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I keep reading about the supposed superstar creator programs like the Machine, etc. To Bernie's credit, he has some hype going.

Reality, the vast majority of kids that have played D1 hockey or beyond did NOT play on Bernie's 88 team. The vast majority of players that will play D1 hockey and go pro from the state of Minnesota will not play on Bernie's Machine teams.

There is also an affordability issue with all these specialized programs.

I am looking to help the masses with inexpensive or free training ideas that you can share. Ideas that, if applied will work. Your ideas can help experienced hockey players as well as parents who are just learning the game.

Please share you insight.

I will start with shooting thousands of pucks each summer.

Want to make it to the next level................shoot and keep shooting. Set up an area in your garage or basement. Get a net or back board. Don't have a lot of money..........use an old mattress. Buy 50 to 150 pucks, set weekly shooting goals with your kid(s).

Shoot and keep shooting all summer long. A kid should be able to shoot 200 to 400 shots within a half an hour. Practice all the shots: wrist, snap, slap and back hand.

In my opinion, Scott Bjugstad has a great shooting clinic. Spend the money and go to his garage one time. If you can afford it, do it multiple times and go to his clinics. He will put the right stick in your kids hands and teach proper shooting techniques. He will also help your child with goal setting.

His website is below:

http://scottbjugstad.com/index.shtml

Looking to protect your walls.............check out this website:

www.snipersedge.com

I picked the following off of USA Hockey website. Good info about age related progression and player development.

http://www.usahockey.com/uploadedFiles/ ... ndbook.pdf

Great stick-handling in hockey is a must. Bernie makes money on his breakfast club. They spend the entire time working on stick skills.

Sidney Crosby went to Shattuck for a year. He would spend hours working on stick-handling skills on their dryland area outside the old rink.

Europeans have more presence in the NHL than ever before. The reason..............their skills.

Get a stick-handling ball(s), golf balls or as Wayne Gretsky did...........use tennis balls. Set up a course. Have your child set summer stick-handling goals. Frankly, that is what Bernie asks his Minnesota Made/Breakfast Club kids to do. WHY? Because..........it WORKS!

Some product websites to look at:

http://www.prohockeyequipment.com/smarhocbal.html

http://www.sweethockeyproducts.com/

Some of these products are realitively cheap and one time costs.

One more addition and I will shut up for a while

Read Let's Play Hockey on a regular basis. In the offseason, Let's Play Hockey is published once a month. In season, it's published once a week.

One of my favorite authors is Jack Blatherwick. Jack is a regular contributor to Let's Play Hockey. In case you didn't know, Jack was with Herb Brooks during the 1980 Olympics. He has a PHD in Physiology. He is currently the Physiologist for the Washington Capitals. He specializes in hockey player development.

Read the links on the following site. Pay particular attention to the info on the Burnsville Blaze website. It is worth reading.

http://www.overspeed.info/

breakout wrote:One more addition and I will shut up for a while

Read Let's Play Hockey on a regular basis. In the offseason, Let's Play Hockey is published once a month. In season, it's published once a week.

One of my favorite authors is Jack Blatherwick. Jack is a regular contributor to Let's Play Hockey. In case you didn't know, Jack was with Herb Brooks during the 1980 Olympics. He has a PHD in Physiology. He is currently the Physiologist for the Washington Capitals. He specializes in hockey player development.

Read the links on the following site. Pay particular attention to the info on the Burnsville Blaze website. It is worth reading.

http://www.overspeed.info/

This is good stuff Breakout. I remember hearing Sydney Crosby would wake up and be out stick handling before his teammates were even out of bed. Those with skill who have a good work ethic and who love the sport can go a long way.

Hockeyguy_27 wrote:

breakout wrote:One more addition and I will shut up for a while

Read Let's Play Hockey on a regular basis. In the offseason, Let's Play Hockey is published once a month. In season, it's published once a week.

One of my favorite authors is Jack Blatherwick. Jack is a regular contributor to Let's Play Hockey. In case you didn't know, Jack was with Herb Brooks during the 1980 Olympics. He has a PHD in Physiology. He is currently the Physiologist for the Washington Capitals. He specializes in hockey player development.

Read the links on the following site. Pay particular attention to the info on the Burnsville Blaze website. It is worth reading.

http://www.overspeed.info/

This is good stuff Breakout. I remember hearing Sydney Crosby would wake up and be out stick handling before his teammates were even out of bed. Those with skill who have a good work ethic and who love the sport can go a long way.

You are correct in your last sentence.

I think a lot of people have this keep up with the Jone's attitude. I have talked to people that have kids on some of these "elite" teams. There is a certain amount of pressure to do it all. Some of these people struggle to afford all of the trips and training. People need to know there are alternatives.

As you noted, "those with skill who have a good work ethic and who love the sport can go a long way".

How about "the harder I work.....the luckier I get"

breakout wrote:

Hockeyguy_27 wrote:

breakout wrote:One more addition and I will shut up for a while

Read Let's Play Hockey on a regular basis. In the offseason, Let's Play Hockey is published once a month. In season, it's published once a week.

One of my favorite authors is Jack Blatherwick. Jack is a regular contributor to Let's Play Hockey. In case you didn't know, Jack was with Herb Brooks during the 1980 Olympics. He has a PHD in Physiology. He is currently the Physiologist for the Washington Capitals. He specializes in hockey player development.

Read the links on the following site. Pay particular attention to the info on the Burnsville Blaze website. It is worth reading.

http://www.overspeed.info/

This is good stuff Breakout. I remember hearing Sydney Crosby would wake up and be out stick handling before his teammates were even out of bed. Those with skill who have a good work ethic and who love the sport can go a long way.

You are correct in your last sentence.

I think a lot of people have this keep up with the Jone's attitude. I have talked to people that have kids on some of these "elite" teams. There is a certain amount of pressure to do it all. Some of these people struggle to afford all of the trips and training. People need to know there are alternatives.

As you noted, "those with skill who have a good work ethic and who love the sport can go a long way".

How about "the harder I work.....the luckier I get"

I've always liked this definition:

"Luck is convergence of preparation and opportunity"

good thread breakout, solid information..it's good to see you actually just be a hockey guy and not a basher/slasher/trasher..thanks for the info!!

breakout wrote:I keep reading about the supposed superstar creator programs like the Machine, etc. To Bernie's credit, he has some hype going.

Reality, the vast majority of kids that have played D1 hockey or beyond did NOT play on Bernie's 88 team. The vast majority of players that will play D1 hockey and go pro from the state of Minnesota will not play on Bernie's Machine teams.

There is also an affordability issue with all these specialized programs.

I am looking to help the masses with inexpensive or free training ideas that you can share. Ideas that, if applied will work. Your ideas can help experienced hockey players as well as parents who are just learning the game.

Please share you insight.

Let me begin by saying that I think that Bernie is a great hockey mind and knows how to teach the skills of the game. However, for the most part the players in his "AAA" program are not the best players in the state nor do they have the most potential. What they do have is access to his teaching, typically due to their parents financial situation. Yes the kids can play the game, but there are many players without this type of financial access who could thrive in the same program. I have never read of a scholarship program at Minnesota Made Hockey.

As a divorced public school teacher/coach I can afford to allow my sons to attend camps and clinics, and they have played AAA in the past, but there is a limit. I rarely feel compelled to respond to posts but I must say that I think breakout is one of the few posters out there that thinks along the same lines as I do. The most talented athletes by in large are not the ones whose parents have the ability to pay thousands of dollers in order to travel to exclusive hockey tournments. Don't kid yourselves. There are a number of players who could take the spots away from kids on these teams.

One last thought and I'll retire to lurking on this site. The NHL wonders why it has such a hard time succeding in many markets in the U.S., but the answer is quite simple. When access at the most basic levels is limited by money you will not have support at the highest levels. Keep up the good work breakout!

Soulforged simply awesome post.

Well, I'm still a fairly young guy, just out of college, but I can tell you the biggest things that helped me through the years. Practicing relentlessly either in the garage, on the street, in the basement, or wherever. Shoot pucks, stick handle, and all that good stuff.

However the biggest thing that helped me was experience. Take your kids to the outdoor rink (yes they still exist, I'm there playing with young kids every winter) and have them play with older better players. The challange will be good for them and chances are that they will pick up some good habits along the way from watching the older kids. Anytime you can get a mite or squirt player on the same ice as a high school player that they recognize, the kids tend to listen.

Also, when you are playing with you kids, remember to keep it fun, but also give them a challenge. Make them take the puck away from you and give it a little effort when trying to get it from them, just don't do it everytime so they lose confidence, which any athlete will tell you is huge. Your body is usually only as good as your mind lets it be in a lot of cases. If your kid believes he can get around defenders or stop the one timer, chances are he will have a better chance of doing it because he will give it all his effort because he truly believes it can be done. Just a young father's thoughts.

jancze5 wrote:good thread breakout, solid information..it's good to see you actually just be a hockey guy and not a basher/slasher/trasher..thanks for the info!!

Some of my stuff is tongue in cheek. Don't read tonality in messages.

Also, I spend more time in the high school section.............interests me more. However, I do care about hockey development. Having been there..........done that.

Got anything to add on the development side?

theref wrote:Well, I'm still a fairly young guy, just out of college, but I can tell you the biggest things that helped me through the years. Practicing relentlessly either in the garage, on the street, in the basement, or wherever. Shoot pucks, stick handle, and all that good stuff.

However the biggest thing that helped me was experience. Take your kids to the outdoor rink (yes they still exist, I'm there playing with young kids every winter) and have them play with older better players. The challange will be good for them and chances are that they will pick up some good habits along the way from watching the older kids. Anytime you can get a mite or squirt player on the same ice as a high school player that they recognize, the kids tend to listen.

Also, when you are playing with you kids, remember to keep it fun, but also give them a challenge. Make them take the puck away from you and give it a little effort when trying to get it from them, just don't do it everytime so they lose confidence, which any athlete will tell you is huge. Your body is usually only as good as your mind lets it be in a lot of cases. If your kid believes he can get around defenders or stop the one timer, chances are he will have a better chance of doing it because he will give it all his effort because he truly believes it can be done. Just a young father's thoughts.

Great stuff. I like your input!

For those that feel pressured to do it all.

There is a kid by the name of Jake Hendrickson. He will be a three year letter person for the Burnsville Braves this year. You may remember his name at the State Tournament last year. He will be a part of one of the top lines in high school hockey this year...........was last year as well.

Jake will be a Captain of his team this year. Goes to the cabin and does not play AAA hockey in the summer. More than likely, Jake will be wearing a college sweater in the near future.

Jake is a hard working kid in season and off. He works on his skills and works at becoming bigger, stronger and faster. Finds time to fish too!

Basically, if you are dedicated and committed to succeed you can do it without feeling compelled to spend a ton of dough.

Here's another great site for interested people to visit. They have a program that many of the top players go to.

If your player wants to continue to develop, yet he/she wants to play other sports or go to the cabin Impact Hockey is something to look into.

Ask them for a list of the players that have gone through their program. You will find Advance 15, Advance 16, Advance 17, college players, etc.

Worth taking a look:

http://www.impacthockeyplayers.com/

breakout wrote:One more addition and I will shut up for a while

Read Let's Play Hockey on a regular basis. In the offseason, Let's Play Hockey is published once a month. In season, it's published once a week.

One of my favorite authors is Jack Blatherwick. Jack is a regular contributor to Let's Play Hockey. In case you didn't know, Jack was with Herb Brooks during the 1980 Olympics. He has a PHD in Physiology. He is currently the Physiologist for the Washington Capitals. He specializes in hockey player development.

Read the links on the following site. Pay particular attention to the info on the Burnsville Blaze website. It is worth reading.

http://www.overspeed.info/

Jack B. Has a book titled "overspeed skills training", it's a great book that takes you all the way thru the training processes, it has many illustrations and talks about pre season, in season, post season training and how to improve your physical endurance, and skills by working beyond your comfort level.
There is some technical reading about improving Vo2max, and such that may be beyond the youth players understanding but not the parent or coach, I believe it also deals with some nutritional information...it's been a while since I picked the book up, but has been a great resource thru the years.

Great thread Breakout your info will help many who take the time to follow up on the leads.

To expand the "stickhandling in the garage" theme ... here are some interesting ideas from USA Hockey (NDTP videos): http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usaho ... eyType=ICE
Most of these require nothing more than what is already laying around in your garage (well ... at least its laying around in mine ).

PanthersIn2011 wrote:To expand the "stickhandling in the garage" theme ... here are some interesting ideas from USA Hockey (NDTP videos): http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usaho ... eyType=ICE
Most of these require nothing more than what is already laying around in your garage (well ... at least its laying around in mine ).

Awesome info. People need to keep in mind, it doesn't take great resources to improve greatly. It takes shared knowledge, extraordinary effort and some space to get it done.

Plagiarism is rampant in hockey. There aren't many new drills or skill development ideas. It takes a plan and a work ethic.

If you don't have a lot of dough, or don't want to spend all that dough get some of the suggested resources that are being offered up. Consider helping your kid with goal setting (life lesson?). Consider setting up a spreadsheet and recognize accomplishment. Shots per day, etc.

It just takes a little time each day to gain great improvement.

As Jack Blatherwick stated in a Let's Play Hockey article "you are only a work ethic away from your dreams".

jancze5 wrote:good thread breakout, solid information..it's good to see you actually just be a hockey guy and not a basher/slasher/trasher..thanks for the info!!

One guys opinion breakout, don't let it go to your head...

Jake has played some AAA not as much as others and played select tournaments,He does work hard,maybe the hardest I've seen,He has a motor like no other,He's a very good student,And a good kid,He will make it to the next level,I have watched him for many years now,OH ya he was also on the Squirt A team along with the rest of the highscool team,most of the played A level by there 2nd year and alot of them there 1st year
________
Universal health warehouse

Neutron 14 wrote:

jancze5 wrote:good thread breakout, solid information..it's good to see you actually just be a hockey guy and not a basher/slasher/trasher..thanks for the info!!

One guys opinion breakout, don't let it go to your head...

Just when I was feeling good about myself..................I get hit from behind by the neut.

I knew you wouldn't disappoint

breakout wrote:
Just when I was feeling good about myself..................I get hit from behind by the neut.

I knew you wouldn't disappoint

A 2 and 10 feels just sooooo good once and a while!

I don't know if this has been up before but watch the stickhandling preview video it's unbelievable.
If this is old news or been posted before I apologize in advance.
http://www.skinnerhockey.com/