Volume 2 Issue 1 | January 2021 |
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By Bobby Acri – With the cold weather approaching us, the ponds will hopefully begin to freeze and the opportunity for unstructured play will be in full swing. When you look at the areas in North America producing the most professional (NHL) hockey players, you’ll find they all have one thing in common. At the top of the list: Canada, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin. All these areas have climates which support outdoor rinks. So, what does that have to do with the number of professional skaters produced? I believe the ability to find unstructured ice time plays an essential role in player development. When players can lace up the skates and not have to worry about a coach getting on them for mistakes, they get the freedom to try new things. Instead of being in the pressure-filled game setting where everyone is coached to understand games “matter”, they’re allowed to make mistakes without any repercussions. What’s the worst thing that happens if a move doesn’t work on the outdoor rink? You grab the puck out of your net and try again. Trial and error – what a great learning tool! |
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HOCKEY DIRECTORS & COACHES WEBINAR SERIES |
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Featuring Kendall Coyne Schofield, Erik Condra & Dan Jablonic |
On Thursday, January 7, AHAI will host a webinar with Kendall Coyne Schofield, U.S. Olympian and Chicago Blackhawks Player Development Coach & Youth Hockey Growth Specialist; Erik Condra, former NHL player and Chicago Blackhawks Player Development Coach; and Dan Jablonic, USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager and former Swedish Elite League Coach.
This webinar is intended for all high school, youth, girls and disabled program hockey directors and coaches throughout Illinois. Many topics will be discussed from player development, what makes a good practice, what coaches look for in players, and the paths players take to reach their goals.
We encourage you to include any questions you may have for our panelists in the space provided on the registration form. Registrants will receive a confirmation email which includes a link to the Zoom webinar. We look forward to a fun and informative evening!
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CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING WEBINARS IN JANUARY!
Invitation to register will be emailed approximately one week prior to each webinar.
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Developing & Communicating with Your Goalies
Featuring Steve Thompson, USA Hockey ADM Manager - Goaltending
Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 pm
Player Development from a Player's Perspective
Panelists Will Be Announced Shortly
Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 pm
Designing a Good Practice Plan
Dan Muse, U.S National Team Development Program Head Coach
Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 pm
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AHAI will be hosting 3 additional Virtual Coaching Education Program Clinics in January! Sign up early as they fill up fast! |
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Virtual Level 3: January 12 & January 14 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
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Virtual Level 1: January 19 & January 21 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
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Virtual Level 3: January 26 & January 28 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
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HOCKEY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS |
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New Year's Resolutions Apply to Hockey as Well |
By Greg Bates - New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for life in general. In hockey, setting specific goals the first of the year can be a big motivating factor in how a player improves on and off the ice. Resolutions are also an important new-year idea for coaches and parents. This year, with players having limited ice time or no ice time at all because of the pandemic, has really thrown a wrench in plans. Longtime Illinois coach Brad Bialas has some tips on setting goals for 2021. |
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USA HOCKEY & AFFILIATE ONE-TIMERS |
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Q&A with Hershey Bears Video Coach Emily Engel-Natzke |
Tom Robinson - Emily Engel-Natzke has turned years of video work with USA Hockey and the University of Wisconsin into a job as video coach with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears, the top affiliate of the Washington Capitals.
Engle-Natzke discussed her past and present roles in an interview with USAHockey.com.
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Jamie MacDonald, Mass Hockey - Every once and a while, it’s OK to look through the prism of “What not to do” to see things a little more clearly. In the case of a hockey practice, the what-not-to-do, not-so-great version is one that finds players spending much of their time standing around.
Kenny Rausch, who played four years at Boston University in the early 1990s and is now USA Hockey’s Director of Youth Hockey, on what a successful practice looks like.
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ON-ICE DRILLS FOR GOALIES & PLAYERS |
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Tennis Ball Reaction Drill
Purpose: For goalies of all ages and skill levels, allows for tracking play behind the net, quick reactions and fun.
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Double Trouble Drill
Purpose: This drill will help goalies develop puck skills and learn to properly read low-to-high plays.
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2 v 0 Half Ice Hit Post
Purpose: Drill by Nate Leaman, World Junior/Providence College Head Coach, which improves passing, 2 v 0 scoring, deceptions and back checking.
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Breakout & Regroup 2 v 1
Purpose: Use stations to teach important game-like situations like breakouts, neutral zone regroups and offensive rushes all at once. VIEW DRILL>>
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Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. |
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