From college to the NHL

By Kevin Kurtt
Let’s Play Hockey Editor

If you’ve watched nearly any NCAA sporting event on television in the past several years, you’ve seen the ad. You may even be able to recite the tagline: “There are 380,000 NCAA student-athletes, and just about all of them will be going pro in something other than sports.”

It’s a noble campaign directed at educating the masses that most athletes in college will see their athletic careers come to an end at graduation.

In the world of NCAA hockey, the vast majority of players on the 59 Division I and 78 Division II/III men’s teams will not make the jump to the NHL, AHL, ECHL or any other of the various professional hockey leagues around the world. But for a select few, college hockey is merely a steppingstone to the bright lights of the National Hockey League.

Latest News

The Hockey Doc: Prepatellar bursitis

Details: Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 15:45

By Dr. Rob LaPrade
http://drrobertlaprademd.com

Question: I hit my right knee hard into the boards when I was checked. Over the past week, I have developed swelling, like a baseball, over the front of one of my knees. I’ve been told that it is a bursitis -what should I do about it? Should I get an MRI?

Oldtimers Hockey Association to roast Phil Housley

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:07

The Oldtimers Hockey Association will host a roast of Minnesota hockey legend Phil Housley at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, May 7 at the Prom Center in Oakdale, Minn. Dick Jonckowski will serve as the master of ceremonies. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ann Berres at 651-771-1375.

1st Athlete Training: Long-term affordable development for elite athletes

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:03

When 1st Athlete opened its doors in the fall of 2010, it joined a crowded marketplace that competes to offer Minnesota athletes the most cutting-edge training. 1st Athlete has quickly gained a very strong foothold in the athlete training market by focusing on long-term development at an affordable cost, with a flexible schedule. While most training facilities and programs offer an eight week training program at a high cost or similar short-term gains in training, 1st Athlete is designed with the input of its trainers to contribute to the long-term success of its athletes with consistent training over years, instead of months.

What a weekend!

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 15:30

By Glen Andresen
Minnesota Hockey Executive Director

A record 14 state tournaments took place in 10 locations over the span of three days. For the first time, the AA classification was added to the PeeWee and Bantam levels. A lot of miles were traveled (the Red Wing 12U B team trekked over 400 miles to play in Roseau) and a lot of goals were scored.

Eliminate fear of failure in the offseason: Scrimmage

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 16:35

By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

John Wooden, who coached UCLA basketball teams to 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, spoke often about developing offensive skills: “If you are afraid to fail, you’ll never accomplish the things you’re capable of doing.”

Offseason hockey should be the most creative experiences of the year, full of scrimmages without scoreboards, championships and adults who care too much about winning. In the winter, the structured environment places too much emphasis on avoiding mistakes, so offensive playmaking is marginalized.

Playing the body

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 15:20

By John Russo
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Note: This will be one of the articles (Chapter 7: Systems and Concepts) in John Russo’s soon-to-be published new book “Best of Coaches’ Corner – 26 Years.” Watch for it in 2013.

Some players are a lot more likely than others to play the body. Some players are paid big money in the NHL to play the body. Some players are not at all interested in playing the body or having the body “played” on them. Most of the latter types are not very successful after they progress into about the Bantam level.