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.

Latest News

Are the Gopher women growing girls’ hockey?

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:55

By Aaron Paitich

The Gopher women’s hockey team capped off an historic season on Sunday, beating Boston University 6-3 for their second-consecutive NCAA National Championship and extending their NCAA-record winning streak to a stunning 49 games. They completed the perfect 41-0-0 season.

Is their unprecedented success and star talent impacting girls’ youth hockey in Minnesota? Absolutely.

Why elephants can’t skate

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:48

By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

If elephants could speak, they’d explain why they can’t skate like humans – but more importantly, why most summer training programs are inadequate for hockey. They’d demonstrate some anatomical differences between elephant hip joints and those of humans. One of the differences (explained in the next paragraph) allows humans to skate fast. That same anatomical difference helps an elephant support tons of weight. Consequently, elephants can’t skate, and humans need hip replacements after carrying extra pounds for a few years.

Minnesotans and the 2013 Hobey Baker Award

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:44

By Kevin Hartzell
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Congratulations to the four Minnesota natives that have been recognized as final 10 candidates for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the year’s top college hockey player. No other state or province has more than one, so Minnesota’s four is quite impressive. All four of these Minnesota natives are, in my opinion, serious contenders to win the award and also legitimate candidates to play in the NHL – which makes this a very special group indeed. The four finalists are Quinnipiac goaltender Eric Hartzell (White Bear Lake), North Dakota forward Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie), St. Cloud State forward Drew LeBlanc and Nebraska-Omaha forward Ryan Walters (Rosemount).

Basics for handling faceoffs

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:41

By John Russo
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Note: This will be one of the articles (Chapter 5: Position Development) in John Russo’s soon-to-be published new book “Best of Coaches’ Corner – 26 Years.” Watch for it in 2013.

Winning or losing the battle of faceoffs can mean winning or losing games in which two teams are pretty evenly matched. Of course, success at the end faceoff circles is more critical because they can result in scoring chances. But neutral zone faceoffs also determine which end the puck ends up in right afterwards and so these also influence goal scoring on a more broad basis.

The X factor

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:36

By Diane Ness

As a skating instructor, my job is to teach skaters young and old the mechanics of all skating skills. Whether it’s a stride, forward crossovers or transition, all skills take a certain awareness and understanding to acquire.

The one area that is always overlooked and hard to understand is what we would call the “natural flow” of skating. This would be the effortless, natural movement that comes with every skating maneuver.

Who’s at fault?

Details: Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:32

By Chris Pryor

I’m well aware that the rules are ever increasingly trying to protect the puck carrier from dangerous hits, and rightfully so. We need to hold true to our rules and make sure we protect the health of the players and punish the ones that are breaking the rules. Fair enough.

BUT there also is a line between being hit illegally and putting yourself in a compromising situation. The puck carrier needs to be aware of the environment around him and when sensing danger, protect yourself. Human nature, correct?