Why I Like Spring Hockey

I think I may be unique among strength coaches in that I like spring hockey.  I think it is a great time of year in which the players can get better.  I know you may be thinking that I have lost it but hear me out first.  I am not talking about the spring hockey in which kids join a team and travel every weekend to a tournament.  I am talking about a brand of spring hockey that is maybe some what unique.  Its the way we run spring hockey at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

This particular style of spring hockey is great because there are no games.  Its all about preparing.  Its all about practicing skill.  Its all about building strength and power and hot, nasty bad ass speed. There is no travel, no hotels, no airports, not buses, and weekends are off.  This is our bread and butter time of year to make the players better as individuals.

Below is a video clip from a spring practice for the last week of April.

For the spring we are using a 4 day per week strength and conditioning program.  Also, we have 2 on ice session per week dedicated to skill development.  In a typical week Monday has speed and plyo progressions followed by strength training and ended with cardiovascular endurance training.  Tuesday is off ice warm ups on the slideboards with the skating coach followed by on ice skating and puck handling and finally plyo progressions and strength training.  Wednesday is off from training.  Thursday is slideboards, on ice, and plyo and strength training again.  Friday is plyo progression and strength training followed by cardiovascualr training.

I am not sure who said it, but I like the quote, "The will to win is meaningless without the will to prepare."