Off-Season Alternatives?

[WhatIsIcing?]

I've got a Squirt B player who will be a first-year Peewee next year. In the off-season he's typically played Showcase with his friends.

I'm wondering what alternatives are out there, whether it's skills-building or game format. Something that may have a little more structure than Showcase, which I don't think is benefitting him all that much.

I appreciate the suggestions.

[nahc]

These are just some suggestions as there are many alternatives out there:

1) Checking clinic - Huge for first year Pee Wees

2) Steege clinic

3) Stickhandling clinic

4) Showcase or similar if played at the Pee Wee level in the Spring. This will give the kids a taste of Pee Wee hockey prior to the actual season next fall.

5) Fall football. This gives the kids a chance to give a take a hit and know what that feels like so they don't shy away when it comes to hockey.

I'm sure there are many more suggestions out there......

[really?]

I agree with nahc and would add. My kid's greatest jumps in ability levels have always come during the off-season and always as the result of clinics and camps rather than "team stuff". Roller-blading is an awesome leg/endurance builder - and yes. a little team stuff to get ready for tryouts is always beneficial.

good luck!

[RFFalcon22]

At that age level kids should work mostly on their skating, one thing I've noticed lately is their are a lot of Bantam/HS age kids who can stickhandle and shoot very well, but are very sloppy and slow skaters. If a kid is hoping to further his development he should work on his skating more than anything else during the off-season. I'm not sure if its still around but when I played youth hockey I did the Overspeed/Quickness clinic every summer and, although it was tough, it helped my skating a lot.

[sniper77]

i would say if your looking for them to start working out and work on the stride, i would suggest impact also knowm as FHIT. It is a great program that is located at st. thomas