Parents take a peek. An education and degree is like Winning the cup anything after that is bonus pic.twitter.com/F0vuvWjSes
— Cam Stewart (@CamStewart21) May 16, 2018
Cam Stewart, from Toronto, is currently the Director of Player Development KOSPORTS INC, NHL Alumni, University of Michigan Alumni,...
"YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY SHOULD BE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS"
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This is an interesting article where the Topher Scott writes a letter to Youth Hockey. Topher's message to hockey:
"You gave me life-long friends, a tireless work ethic, a dream…but most importantly, you taught me lessons that I use every day as I try to live a happy, meaningful, fulfilling life."
However, then Topher discusses several things that need to improve. Things that have evolved since he was a kid, and are diminishing the ability to help kids grow and develop a love for the game. He gives 5 great suggestions on what needs to change to aid a child's development and passion for the game. It isn't all about exposure and playing at the highest level.
"If a kid is good, THEY WILL BE FOUND. And it is because of their work ethic, a consistent improvement in their abilities, and high level of character."
"You gave me life-long friends, a tireless work ethic, a dream…but most importantly, you taught me lessons that I use every day as I try to live a happy, meaningful, fulfilling life."
However, then Topher discusses several things that need to improve. Things that have evolved since he was a kid, and are diminishing the ability to help kids grow and develop a love for the game. He gives 5 great suggestions on what needs to change to aid a child's development and passion for the game. It isn't all about exposure and playing at the highest level.
"If a kid is good, THEY WILL BE FOUND. And it is because of their work ethic, a consistent improvement in their abilities, and high level of character."
The Downside of Year-Round Hockey
Ottawa Senators strength coach warns of declining athleticism among youth.
In this article, by the National Post, Chris Schwarz talks about the lack of athleticism among our youth, even including some elite hockey players who didn’t play other sports or freelance in the playgrounds as children.
“I get kids here, and they missed this stage, because they’re not catching, running, throwing. They don’t process it. They can’t be creative. … you flick a puck over their heads, they can’t react, because they never caught a football that way.” |
NHL Stars Get Creative |
A must watch video! The kids will love it! |
STOP PLAYING HOCKEY!
Advice from former NHL players to young players today. Give yourself a break from hockey.
The coaching staff for the Okanagan Jr. Bombers firmly believe that kids should not limit themselves to one sport at this young age. Many of our players participate in in other sports such as soccer, lacrosse, golf, and football.
In this video, put out by ProSmart Hockey, former NHL players and current broadcasters, Todd Warriner and Mike Johnson, discuss the value of not playing hockey for 12 months of the year. What other sports do your kids play in the off-season? Try something else - Play something else - Become an athlete
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The Players TRibune
Hockey players talk about it takes to be an elite player. What qualities their opponents have that make them tough to play against.
These articles are written by player, for players. There are several video clips throughout to elaborate on what they are saying.
These articles are written by player, for players. There are several video clips throughout to elaborate on what they are saying.
Contributer: Kevin Shattenkirk
Part One: Kevin discusses what it is like playing against Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Duncan Keith. Part Two: Kevin continues with discussing more players like P.K. Subban, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Alex Pietrangelo. |
Contributer: Jonathan Quick
Read about what makes elite snipers difficult to deal with for goalies. Jonathan talks about having to defend his net against players like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Pavel Datsyuk, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane. |
Contributor: Logan Couture
Read about what it is like playing against elite centremen Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar, Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Getzlaf, and Henrik Sudin. |
Parents and Coaches in Youth HockeyMessage from Coach Kent:
This is a You Tube video from my college coach giving a speech about parents and coaches in youth hockey. Out of all my coaches in all the years I played Coach Lucia is the one I remember and cherish the most. I had a lot of good coaches along the way but I would say Coach Lucia's style and philosophy had the most influence on me as a player. Every parent and coach should take a listen. |
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Little Buddy is in this camp and that camp and this team and that team... he is going places...
An interesting perspective on the kid who is on the ice 12 months a year--the "best of the best" versus the kid who is just happy to be there...
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You just might be a hockey parent if...A humourous look on the realities of being a hockey parent.
Based on Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be a Redneck if..." |
The Pros and Cons of Spring Hockey |
This article was written by Ryan Walter who played 15 years in the NHL. He never played spring hockey. He stresses that those athletes that don't play spring do not get left behind--that is a myth. We must look at the philosophy of the coaching staff--particularly the head coach to determine if the spring hockey team is a good fit for our athlete. Before putting your young athlete in spring hockey, ask yourself the following:
"Will this spring league experience not only help my son/daughter become a better hockey player, but also a better person?" |
An Elite Athlete Has a Multisport BackgroundThis article discusses the importance of participating in multiple sports as a child. You will read the views of coaches, elite athletes, medical experts and sports scientists.
"To be an elite level player at a college or professional sport, you need a degree of exceptional athleticism. And the best medically, scientifically and psychologically recommended way to develop such all around athleticism is ample free play and multiple sport participation as a child."
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The Numbers
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Attention Coaches and Parents:
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IT'S ALL ABOUT THE APPLE JUICE...
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This article was published in the Toronto Sun. It was written by a Minor Hockey coach who had an epiphany about children't hockey at the end of a play-off game. EVERY parent should read this!
Problems in Youth SportsThis is a this well written article that discusses a major problem that we are dealing with in sports today--it has already started at the tender age of 10! The views of this article strongly correlate with the views of our coaching staff for our team.
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Message from Coach Kent:
Aside from all of the research proving one sport athletes are more prone to injury, we seem to have forgotten the reasons our kids are playing sports in the first place. From a professional hockey player to a multi-sport beer league playing adult, I thank my parents and coaches for letting me play every sport I could in my youth.
We can put our children on a road to somewhere, one paved with balanced childhoods, exploration, enjoyment, and yes, multiple sports!
Aside from all of the research proving one sport athletes are more prone to injury, we seem to have forgotten the reasons our kids are playing sports in the first place. From a professional hockey player to a multi-sport beer league playing adult, I thank my parents and coaches for letting me play every sport I could in my youth.
We can put our children on a road to somewhere, one paved with balanced childhoods, exploration, enjoyment, and yes, multiple sports!