Daily Training Tip #349

Once your season ends, take a little time to recovery all of your injuries. Take however long is needed. Once you are all healed up, then start looking forward to next year.

Daily Training Tip #348

Mimmicking your on-ice movements off of the ice, is one of the keys to your success!

(Pictures from Jack Blatherwick http://www.overspeed.com/)

Notice any fancy equipment? The majority of these Athletic-Specific exercises can be done on your own, in your own yard. You don't need to spend a lot of money to join a fancy gym!

Daily Training Tip #347

With proper exercises, skating can be improved off of the ice!

(Pictures from Jack Blatherwick http://www.overspeed.com/)

Notice the common themes in the above pictures? With ice costs at a maximum, there are plenty of options to improve your game!

Matt Hendricks

http://capitals.nhl.com/?navid=nav-teamnav-wsh

Former SCSU Husky and MHC Camper, Matt Hendricks has signed a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals. We couldn't be more proud of this guy. He has out worked and passed up a lot of guys to get to where he is today. He is an example to everyone.

I'll never forget one of the first conversations Matt and I had together. It was over lunch at Subway, which I bought. We were discussing nutrition and diet and how important it was for college athletes to eat properly. Matt quickly stood up and went over to the counter and ordered 2 cookies and told me his diet starts tomorrow! You have to love Matt Hendricks.

Daily Training Tip #346

We've covered this before, but athletes (especially youth athletes) need to stay away from caffeine & energy drinks, especially on game days at the day prior.

Although, probably the popular believe, these drinks don't do much to help advance your career.

Daily Training Tip #345

Make sure you work your "opposites" in the gym. For instance; if you work your quadriceps today, make sure you also work your hamstrings!

Daily Training Tip #344

One Leg Squats are a good hockey specific exercise that develops triple extension...something that all athletes need to work on!

Notice the extended hip, knee and ankle that Drew LeBlanc (SCSU) is forced to do because of the added weight during his one leg squat exercise. Very crucial to the development of a good skating stride.

Daily Training Tip #343

First thing in the morning is the best time of the day to workout. Get up early and hit the gym. Then off to school, then practice. Great Routine to follow!

"Life to the Max" Tribute to Chuck Grillo & MHC

Special thanks to Mike Max of WCCO News and host of "Life to the Max" for running a special piece on MHC and owner, Chuck Grillo.

Daily Training Tip #342

Hockey players (really all athletes) need to improve on their strength, speed & power together on a regular daily basis. Pick workouts that incorporate all 3 movements.

Daily Training Tip #241

Stay clear of energy drinks. Especially if you're a youth athlete. There is no nutritional benefit, there are only negatives. The Food & Drug Adminstration (FDA) doesn't regulate these, so you have no way of knowing what is actually in them. You only have one body, treat is properly.

Daily Training Tip #240

Another good post workout snack is a hard boiled egg, washed down with a glass of choclate mik.

Daily Training Tip #338

The two best things to do to improve your on-ice performance directly leading into the playoffs...eat healthy and get the proper amount of sleep on a regular basis.

Both of these things might not be the exact same for each person. Find out what meals/snacks and amount of sleep works best for you. Then make sure you stick with that diet and get that amount of sleep right before the playoffs start and continue them throughout the entire playoff season.

Afterall, you've been working all year long to be peaking at this time!

Daily Training Tip #337

Cherries the new super food? A new study found cherry juice helps aid in muscle recovery. So along with milk, eat some cherries after your workouts.

Daily Training Tip #336

Along with your groins, your hip flexors are another important piece of the overall puzzle. Train them properly!

MN Mr. Hockey Finalist-Josh Archibald

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/78020?referrer_id=32760

Read the above article from the Minnesota Hockey Hub on MHC Camper/Pro Shop Worker Josh Archibald. Then look at the pictures below.

Josh is a glaring example of how hockey players are made during the summer time! He spends countless hours training all aspects of his game. It is impossible to get the kid off of the ice or out of the gym. Josh is getting to turn some heads now, because of the work he has put in.

He realizes he is only going to be as good as he makes himself. A concept that only a few players realize. There are only a few players that I want my son to look up to, Josh is one of those!

Daily Training Tip #335 Groins, Con't...

A hockey player's groins are an important part of the skating stride. Train your groins often to see an increase in your performance AND a decrease in injuries.

Daily Training Tip #334

If you're a hockey player that has an ongoing groin injury, you're a hockey player that is doing the wrong type of training. Part of your off-ice workouts need to be focusing on injury prevention. Using implements such as rubber bands, are a good way to help accomplish this.

Daily Training Tip #333

During this time of your winter training season, make sure you have perfect form on all of your exercises. This time of the season, you on-ice performance takes first priority. You in-gym performance has to take a back seat, but still a crucial back seat. Continue to work, just work injury free!

Daily Training Tip #332

Completing a weight machine circuit is also a good strength AND A GOOD cardio workout. Just like a weight plate circuit, it can be done at any point in the season.

Kierra Howard-named Warrior Athlete of the Week!

Congratulations to MHC Pro Shop Worker, Kierra Howard on being named Warrior Athlete of the Week!

http://brainerddispatch.com/sports/athlete-week/2011-02-02/concussion-can%E2%80%99t-stop-flying-warriors-goalie

Kierra has a great story! She switched positions to goalie two years ago and has paid one heck of a price working on her improvements. She attends MHC on a regular basis. Her and her father, help clean up the grounds of MHC before camp starts. They have quickly become part of the MHC family!

We are the founding members of the Kierra Howard Fan Club!!

Daily Training Tip #331

Completing a weight plate circuit is a great way to build overall body strength. It can be completed at anytime duirng the season, the preseason, season or post season. Great workout!!

A couple of updates...

Nice to see the Brainerd Flying Warriors finally win a Conference Championship! http://brainerddispatch.com/sports/2011-02-01/girls-hockey-flying-warriors-claim-conference-crown
Lot's of MHC Campers and MHC Staff on this team.

Nice to see Josh Archibald make his commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha. http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/77121?referrer_id=32760
Josh is realizing the price he has to make to play this game. UN-O is getting a great player and an even better person when Josh steps on campus this fall.

Daily Training Tip #330

Never take a day off from training your core.

Your core is a non-fatiguing area which means it can be trained on a regular daily basis. The better conditioned your core is, the better your performance is!

Daily Training Tip #329

Improvement happens so quickly, but ONLY when hard work is present!