Training for the Black Aces
During the NHL playoff season, it is common for the teams involved to recall players from the minor and junior hockey leagues whose respective seasons have ended. These players have been drafted or signed by the NHL organization. This group is referred to as the "Black Aces". Although they are part of the organization, they aren't part of the actual roster which plays in the games- at first. They are simply there to provide depth while also getting practice time and work with the Strength and Conditioning Coach. However, I must emphasize that they must be ready to play when they are called upon. In my experience, I have seen several Black Aces become full-time NHL players not only in that playoff season, but for successive seasons after.
What the Black Ace experience provides is an opportunity for them to feel what it is like to be in the NHL. They get to experience the whole atmosphere of the NHL playoffs. The intensity, pressure, and focus, is unmatched during the regular season, especially at the minor or junior league level.
As the Strength and Conditioning Coach of an NHL organization, the playoffs can be chaotic at times. With the fact that there are 20-25 other players who must be prepared to play each and every game, working with the Black Aces provides much more work from a coaching perspective. Whether they are only here for a few days or they are here until the season officially ends, the Black Aces are professional athletes who should be treated as such.
My philosophy when it comes to working with these players is that I am going to maximize my time with them in the weight room. Some of these players are part of the organizations' immediate future. Some of our top prospects might be Black Aces who need help with building a solid strength and conditioning foundation. For the veteran Black Ace players, they are like graduating seniors in college. They have learned how to train and know what the Strength and Conditioning Coach expects from them during this time period. They are trying to get through the playoff season and hopefully get a chance to play.
When it comes to program design for the Black Aces, I have them begin the off-season program earlier from a strength training perspective only. I say strength training only because they will not have enough time and energy to devote to other aspects of the off-season program such as plyometrics, sprints, and conditioning. They are still in in-season mode as they are still practicing on a daily basis.
What we do is have them come into the weight room after their practice. This is done mainly from a logistical perspective because they practice at 8am while the game day players have their pre-game skate or practice 2 hours later. This allows the Black Aces the opportunity to be in the weight room while the rest of the team is on the ice. This helps with providing a no-distraction environment for both groups of players.
Since the majority of my time with the Aces will be spent in the weight room, I must maximize my time with them while also taking rest and recovery into consideration. My priority is for them to learn the new exercises that may be in the program. I want flawless technique in all of the lifts. At this time, I don't care about load on the bar. I want them to be able to execute the program as effectively as possible because they will be following the program on their own when they return to their off-season homes.
When the season does officially end, each Black Ace will be given an off-season program to take home with them. The program will begin about 2 weeks after they depart. It will depend on when the playoff season ends to determine what phase of the off-season program the Aces start on. Ideally, I will always take them back to Phase 1 because of the other aspects of the program that we missed while they were here including sprints, plyos, and conditioning.
My intention of the article is to make the readers aware of another part of the development process for NHL prospects. The playoffs provide more opportunity to help develop our players while also working towards the ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup. It is a win-win situation.
