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

Stride recovery

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 15:05

By Diane Ness

Last summer we had the chance to meet up on the ice with one of the nation’s top speedskating coaches, Dave Cruikshank. You may have also seen Dave at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo at the Easton booth just a couple weeks ago. Every year we meet with Dave to discuss some different philosophies and techniques. Whether it’s speedskating or figure skating, there is so much to be learned in the world of skating if you look outside the box. Dave mentioned to us that speedskaters reach top speeds around 40 mph, more than twice as fast as hockey players, so there is a lot to be learned from this sport.

Here’s your shot

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 14:46

By Chris Pryor

With the offseason fast approaching, it’s time to think about “How or what can I improve?” This is a perfect time of year to work on the “holes” or weaknesses in your game.

In saying this, one component that you can improve upon is your shooting. Whatever the shot selection may be – backhand, wrist shot or slap shot – the same basic concept holds true that in order to improve your shot, you need to work at it and that means practice, practice and more practice. The more you do it, the better you will become.

Guide to using social media safely

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 14:43

By Aaron Paitich

The locker rooms aren’t the same as they used to be. Kids have always brought music into the room to get pumped up for practices and games. Today’s technology makes it just as easy to bring in smartphones and other devices that can include cameras, video capabilities and instant access to the internet and social media outlets.

That means extra precaution, supervision and education should be a priority.

Keeping the Mighty Ducks dream alive in the North Metro

Details: Last Updated on Friday, 15 March 2013 19:09

Do you remember "The Mighty Ducks" series of films? A major part of "D3: The Mighty Ducks" was filmed north of Minneapolis at Columbia Arena in Fridley. Unfortunately, this nostalgic piece of Minnesota history has fallen into disrepair. When Anoka County sold the ice arena to the Minnesota Youth Sports Association (MYSA) in 2005, the surrounding community anticipated a redevelopment of the Columbia Arena site. Upon further evaluation, the MYSA concluded that $2 million would be needed to update the facility. This financial goal was out of reach and the site has remained vacant since 2006.

A first look at the Class of 1997

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 15:56

By Tom Lynn

For some of our 15-year-old Minnesota hockey players, this spring is the time when they will go from accomplished youth hockey players or local high school phenoms to true national prospects. The Reebok High Performance camps in April are the first step, and then a good number of those players will go on to the USA Hockey National Camp in Rochester. The best of those will play for Team USA in the Five Nations Cup in the Czech Republic in August (and there were five Minnesotans on that team last year). Also in the mix will be the National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp in March, a tryout for players to be invited to join USA Hockey’s NTDP program in Ann Arbor, Mich., for the next two years.