A Guide to Off-Ice Hockey Training

As another hockey season wraps up, you’ve likely experienced your fair share of highs and lows. From exhilarating game-winning goals to the challenges of injuries and losses, it's been a rollercoaster. But through it all, you persevered, and now it’s time to focus on growth.

The Importance of Purposeful Training

Top experts agree that to reach your full potential in hockey, you need to train with purpose and strive to improve daily. But what does purposeful training look like? It begins with a candid self-assessment to understand where you stand and what you aim to achieve—setting the stage for effective off-ice hockey training.

Conducting Your Self-Evaluation

To kick off your self-evaluation, start by downloading the Post-Season Self-Evaluation Exercise sheet. This tool is designed to help you honestly assess your skills without the filter of team dynamics. You may have been part of a successful team, but were you really contributing as much as you could have?

• Physical Skills: Rate yourself from 1 to 5; 1 being the least developed areas.
• Mental Skills: Identify your psychological strengths and areas for growth.
• Intangible Skills: Evaluate qualities like leadership and teamwork.

Setting Improvement Objectives

From your evaluation, select three or four key areas as your primary improvement objectives. Determine the strategies and resources needed to develop these areas. This might mean seeking out a power skating instructor or a strength trainer to help hone your skills. Remember, advancing in hockey often requires expert guidance to fine-tune specific aspects of your game.

More Than Just Playing

Ask yourself, "Am I just playing hockey, or am I training to become a top-tier hockey player?" The distinction is crucial. Training to play in college or junior hockey means dedicating yourself to rigorous development, acknowledging your strengths, and actively working on your weaknesses. These aren't just areas for improvement; they are the guideposts that will lead you to your goals.

Embrace the Journey

As you embark on your off-season training, remember to work hard and dream bigger than everyone else. Off-ice hockey training is not just about maintaining fitness but about transforming potential into performance. Focus on your youth hockey skills this off-season, and you’ll set yourself up for success on the ice next season.

Best of luck, and here's to achieving your hockey dreams!