Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Daily Training Tip #108

Sometimes tough to say and do...but take a break from hockey!

Once your season ends, take a break. Stay off the ice and out of the gym for at least 2 weeks. This will give your body time to heal and recover from the demands of a long season. Then spend considerable time in the gym during the next 4-6 weeks with some time on the ice. Then during the summer months, spend considerable time in the gym and on ice.

It is good to take a break from hockey games. Play other sports. Multi-sport athletes are a good thing.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Daily Training Tip #107

A proper cooldown after an intense workout or game, is just as important as a proper dynamic warmup beforehand.

There can be some negative affects of just heading home after an intense workout or game. Make sure you take the proper steps to cool yourself down. Let your body get back to normal before you get in the car and head home. Easiest thing to do is repeat your warmup!

Monday, March 29, 2010

All CHN Team

We would like to Congratulate two Minnesota Hockey Camps' athletes on being named to the All CHN Team.

Carl Sneep of Boston College was named to the All-CHN First Team

Matt Donovan of Denver was named to the All-CHN Rookie Team

Both of these athletes know what hard work is. Walk into the gym at MHC at anytime when these kids are around and you can see why they are as successful as they are.

Carl Sneep-Hard work still paying off!

Carl Sneep-the pride of Minnesota Hockey Camps-is entering into his third Frozen Four Appearance of his four year college career. Carl is a senior defensemen on the Boston College Hockey team. Up to date so far, Carl has lost in the championship game and has won a National Championship in the previous two Frozen Fours.

We would like to wish Carl the best of luck as he will make his third appearance in the Frozen Four on April 8th.

Looking back on the hard work and time that Carl has put in, in the gym, it is easy to see why his career is starting to shape up. Way to go Carl!!

Daily Training Tip #106

Make sure your off-ice training mimics your on-ice performance in at least some way. You only have one body, train it properly. Mistakes can be crucial.

No matter how long you play the game, your career is too short. You don't have time to overcome many mistakes with your training. Train properly to help develop your body properly.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Daily Training Tip #105

Hockey players have very strong quad muscles. Because of this, players need to improve their hamstring strength to prevent injury.

PiggyBacking off of yesterday's tip, today's is similiar. Opposite muslce groups are very important to your development and in preventing the risk of injury. Same holds true for a players biceps. Everytime you work your biceps, you need to work your triceps in order to prevent muscle imbalance and decrease the risk of injury.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Daily Training Tip # 104

Hockey players usually have very strong hip flexors. Because of this, players need to improve strength of lower abs and back to prevent injuries.

Because of the biomechanics of the skating style, hip flexors are usually very developed.  A player needs to improve the muscles surrounding hip flexors to prevent injuries. Some of those main muscles are your lower abs and back. It always seems to come back to abs. Your abs (core) are so crucial to your development.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Sneep Helps Lead BC!

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2010/03/19_moresleeper.php

Carl Sneep of Boston College is one of MHC's finest. Carl has easily put in his 10,000 training hours in our gym. He has paid one heck of a price and has developed into one heck of an athlete. We couldn't be prouder of Carl! Good luck in the NCAA tournament!!

Daily Training Tip # 103

There are some benefits to doing some exercises in bare feet! However, make sure you are on the proper surface before trying this.

By training in bare feet, you develop your foot and ankle function in a different extent than you do by wearing shoes. Make sure you try this training on the proper surface. I really like to do work in the sand. There are other good surfaces to use, but never on the concrete or blacktop!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Daily Training Tip #102

The most important part of a plyo program is developing proper landing skills.

There is a 96% direct correlation between vertical jump height and skating speed. Hockey players need to become better jumpers. In order for this to occur, players need to develop proper landing skills. Ask your local strength coach to help you improve your landing skills. This will produce greater improvement and reduce the chance of injury during a plyometric workout.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Daily Training Tip #101

Train outside of your comfort zone. If you can't push yourslef this hard in the gym, you will never be able to push yourself this hard on the ice.

Getting yourself outside of your comfort zone, isn't an easy task. It is called true hard work. I have said numerous times before, some athletes think they work hard-while some actually work hard...(big difference) During the final minutes of the championship game, the athletes that actually work hard are going to win. They know how to push themselves as individuals (and as teams) outside of their comfort zone. They know they have paid a price and they will win!

During your workout today, get out of your comfort zone!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

"Dreams Come Ture"

http://www.tampabaymetro.com/LastWord_Malone.html

A nice article in the Tampa Bay Metro Magazine about MHC Camper, Ryan Malone. Ryan is one of those examples of hard work. He is one that really works hard, versus one who just thinks they work hard.

As a strength coach, Ryan makes your job easy. He comes prepared to work!

Daily Training Tip #100

Hold yourself accountable. If you are suppose to do 3 sets of 10, then do 3 sets of 10. Don't cheat yourself!

This holds true in the gym, on the ice, in the classroom and in life. You don't need a coach or teacher or parent standing over you making sure you complete the task. Hold yourself accountable! Ultimately, you are in control of your own career. What you make of it, is up to you.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Daily Training Tip #99

Examples of hard work are everywhere. The harder you work, the better you will become. Today is no exception!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Special Thanks to all LPH Expo Visitors!

We would like to thank everyone that visited us this past weekend at the Let's Play Hockey Expo at the Boys State High School Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. It was great to meet all the new people interested in attending our great camp and to catch up with old accquantinaces.

Make sure you register for your summer sessions as soon as possible so you can use your 25% off coupon you received at the Expo.

See everyone this summer!

Daily Training Tip #98

Don't waste your mondy or time on Gimmics! There is no short cut and no substitute for hard work!

Really isn't anything to add to this one. Time and money are too hard to come by to waste either of them on gimmics. If it seems to easy to be true, it probably is!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Congratulation Joe Hartman

We would like to congratulate Joe Hartman on being named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.

Way to go Joe!

Daily Training Tip #97

Work on developing your back today. Back Extensions, Hypers and Good Morning lifts are a few favorites.

An athlete's back is an often overlooked area. However, having a bad, poorley conditioned back will end your career.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Daily Training Tip # 96

Once your season ends; take some time off, let your injuries heal up and then hit the gym again.

Once you start your "off-season" training there is not time off. Off-Season training leads into Pre-Season training which leads into In-Season training. Your Activive Recovery/Rest period is right when your season ends.

Friday, March 5, 2010

"Feature Story on Drew LeBlanc"

Read this "Feature Story on Drew LeBlanc" Drew is one of the hardest workers the MHC has ever had. Drew will continue to be a success story, if he continues to work.

http://www.stcloudstate.edu/athletics/sports/hockey-mens/story.asp?pubID=36&issueID=26344&storyID=31357

He is a player that I want my own son to emulate. He works hard in the classroom, in the gym, in the community and on the ice. Keep up the good work Drew! See you back in Brainerd this summer!

Daily Training Tip #95

Don't forget about your hips. Hips need to be strong for your athletic career and beyond. In some way, hips can be trained on a daily basis.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Daily Training Tip # 93

Try some manual resistance exercises today. These exercises only take a partner with no other equipment needed.

Try push ups. Have a partner stand over your shoulders and push down on them. This will add resistance to the normal pushup. Also a good way to work on team work skills.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Choosing the Right Summer Camp Could be a Daunting Process

“CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP,


COULD BE A DAUNTING PROCESS”

Choosing the right summer camp, could be a daunting process. There are some obvious things that come to mind, but to really make a wise choice you need to think a little deeper. I am not an expert on this subject, but have seen enough to make my thoughts worthwhile.

PRICE-Price seems like an obvious choice. However, don’t pick the cheapest camp just because it is the cheapest camp. Take into consideration what you are getting for that price. Example - An hour of ice with 25-30 players, two coaches and a counselor is better than an hour of ice with 40-50 players and one coach.

LOCATION-“There is an element of growth away from home.” Kids grow up when they are out of their normal setting and away from their friends and family. They are forced to make new friends, forced to communicate with adults and are forced to make decisions on their own. It is good for kids to experience some “away” time. As long as it is in a controlled setting. Pick a location that is different from the everyday setting your kids are in, one they will enjoy and have fun in. There are numerous setting to chose; local rink, college campus, out of state camp, and/or a self sufficient stand alone camp.

NUMBER OF WEEKS-Any day (or any week) when a player can do “something out of the ordinary” is a good day. Any amount of time a player can spend at a summer hockey camp is a good thing. However, from a physical development standpoint, a minimum of three consecutive weeks is the most ideal. This is true because most camps teach and train players in a more intense manner than a player would be doing on their own. Because of this increase in training, a players’ body gets broken down a little bit during the first week. The second week a players’ body is slowly getting built back up to where it was before camp and the third week a players’ body is starting to go beyond where they started and is starting to show improvements. Each week beyond the three weeks will also show more improvements.

RESULTS-Results speak for themselves. Look at as many results as you can. Look at the increase in improvements of the players that attend. Look at the amount of athletes that attend the camp. Look at the return rate from summer to summer. Look at the success of the athletes.

HISTORY-How long has the camp been in existence? How many owners has the camp had? How much success has the camp had?

ICE TIME-Ice time is very important but when researching hockey camps take into account not only quantity, but also quality. Spending quality time on the ice is very important. After all the ice gets paid for by the hour.

TRAINING-Make sure the summer camp you chose has a structured off-ice training program. The summer time is the time to improve a young players’ game. Big improvements can be made off of the ice. A player can get bigger, faster, and stronger, improve on explosive power, improve balance, improve conditioning, more accurate shot, quicker release, better hands, etc without stepping foot onto the ice surface. If a player runs, jumps, lifts and skates every day, they improve in all categories evenly and develop into a complete player. If a player just lifts weight, he only gets stronger. If a player only runs, he only gets faster. Get the idea. All four pieces are integral pieces of the complete puzzle that need each other to survive. Without one, the other three fall. A complete player runs, jumps, lifts and skates every day.

STAFF-This might be the most important area for obvious reasons. There are a couple of different kinds of staff you need to be concerned with. For every staff member, it is important that they have a caring level above average and a passion for the game of hockey. First is the coaching/training staff. For your son/daughter to get the most out of their summer camp experience they need to be taught by courteous, knowledgeable, professional coaches and trainers. Second is the counselor staff. Make sure the counselors are detailed people, are courteous, caring, professional and love their jobs. Your son/daughter is going to be with the counselors the majority of the time they spend at a summer camp. A counselor can make or can ruin a summer camp experience. Thirdly, make sure there is a good support staff in place. Make sure the maids are qualified so your housing is in order. Make sure the cooks are enjoying their jobs as your child will have to eat while at camp. Every mother is worried about what their child is eating!

SECURITY-Who is watching your son/daughter when you aren’t?

RECREATION-There are a couple of questions here. What sorts of recreation does the camp offer? There needs to some sort of recreation, some winding down time at the end of the day. Is this recreation structured? Is there staff supervision the recreation?

HOUSING-Where would my son/daughter sleep? How many roommates? Is there staff close by? Housekeeping? Someone to wake my young child up in the morning?

EMERGENCY-What happens in the case of an emergency?

By doing your homework before you commit to a summer hockey, you will have probably have a better experience, improve more and want to return again the following summer. We will help you get your homework started.

PRICE-Comparing other camps, you get the most for your money at Minnesota Hockey Camps. We are priced competively and feel that you get the best “bang for your buck” at MHC.

LOCATION-Minnesota Hockey Camps located in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area. We are nestled in the woods on the shores of Clark Lake. Within in a short drive from Gull Lake and numerous golf courses. You couldn’t ask for a better setting.

NUMBER OF WEEKS-You can attend Minnesota Hockey Camps any length of time you wish, one week or multiple weeks. We run every summer for ten weeks, you can even stay all ten. We recommend three consecutive weeks. We also run specialty week camps including a girl’s camp, a goalie camp, a mite camp and an adult novice camp.

RESULTS-Our results really speak for themselves. I have an office full of past testing results that prove our program works for all athletes.

HISTORY-We are entering into our 30th summer. We are a time tested program that is second to none.

ICE TIME-Our ice time is quality ice time. Each athlete is on the ice twice daily for an hour and fifteen minutes each time. Our instructors are actual coaches, they coach at the high school, junior, college and professional levels. The pros that come to our camp, come because they want to complete our program.

TRAINING-Our training is second to none. We have our “training sanctuary” that is used twice daily, once for a dryland session and once for a weight session. Athletes learn how to train properly and are able to take home with them, the best training program around. We also have a shooting/stickhandling range where players can improve on their stick skills.

STAFF-Our staff speaks for itself. We have coaches whose profession is to coach and mentor kids. We have coaches that represent all levels of hockey from high school to junior to college to the professional ranks. Their job is to help your child improve.

SECURITY-All of our staff lives on our grounds, right along with the campers. So we are staffed 24 hours a day. Your kids are always in good hands.

RECREATION-We are settled in the pines along the shores of Clark Lake. Our recreation has unlimited possibilities. We have swimming, boating, beach activities, street hockey, other sports, team games, video arcade, etc. All of our athletes have the time of their lives.

HOUSING-We have different housing available. We have dorms, cabins and hotel style housing. We have an entire housekeeping staff that keeps our living quarters in top shape. The majority of our cabins overlook the beautiful lake.

EMERGENCY-We are staffed 24 hours a day. We have certified trainers on site 24 hours a day and we are located just a short drive to the hospital.

MINNESOTA HOCKEY CAMPS MAKES YOUR DECISION EASY!

SEE YOU THIS SUMMER!

Daily Training Tip # 92

Make sure you work multiple muscle groups and multiple movement planes on a daily basis.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Congrats to Team USA

Congrats are in order to all Team USA members. What  a great Olympics!

A special congrats to the hockey players of Team USA. What a great game yesterday! Read the following article

http://www.nbcolympics.com/olympicpulse/blogs/blog=olympichealthandfitness/postid=449996.html?__source=rss&cid=&asid=a908fb15

Ryan Malone talks a little bit about his days training at Minnesota Hockey Camps during the summer months. I don't think anyone (besides Ryan himself) ever thought he would have won a silver medal playing for Team USA. Ryan has come a LONG way since the age of 15 when he first attended MHC. Keep up the good work Ryan!

Daily Training Tip #91

Make sure you cool down properly, especially after intense workouts and intense games.