The Minnesota Midshipmen

Five hockey-playing Minnesota natives are challenging themselves on and off the ice at the United States Naval Academy

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You can’t teach this

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 17:46

By Kim McCullough, M.Sc, YCS

As a coach who works with players both on and off the ice, I spend a lot of time teaching different skills and helping players develop the athleticism necessary to take their game to the highest level possible. But there is one thing that a player absolutely must have if they want to realize their hockey dreams – and it’s the one thing that I, and every other coach out there, can’t teach.

We can teach you all the skills, systems and strategies you need to play at the elite level. But we can’t teach you passion. We can’t teach you how to be committed or dedicated. That has to come from inside you.

The dreaded rides to and from hockey

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 17:02

By Brent Bradford & Vic LeMire
www.GoaliesAreNotTargets.com
www.BradfordsGoalAcademy.com

Brent Bradford and Vic LeMire, authors of a new hockey resource book, “Goaltenders are not Targets,” have joined forces to deliver a series of articles that relate directly to parents in the game of hockey. Throughout the hockey season, it is hoped that all parents will gather some pertinent information so that every player is provided with the unconditional support that is necessary for enhanced levels of self-confidence, self-efficacy and enjoyment in the game of hockey.

With 85-plus combined years of experience playing, mentoring, coaching and scouting in hockey arenas across the globe, we have observed a plethora of inspiring relationships that exist between parents and their hockey players! A parent who supports his/her hockey player unconditionally after each and every practice and game is one who understands that unconditional support plays a crucial role in player development.

Fehr has painted locked-out NHL players into a corner

Details: Last Updated on Friday, 16 November 2012 20:40

By Doug Johnson
Let’s Play Hockey

NHL Players Association boss Donald Fehr has come to the place and time in the labor negotiations in which he needs to accept the major portion of the NHL’s offer. There are still unresolved issues that can be agreed to quickly, but the realization is that 50/50 revenue split is now a given.

The players have now missed their third paycheck. Their first check was due on Oct. 15, followed by Oct. 30, and then on Nov. 15. They receive 13 checks during the season. They have now lost 23 percent of their salary for the 2012-13. When they miss their Nov. 30, check, which they will, they will have lost 31 percent of their pay which cannot be made up.

Are you a great teammate? Part II

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 15 November 2012 17:49

By Kevin Hartzell
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Learning to be a great teammate might be the most important lesson in team sports. It is a main reason good parents aspire for their children to participate in team/youth sports. The fundamentals of being a great teammate not only apply to our sports teams, but to future corporate jobs and our personal relationships. In part I, we covered the importance of being a giver, not being jealous of others success and the value of honesty. This week, we cover part II.

Conditioning step 1: Ask what you’d like to maintain

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 15 November 2012 17:49

By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Training without first defining the objective results in wasted time and effort. Just ask opponents of the Oregon Ducks football team. Ask anyone who played against the Soviet hockey teams in the years 1952-92. Or the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.

The top priority for those teams? SPEED that is (was) too uncomfortable for opponents to handle for an entire game.

The three “A’s” of hockey scholarships

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 15 November 2012 17:49

By Kim McCullough, M.Sc, YCS

One of the most common questions I get from players, parents and coaches about the whole college hockey recruiting process is “What are the scouts looking for?”

There is really no easy answer to this since a college hockey coach needs to fill their roster with players who fill a position and role, which changes year-by-year based on their team’s particular needs.

To keep it simple for you, I’ve broken it down into what I call the three “A’s.”