I’m excited for the challenge!
I’m very grateful for the friendships, knowledge and experiences I gained while working with the Chicago steel and Winkler Flyers
I’m looking forward to what we are building here in Manitoba
I get messages from minor hockey coaches saying they can’t work on some fundamental skills because parents get mad and say “my kids way to advanced for that”
Here’s two NHL 1st rounders , working on and getting better at…receiving passes.
#detailsmatter
#mindset
If your a coach or player looking for a drill progression to help you win more pucks around the wall, turn your sound on to see what we recently did.
These u18 prep ladies are great players and will be on their way to the NCAA and Usports in the near future!
I share this purely to help..
We removed 3 players from our Draft list. Good players too
This was due to the actions/ behaviour we learned about the parent & or “advisors”
We have no interest in bringing negativity into our environment. No matter how good U R
#peoplefirst
When I’m scouting D, something that stands out to me for a player to make the next level is their poise. ONE building block of poise is awareness.
Take a look at how the highlight player pre scans to collect info, identifies pressure and knows his outs.
Continued..
This past summer we worked on defending skating fwrds with D
Here’s 3 1st rd picks showing practice to game
- get up to speed, then manage speed w micro pushes
- start with stick blade to the heels of the puck carrier
- close the gap w micro pushes & stick blade on puck
A few examples of what I feel are some basic edge control drills I do at some point with most High Performance players we see.
Spend maybe 5-10 mins on a variety of these progressions and variations
NHL, NHL drafted, WHL and NCAA players in the vid
1 thing I’ve learned in scouting F’s the past few years is who can play with pace. There’s lots of talk about skating, however there are players out there who aren’t very textbook skaters, but they get it done. What does it mean to play with pace? This video shows a few examples
Mix of some details we are working on this past week:
Dominant Body positioning
Puck placement
Patience and timing
Collecting loose pucks
Using the hips in contact
Power play scoring
Moving off the wall
Attacking out of turns and crossovers
Snapping pucks north quicker
One of my takeaway’s from this past summers
@belfryhockey
coaches seminar
Here I’m working on it with:
- NHL player
- First, Third and sixth round NHL draft picks
- soon to be first round WHL draft pick
We start basic and build from here
#goalscoring
quarterbacking a retrieval, details on gaining the inside track, timing with body positioning and defending the non puck carrier was a big focus this past week.
Here are some practice clips from the pro’s
The on ice conversation on these points between players was 🔥
A few clips of Brayden point I use when teaching the bumper position on the power play
Couple key points:
1) he’s shot ready
2) positions himself between defenders
3) little adjustments to be available at the right time
NHL 1st rounder & NHL draft eligible.
2 different players, same drills with different focuses. Emphasis on: balance, knees over toes, & applying more force into the ice for more separation speed.
We started simple & built from there adding different layers & shot variations
JR & pros establishing body positioning & wall play skills in a # of different game situations.
The ones who made the most successful zone exits, were the ones who processed the most info using scanning
These drills were all built off what wingers have to do on breakouts
Pro - minor hockey players, remember:
HKY is the most difficult team sport in the world to play..
Mistakes are inevitable, you need to let go of mistakes taking up your mental energy.
Focus on what you can control, instead of what you can’t
Y is hky the most difficult?
👇
Here’s a shortened video I shared last season with some of the elite Center / forwards I work with about pace and habits without the puck. Being consistent with the small details matter, especially aggregated over the entire season.
Back at it full swing for off season with Pro, NCAA and WHL players
NHL development camps are about a month away and the boys are buzzin
Individualized private and semi private sessions working on some finer details to level up their hockey sense and game applicable skills
Sound on if you want to learn how to get the puck more
..
Learning about your play away from the puck and the little things you can do to become more available and get more touches is a big part of what we teach within our sessions
what I’ve experienced this year, IN GENERAL, the key differentiator between WHL & WHL pathway plyers vs. Jr A & Jr A pathway plyers isn’t skill or talent, but the competitive spirit that drives them. All these athletes work hard, it’s that inner 🔥 that creates the separation
The minor HKY breakout dilemma:
- Coaches want more breakout drills/time
- Parents blame the breakout for losing
- The kids R stuck in between
Here are 2 elite wingers & how they most frequently break pucks out
Are we allocating our time efficiently on whiteboard breakouts?
Consistently adding different layers and ways to create lanes to shoot the puck.
Always love seeing the practice to game transfer from this guy
@UNDmhockey
@Canes
NHL dev camp mini camp clips
..
@hockeymanitoba
boys heading to
@NHL
camps these upcoming weeks
..
Position specific skills ✅
Game applicable drills ✅
High pace ✅
High compete✅
Boys were buzzin & the coaches had just as much fun as the players & G’s
Congrats & Gluck to all!
Kids travelling around the continent for tournaments, or being in a handful of different Hockey programs simultaneously is likely not the formula.
If the kid doesn’t love the game enough to do the free and easy stuff on their own, it’s probably not going to work out for them.
Some people worry about the need to play in year round tournies so the “scouts” find them.
Others focus on improving their skills, on & off the ice.
Both can end up in the same place
If you have the skills and attributes a team wants, they will find you.
If not, practice!
Last week I delivered a presentation for Hockey Canada 2 skills coaches & gold medal pathway coaches on creating offence from zone entries. Here are some entry clips you can use
Kucherov (& Tampa bay) are drivers of possession by being really good at the basics of zone entries.
I’ve had a big focus on stick detail this off season. Something that is often talked about, but rarely taught, worked on or reinforced.
1 thing I’ve learned is that stick detail falls under the Hky sense umbrella and is an area of opportunity.
Sound on for a quick example
Love the pod
@JeffMarek
especially when you get people like Oates on to talk details
Concepts like these we need 2 keep teaching in relevant SAG’s or live sitch. The ability to become available, rather than open. Not just being in the right place, but get there at the right time
It’s go time. Pro’s and WHL players getting their off season going with some details, draft picks prepping for NHL development camps, div 1 players staying sharp, USHL camp prep and wheaties spring camp. Very grateful to be a part of players process of achieving their goals!
I’m delivering a presentation for
@HockeyCanada
skills coaches on November 7, that is looking at goal scoring.
Here are some video clips that I’ll be using to illustrate the break down of some details to increase scoring
You probably don’t need to be going to multiple hockey programs at the same time.
It’s likely your good intentions are inadvertently impeding future success.
Basement, driveway, garage, ODR etc. on your own is where you should focus additional time from your program of choice
The game is always progressing because of players like Kucherov.
Largely due to the dedication and mindset of elite athletes searching to learn more
Head coach Jon Cooper talking about Kuch
It’s not entirely about the sport specific skills or X’s and O’s in coaching. I finally finished this book and recommend it to anyone who is looking to level up their coaching game
One of my key takeaways from the book are
@Coach_BrettB
3 R’s
Research, Relate, Reframe
I’d love to see more young, inspiring Hockey players get involved in:
- a different team sport
- an individual sport
- a marital art
You will learn and acquire a long list of transferable skills, that will make you a better player( & person) over just doing more hockey
I’ll never forget a play in my 1st yr of coaching at u of m, a player disregarded an f3 high order from the bench, slowly snuck in, parked himself back door & found an easy tap in G. He read & timed it perfectly
3 days into the 24 playoffs, here are some 5v5 no f3 “high” goals
I found the lessons in his book “the mindful athlete” very helpful and has shaped much of my coaching and communication style when working with players, parents and coaches at all levels
#mindset
The Oilers brought in one of world's most respected Sports Psychologists and Meditation Coach, George Mumford, this season, who previously helped guide Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to championships.
Here he is hugging Stuart Skinner after Game 6 and saying "my man" to him.
Many benefits from attacking between the dots off the rush.
One example: lots of coaches will teach D to keep the puck carrier wide.
Rather than feeding into the defensive team strategy, you force them out of their comfort zone
COL middle entry chances in their 3 wins vs WPG
Something im curious about is Y it seems so many former pro players kids are also pro’s / on the pathway to pro
Many factors go into this, 1 likely being “the car ride home”
I would guess they say some gr8 things.. but what they DON’T say might b just as if not more beneficial
Thanks to
@HockeyCanada
for another great experience in the first ever master skill coach certification
I always enjoy talking hockey with like minded coaches and teaching the next wave of skills coaches to better serve players
#hcskillscoach
We spent some time last summer working on attacking off the OZBL & changing the angle of the shot by using his feet more effectively
Mateychuk is one of the few players that has a legit chance to score from a distance with his shot. Puck comes off hot!!
Gr8 2 see it in a game
The most common ways wins are achieved in minor hockey:
The best 2-3 players on your team played better than the other teams best players
The goalie makes most (or all) of the saves they should, & some they shouldn’t
The weakest players were able to avoid being a liability
Great players scoring some nice goals
Wrapping up a full training block with pros and juniors working on attacking skills & creating offence off the rush
One difficult thing in coaching is getting someone to understand what your teaching.
You could have said something 100 times before, but they weren’t ready to hear it (4 whatever reason)
But on that 101st time, when they are ready to hear it, great things begin to happen
Sound on for Hockey sense and subtle nuances within the game
4 clips:
- speed advantages
- puck management
- using your surroundings
- angling your feet and stick blade to take away lanes
I really enjoy teaching these types of things in more detail to players in r program
1 of my summer highlights: volunteering to coach one of my nephews and his buddies, with my bro.
couple days prior I was dialed in on our pro players, & then right into poop & fart jokes with these 2015 beauties en route to victory. Talk about mindset shift haha
Proud of them!
When you think about the best defenders in the NHL, you may think of players like Hedman and Slavin.
U may think of big defenders as: mean, hits hard, tough, heavy, big body checks great stick etc.
In a combined 19 GP this season, here are ALL their NZ and DZ body checks
Great meetings with parents and players about “off season” and the benefits of multi sport the past few days
In our program, not only do we have ice time that focuses on skills, speed and smarts, we also have scheduled and coached:
- Jiu Jitsu
- Tennis
- Squash
- Badminton
Tonight I’m giving a presentation for Hockey Canada to coaches across the country titled “ skate the game”
This is one of the clips we are going to take a look at
Do you notice anything interesting about arm swing and stride recovery of the legs?
That’s a wrap on summer 23.
This is what the majority of our pro small group and group sessions looked like.
I saw a lot of growth in the players and am looking forward to watching them in action soon
Very grateful for the sharing, collaborating & learning more about the art and science of coaching
As I re read and ponder my notes, here are my top 5 takeaways / thought provoking points from the conference.
In no particular order
@MovementMiyagi
@TylerYearby
@EMERGENTMVMT
I share this because:
Minor Hockey parents - cut your kid (and their coach) some slack! This ain’t easy
Minor hockey and pro players - your doing Ok! Your excelling in something most people can’t even play
Let go of your mistakes, believe in yourself and have fun
The player is able to suck in the forechecker, and make a play with the puck that is opposite to where their toes are pointing
They bump or spot the puck to an area where their teammate has time to make the next play
This improves team possession and zone exits
Focusing practice time on things you can use in a game is critical.
Couple clips we worked on, and then implemented the next week with 5th overall WHL draft pick and team MB C
Key points:
- puck placement outside defender reach
- reducing release time
- likely open spots on net
Cool moment for me yesterday watching the men’s worlds.
14 yr Pro client and friend Kevin Clark , over to our tendered pick when I was scouting w/ Chicago Steel Macklin Celebrini, scored by former BWK capt. Ridly Greig, who skates in our pro group when he rolls through Brandon
One of the things I like best in Sheifele’s game is his ability to extend possessions around the wall and make the next play.
He can protect with his lower body, deal with contact and scan simultaneously
Here’s a couple examples
Super happy for and proud of this group!
Lots of great people behind the scenes to build this team and make it run.
I’m grateful to have worked with them.
Congrats to everyone involved 🔥
@winklerflyers
When they have the puck, they accelerate quickly in order to gain a speed advantage. They speed the game up, and now have an additional option to slow the game down. Giving yourself more options will allow you to make more plays. More plays = more points
A player I’ve been really impressed with for us so far this season is 24 NHL draft prospect Caleb Hadland. Great everyday habits in practice and games & plays the game “the right way”.
Extends possession ✅
Gets to the paint ✅
Great vision ✅
Wins wall battles ✅
Competitive ✅
The Power of Multi-Sport Participation for Kids
Diverse Skill Development - Playing various sports equips kids with a wide range of motor skills. This will help them acquire skills in their main sport quicker. A basketball player's agility can enhance a hky player's footwork.
What a treat to watch these guys I’ve coached since peewee hockey in wpg, battling it out for first place in
#nchc
division 1 hockey.
Great series & atmosphere with the boys each getting some apples and a huge OT shootout winner by ingy to cap it off
#kneehighpost
When D are defending a 2v1, coaches often say to let the goalie have the shooter, and D take away the pass. But what does that look like in a game?
Can this be considered taking away the pass on a 2v1?
See video of Josh Morrissey defending 2v1’s below
@CoachRevak
3. Accept without judgment: Reduce anxiety by accepting current abilities and circumstances. There’s no shortage of parents & players who and anxious about future (or inflated) ability. Where are you at? where do you want to be? Let’s make a plan to get there, stick to it.
An elite level shot release. Shooting is not what it used to be
These new sticks are allowing us to keep progressing shot variety
Here is a game clip and a practice clip from this past summer, working with 2023 NHL prospect/ UND commit and a Michigan state commit
Sound on
For those kids that didn't hear their names called today, our scouts job now is to find YOU!
Just like they did Matt Calvert, Carson Bjarnason and Micheal Ferland, who went undrafted in the WHL Prospects Draft!
#KeepPushing
Great share Kev
Fellow Hockey Canada skills coach Kevin Galerno with some good points about “drills”
let’s keep this discussion going
@GlassandOutPod
@TheCoachesSite
Purpose, game application, and execution points within a drill are 🔑 when designing practice’s. Players that have to make decisions/reads = greater awareness & understanding. Great episode to dive into!
@GlassandOutPod
@TheCoachesSite
@tphhockey
Where the puck is and the angle of your blade tells a story for what’s likely going to happen next
When defending, learn to recognize the capabilities of the puck carrier in each position
A few years ago I ran a clinic on checking for minor hockey. One coach said that angling is common sense. I can assure you that with these pro’s, there was a lot of failure, discussion, and trial and error to help them improve and feel more comfortable.
Passing the puck like we were taught in hockey camp often isn’t the most effective way with how fast the game is played and the technology in the sticks.
Watch how the puck spends little time on the forehand, toes up ice, eyes up and hands in-front of the puck.
1. It is my responsibility to consistently “empty my cup”. In Hockey, we need more people being ok with saying “I don’t know”. Ego prevents us from acknowledging the unknown
2. Practice should b about a search for solutions, not compliance. How are we helping players c things?
Hockey sense can be taught, developed and enhanced.
Those who think it can’t, might not know how to develop it (yet)
One of the first prerequisite things it starts with: love for the game
The next…
puck control
I have fond memories of many of these guys since they were u9’s and Atoms, barely able to stand still for 3 seconds 😂
Congrats on all your hard work, and to our Evolution Hockey team for all our coaches do.
These
@mjhlhockey
teams are getting great players and young men
After watching and tracking a lot of Hockey at the NHL, NCAA, WHL and AAA over the past years, this is an important habit that levels players up and I teach these habits and mindset to the players I work closely with
Scout for Chicago Steel/Winkler Flyers
Former player & asst coach at the U of Manitoba
Currently study, track, and train NHL, pro and elite amateur players
Follow if your interested in what I’ve learned/ what I’m working on / what I’m seeing in Hockey
#hockeynerd
#details
Our sessions today look much different than they did 10 years ago. And we are constantly progressing things. However, most of the same skills are still very relevant.
4. Abundance precedes adaptability. We need to repeat the problem solving process, rather than solely repeating the solution. Did I allow that player opportunity to be their authentic self today?
@CoachRevak
1. Stay present: Focus on the moment, not past mistakes or future outcomes. Stay relevant to now
2. Embrace a growth mindset: View challenges as opportunities for growth, not failures. There’s so much opportunity to separate urself from the rest if u shift ur mindset accordingly
5. Knowing the name of something, & knowing something r 2 very diff things. Good musicians know the notes. Great musicians understand the space btween the notes. When we can better understand and implement the space btween the notes in learning environments, we will c big change
Watch how they get 3-5 explosive, strides upon anticipation of the next play. This gives them the OPPORTUNITY to make a number of route decisions. If they don’t have these strides, they may want to go or be available somewhere, but simply cant . Aggregate opportunity over time..
Angling is such an underrated and under utilized skill set to work on. Stick detail can also be taught better than just “keep your stick in the middle” we need to implement specific purpose.
Good luck to two of these d hoping to join the other as a team Canada world junior D!
Watch how they create separation or force the opponent to keep up. This creates holes or gaps in the defenders positioning that the player or their teammates can exploit
@tyler_king
It’s not an idea, I shared what my experience from coaching both groups simultaneously almost everyday has been, 2 hopefully help some1
I’m assuming u must coach both as well, can u share what u have experienced as the biggest separator when ur on the ice coaching the players?
You're more likely to unlock a big leap in performance by trying differently than by trying harder. You might be able to work 10% harder, but a different approach might work 10x better. Remain focused on the core problem, but explore a new line of attack. Persistence is not just