Basic Tips To Help Players of All Ages Improve Hockey IQ / Smarts On The Ice

• Make sure your skates fit properly - usually 1:5 size smaller than your shoe size.
• Be aware of your weight on your skates – it should be on the middle of your blades.
• Maintain a deep knee bend when you are skating – the Sidney Crosby hockey stance is ideal.
• Proper stick length – below the chin when the tip of the stick is on the ice.
• Keep your stick on or very near to the ice.
• Keep 2 hands on the stick especially when handling the puck in traffic.
• When handling the puck, keep your shoulders and arms loose, and arms away from your body for improved puck handling skills.
• There are 3 ways to start up in hockey i.e. t – start, v- start and crossover start. The most effective and most popular is the v – start.
• Always face the play / puck, try to avoid turning your back to the puck.
• Keep your head on a swivel – be alert on the ice.
• Head up at all times - beware of the danger zone – 3 to 4 feet off the boards. Avoid getting hit from behind – Safety first!
• Communicate with your teammates – make eye contact and talk on the ice.
• Know when to stride (keep your feet moving) and know when to glide (save ice) and read / anticipate the play.
• Know the short game (stops and starts) vs. the long game (crossover / glide turns) to maximize flow on the ice.
• Want the puck – track the puck’s movement on the ice with relentless effort and speed. Be an active participant (around the puck) and not a spectator (watching and wondering what just happened!).
• When receiving the puck accelerate with speed.
• Drive over the blue line with speed – go hard to the net.
• Take more shots on net – Gretzky said “You will always miss with the shots you don’t take”.
• Don’t go behind the net after a shot on net - always stop in front of the net and look for the rebound or a loose puck.
• Play a 200 foot game – skate hard and smart in all 3 zones.

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Concussion Awareness - Minor Hockey Week

Esso Minor Hockey week will run from January 11th to January 19th, 2013. It is recognized as the largest ice hockey tournament in the world. The tournament has brought Calgary teams together for over 40 years and this year will be Esso’s 34th year as title sponsor. The tournament is prestigious in the minds of so many Canadian kids. It’s a chance for players from novice to junior levels to get together for fun and competition.

No event of this size could run smoothly without a dedicated group of volunteers, parents, officials and players. So hats off to the countless number of volunteers each year who provide the kids in Calgary and across Canada with the opportunity to play. Over the week, more than 600 teams and 12,000 players ranging in age from 7 to 21 will take to the ice for this annual tournament. In addition 2,500 coaches and 4,000 volunteers will be involved to make sure the event runs smoothly.

Esso Minor Hockey week is just one example of how hockey is such a prominent part of the Canadian identity. As mentioned in a previous article published in the winter 2012 issue of Hockey Zones Newsletter the state of Canadian minor hockey as we know it today may look quite different in the next decade or so. Hockey Canada’s membership peaked in 2008-09 when it hit 585,000 registered players. However, enrolment is dropping by a little more than 1% a year, or 8,000 players, on the average, per year. The myth is that most Canadian boys play hockey, however, the reality is that the numbers are falling. Only 15.7%, or 1 in 6.4 boys, actually play the game in Canada. If the trend of young males deciding not to play hockey continues, the numbers are expected to continue to lower in the years ahead.

The Concussion Situation:

One of the major reasons behind the predicted reduction in minor hockey registrations is the perception of hockey as an increasingly violent sport in the public’s eye. Hockey is often portrayed as a violent sport based primarily on the contact aspect, otherwise known as checking. With an increase of player concussions and enhanced media coverage this only magnifies the violent perception and issue within our game. This violence is enhanced and glorified in video games.

Vision is not seeing things as they are but as they will be. Therefore, Hockey Canada became proactive and took a strong initiative this hockey season. It started a progressive awareness / education campaign to help keep players safe in our great game, as well as to sustain and to help grow player participation across our country. The theme is “Be Respectful of Everyone on the Ice”. Team Canada Alumnus Sydney Crosby, who has seen his own career derailed by concussion problems, endorses and supports the New Concussion Awareness Campaign.

Sidney Crosby states “I feel very fortunate that hockey has been part of my life since I was very young and admire Hockey Canada’s commitment to educating families and players about all aspects of the game. It is important to always give your best effort and yet always be respectful of everyone on the ice. Be smart, stay safe and have fun.”

Source: Hockey Canada Website

HOCKEY CANADA HAS LAUNCHED FREE CONCUSSION AWARENESS
APPS FOR SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS

The Hockey Canada Concussion Awareness apps are available in both English and French, with versions for adults and kids. The apps include a variety of resources and information on concussions, focusing on prevention, respect, rules, symptoms and return to play protocol. All these apps are available for Blackberry, iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded free on several websites and platforms including www.HockeyCanada.ca, Blackberry’s App World, iTunes and Google Play Store.
“This app has a variety of very useful information on concussions for parents, players, officials and volunteers,” said Hockey Canada President and CEO Bob Nicholson. “Download this app to your phone or tablet today, and you will have concussion information on prevention, rules, symptoms and ‘return to play’ protocol at your fingertips.”
One version of the Hockey Canada concussion awareness app was developed for kids, and is a great tool to teach children how to prevent concussions through respect and playing by the rules. The app also puts important concussion information into easy to follow information for young players. It also contains an interactive game that features Hockey Canada's mascot, Puckster.
This Hockey Canada initiative is part of a national project bringing together Hockey Canada, ThinkFirst Pensez d’Abord Canada (TFC), a program of Parachute, leaders in injury prevention, the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport (CCES) and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). The project is aimed at reducing brain injuries in team sports in Canada and is funded in part by the federal government through its Active and Safe Initiative.
The project partners envision a country where all Canadian children and youth have access to safe team sport activities. It is expected that in collaboration with Canadian governments and their community partners, they can accomplish much over the next few years by focusing its collective efforts. For more information on Hockey Canada, its programs and concussion awareness or download the new concussion awareness app, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/apps


In the true spirit of Esso Minor Hockey week let’s play hard, let’s play to win, let’s play to have fun but most importantly let’s play safe!! Safety First! Let’s make every effort to minimize concussions in the game!

Check out our current programs at: http://www.tuckerhockey.com/upcomingprograms.asp!

Tucker Tips: How to Improve a player's scoring ability?

How to increase a player’s scoring ability and point totals is a common question at all levels of hockey. When analyzing the hockey skill set, the technical progression is developing skating, to puck control, to passing and to shooting. Skating is the most important hockey skill. With better skating skills a player’s edges will improve. It will also enhance overall balance / ability to transfer weight, to stride with the puck and create a stronger foundation for better shooting and scoring opportunities. In addition, good puck control, passing skills and hockey sense are essential in executing effective offensive tactics which will enhance scoring chances in a game.

When thinking of shooting – use the following philosophy.  If a player has a better shot, the player is more confident, with increased confidence more shots are taken in a game and therefore more goals being scored. Wayne Gretzky has said   “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.

The natural shooting progressions are proper mechanics, accuracy, quick release, hardness / power and shooting under pressure / game situations. There are various types of shots - wrist, snap, slap, flip, backhand and one timer shooting. Each type of shot must be mastered from a stationary position first, then while moving and later under pressure / game situations. Brett Hull, one of the greatest goal scorers of all – time, practiced shooting 200 pucks each practice. Alexander Ovechkin is often at the top of the leader board each season with shots on goal and goals scored. However, he requires nearly 400 to 500 shots per season to score 50 goals!

For example, the accuracy of a player’s wrist shot involves the following components: good control of the puck on the stick blade, the player’s head is up, player’s eyes are on the target, and the player points the stick blade towards the chosen target on follow through. At the minor hockey level, the wrist shot in stride is the most common shot. Whereas at the professional level it’s the snap shot in stride. Next time you watch a game make a mental note of the most common shots taken – the game within the game!

Once a player has developed and become accomplished with the various technical shot progressions, the next step is to learn, practice and incorporate more individual offensive tactics into their game. Offensive tactics provide a player with more options on the ice, a player will maintain position of the puck in the offensive zone and create more time and space for themselves. Finding and creating space are two skills that accomplished goal scorers such as Jarome Iginla have mastered. Offensive tactics include but are not limited to the following: Driving to the net / shooting in stride, deking, deflections, wrap - arounds, walk outs, delays, open up pivots, Russian stop ups, outside to inside cuts, inside to outside cuts, stagger and lateral moves etc. A good combination of technical shooting ability and individual offensive tactics provides a player with more tools in the tool box.

Sidney Crosby, the world’s greatest hockey player, always keeps working on his game – face-offs, puck protection, scoring ability, and most recently his backhand shot. Sidney Crosby is extremely talented but no one works harder to improve on their game. Sid, we hope to see you again in the NHL working your on ice magic in the very near future! If a player wants to be a better scorer and /or a more complete player he or she must continue to work on their game.

A good technical hockey skills coach can help a player improve his or her offensive game. Remember if a player has a better shot, the player will be more confident in their shot, will take more shots on net, and with the increased volume of shots the  player will score more goals! This is a simple rule in hockey to help develop and take a player’s game to the next level!

Are You Ready?

It happens every season. The Calgary midget hockey system is heavily scouted and young players are chasing the dream…the dream of someday playing in the NHL. The road to the NHL travels though Junior A Hockey. The question brought forth – Are you ready?

Midget players age 16 and 17 years of age receive many invitations to attend rookie Junior A hockey camps held in April and May each year. Parents pay the clubs any where from $100 to $150 to allow their son the opportunity to showcase his skills. Many of the camps invite 100 to 120 prospects. Often this is a good revenue steam for the Junior A clubs. Parents and their son have many choices – it’s not uncommon for players to attend upwards of 5 rookie camps. It’s important for the player to be prepared for each camp ( expect a grueling schedule, play with intensity, look like you want it and do your best to control the nerves, fears and deal with the uncertainty of the situation). Realistically look at the opportunities available from each team. It’s better to attend 2 or 3 camps (quality) vs. 4 or 5 camps (quantity). If the player has a good showing, he may get invited back to participate in the late August main camp with upwards of 35 to 60 players which will include the returning  Junior A veterans as well.

Players and their parents often chase the dream of playing Junior A hockey either Western Hockey League (Tier 1) or Alberta Junior Hockey League (Tier 2) at the early age of 16 or 17 years old by skipping a year or two of midget eligibility to get on the fast track of advancing one’s hockey career. But a caution to parents and players who receive promises from scouts and coaches about being highly regarded and the opportunity to play on their Junior A team for the upcoming season. Many 16 year olds will go and tryout for a team. It will be for many their first time away from home. They may have limited interpersonal / social skills, and few life skills such has budgeting monies, purchasing personal items and making life decisions. Players may experience homesickness and the juggling of highly competitive hockey with education can seem overwhelming. The rookie players are hanging out with older and more mature young men (18 – 20 years old) and peer pressure may lead them down the path they won’t normally follow. By moving away from home they are giving up familiar support groups such as family and high school friends. Promises are made to them about making the team, the player’s individual role on the team, the amount of playing time and position played. Players are exposed to physical, mental and emotional stresses and strains unaccustomed to in their bantam or midget days in Calgary.

Yes, there’s the odd player who is ready to play Junior A hockey at the early age of 16 years old. Chris Philips, of the Ottawa Senators played Junior A (Tier 2) hockey with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons at the ripe old age of 16, but he was living at home. The Alberta Junior Hockey League allows up to 2 roster spots per team. Alberta resident players can go play in the Manitoba, Saskatchewan or B.C. junior A hockey leagues after they have exhausted their 3 year’s of midget eligibility.

Several summers ago I taught a 16 year old midget player a few elite power skating sessions prior to him competing in one of the Western Hockey League (Tier 1) main August camps. The player was one of the last cuts from the camp. He returned to Calgary and tried out for Midget AAA in his city quadrant. He got cut! Then tried out for Midget AA hockey in his quadrant and again got cut! Finally, he ended up playing Midget Division 1 community hockey. At this level of hockey, he experienced lower quality training, coaching and competition and this hindered his development and the ability to advance his hockey career.

What happened? Well the player was so beat up physically, mentally and emotionally from tryouts, first the WHL, then Midget AAA, and later Midget AA. The player’s self confidence and esteem regressed to an all time low! So parents, who decide to let their son tryout for a junior team away from home at the early age of 16 years old, should consider the pros and cons of such a major hockey career move. What is best for your son’s overall growth and development? Is your son ready?

Here are a few pros and cons to consider when making such a big decision whether to stay in Calgary and play midget quadrant hockey versus going away from home to play Junior A hockey.

Pros of Staying and Playing in Calgary:

• Love and support of family
• Social network of friends and former teammates
• Local Schooling
• Play quadrant hockey in Calgary and be a first line player (lots of ice time, a leadership role and enhance self confidence) or go to Junior A team and potentially be a 4^th line player or on the taxi squad. Note: In the Western Hockey League there’s a 16 year old rule – the player must play a minimum of 42 games or he can’t be on the roster.
• The Calgary midget system is vigorously scouted each season
• The experience of playing in the most prestigious Midget tournament in the world – the Macs Midget Tournament Dec 26 – Jan 1 in Calgary
• A player will get many Junior A offers if  he’s good enough, there’s no rush to take the first one at such an early age

Cons of Going Away to Play:

• Not being mentally or emotionally mature enough to handle being away from home
• Temptations of a new social circle – booze, drugs, girls, and even unwanted predators
• Financial burden of attending the tryout camps – fees, hotels, meals and transportation
• No guaranteed investment in your success by the Junior A team – as of yet, just promises?
• Possibility of being traded – and therefore no choice or say in your hockey future
• The promises made by a coach or  a general manager could change if they are fired and replaced by a new coaching regime or management team
• Junior A hockey is a faster  and more physical game, with bigger and stronger players  – injuries and concussions can be more common as a result

Yes, some players have made the jump from midget hockey to the AJHL (Tier 2) and even WHL (Tier 1) at the early age of 16 without any major problems. However, there are a fewer success stories and far more failures instead. Parents and their sons should be careful when chasing the dream to play hockey at a higher level. Is this a good fit at this point in their hockey career? Unless the player is a true blue chip / can’t miss prospect, the idea of playing Junior A may not be the better option. Staying in Calgary to enhance one’s player growth and development may very well be the better choice. It’s important for the parents and their son to sit down, have a good heart to heart chat, weigh the pros and cons – consciously think things through and ask “maybe we should wait another year or two?” Self manage the situation and hockey futures and ask   –   “Are you ready?”