incorporates player Awareness + Anticipation + Analytics by conditioning the neuromuscular system through sensory experiences.   Developing a “Sense” for the game is the fabric that ties all the other components together elevating you to a higher level of play.

“You cannot become an elite player if you do not have hockey sense.”
George McPhee – GM Washington Capitols

PSYCHOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

The mind can be your greatest asset and/or your largest obstacle when it comes to reaching your potential. Developing an “Elite Mindset” requires training just like our physical counterparts. Mental preparation, visualization and positive self-talk are all components that when integrated with strong character, produce an inner toughness that can overcome talent and physical short comings.

Developing the Right Focus – Right Feelings – Right Attitude gives players that “Competitive Edge”.

Once players understand that they and only they are responsible for their thoughts, they can begin down the path of developing an “Elite Mindset”. Coaches should never over estimate their ability to change a players mind; Players should never under estimate their ability to change their own minds.

SKILLS

To become a player that can play the game at speed requires specific skill development, enhancing the athlete’s ability to catch passes, make passes, stickhandle and shoot the puck – and do it while you are playing at your TOP SPEED.

  • Repetition of specific skills
  • Using the proper technique (mechanics) both on and off the ice,

These key concepts are required to provide the training to master the skills of hockey, allowing the athlete to be successful in a style of play that promotes puck possession and creative play.

ANAEROBIC VS AEROBIC

The game of hockey requires explosive short sprints shift after shift for an entire game(a series of “sprints” within a “marathon”).

Although the game is not played at top speed every shift, players striving to become an elite player need to be able to perform at a high level of speed consistently.