Game-Changers?

Growing the game of hockey has turned into a hot-button issue as participation in the sport has dropped in recent years. In an effort to grow hockey, coaches have plenty of ideas on ways to make the game more safe and enjoyable.

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An open letter to coaches: Positive coaches

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:44

By John Russo
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

The following letter went out to all of the Elite League (boys and girls) and Elite Development League coaches and assistants for the 2011 season. It was one of the items identified as a “focus” for this year’s play. As you all likely know, I feel the psychological portion of the game is as important as the physical, and in fact, often controls the physical aspects.

It would be worthwhile for all associations and schools to hand the letter out to all of their coaches at all levels.

The three hardest skills in girls’ hockey

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:44

By Kim McCullough, M.Sc, YCS

Every player has one thing they struggle with more than anything else on the ice. Same thing goes for each position on the ice. There are certain position-specific skills that are more challenging than others for goalies, defensemen and forwards.

Over the past 20 years of playing, teaching and coaching the game, I’ve noticed that there seems to be ONE skill that is hardest for players in each of these three positions.

So here are the hardest things for goalies, defense and forwards to do.

A pro scout on when to put the whistle away

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:43

By Chris Pryor

Coaching. We all need it and it is vital to a player's development, BUT when is it too much? When do we put the whistle away and let the players just play?

Coaching is very important at every level. Good coaching can enhance a player’s skills where vice versa, bad coaching can stunt their growth.

Maintain your skating

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:43

By Diane Ness

So your power play is in full swing, not to mention the penalty kill, the D zone, neutral zone, and all the Xs and Os are in place. But how do you mainantain the skills that got you there?

Although it takes a short time to lose skills, it takes a long, long time to get the quick hands back, the high speed cornering, and your crucial first three steps, as well keeping your shot. What is the best way to maintain your skating?

A hockey trip out East – Part II

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:42

By Kevin Hartzell
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

This chronicle of our trip East was interrupted by the death of my mom. After a week home in St. Paul with my family, my wife, MaryBeth, and I returned to Hartford.

Sunday, Nov. 18 – We arrive at the Hartford airport and head an hour north to Amherst, Mass., and Mullin Arena on the campus of the University of Massachusetts. We will see a Hockey East showdown of sister schools UMass hosting UMass-Lowell.

Mullin Arena is a spacious arena, arguably a bit too large for most college games. I don’t know the seating capacity but it looks like it holds 10,000. On a Sunday night, it seems more like a minor pro game with no school band playing to add a collegiate flavor.

Getting to know Winny Brodt Brown

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:42

Winny Brown (Brodt) has been playing for the Minnesota Whitecaps for eight years. Nearly a decade since the Whitecaps inaugural season in 2004-05, Winny has worked hard to enjoy many successes in both her playing and professional careers. In 2005, she co-founded the Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps – an offseason hockey program for elite high school hockey players in the state – with Chris Peterson, the Breck girls’ head coach. Currently Winny works as a sales rep for Proguard Sports, is a group fitness instructor at Lifetime Fitness and owns Os Hockey Training, an all-female hockey training program.