Category Archives: Columns
From the Trainer’s Room: What you need to know about in-season hockey training
November 11th, 2016The youth hockey season can be a grind with many clubs playing upwards of 50-60 games, not to mention all of the practices, lessons and travel. A proper in-season strength and conditioning program is vital in staying healthy and maintaining performance throughout the year. The program must be built around the team- or individual-specific needs,…
Taking Liberties with… Rhett Rakhshani
October 19th, 2016RHETT RAKHSHANI Position: Forward, Malmo Redhawks (Swedish Hockey League) Hometown: Huntington Beach Last Amateur Team: University of Denver (then of the WCHA) Youth Team: California Wave California Rubber: What is your favorite hockey memory growing up? Rhett Rakhshani: Winning Bantam Nationals in 2003, beating Shattuck (St. Mary’s) in the final. Jeff Turcotte was my coach….
Chalk Talk: The two most important questions a coach should ask
October 19th, 2016“Did you learn anything?” “Did you have fun?” These are the two most important questions coaches should ask their players from Mites to Midgets, house to AAA and beyond. If you aren’t learning and having fun doing it, you’re in the wrong place. Players who skate for me in private and team settings—competitively, recreationally, at…
From The Trainer’s Room: Flexibility and mobility not the same thing
October 14th, 2016Flexibility and mobility typically get mistaken as the same thing, but they are very different. Flexibility is the range of motion of a single joint or the ability of a single joint to move freely. Mobility is the ability of one or more joints to move freely during movements. According to Mike Robertson of the…
Taking Liberties With… Matthew Caito
August 13th, 2016MATTHEW CAITO Position: Defenseman, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Hometown: Coto de Caza Last Amateur Team: Miami University (NCHC) Youth Teams: Costa Mesa Comets, Anaheim Jr. Ducks, L.A. Selects California Rubber: What is your favorite hockey memory growing up? Matthew Caito: One of my favorite memories was during Bantam AAA. In the state championship game, we…
Chalk Talk: Light on California girls hockey has never been brighter
August 10th, 2016California girls hockey is growing like never before and in places you wouldn’t believe. After 15-plus years searching out young female players and growing this sport for girls at the grassroots level, the Lady Ducks have hit a new threshold of 14 girls teams for the coming season. This lead to recognition at last month’s…
From The Trainer’s Room: Off-ice training for goalies should be relevant, challenging
August 5th, 2016Off-ice training plays a vital role in the development of hockey players. USA Hockey follows the Long Term Athletic Development principles as the basis of their program. These principles will assist in creating a more consistent training regimen. Today’s training programs should not be based on how hard the program is, but what goals are…
Taking Liberties With… Soren Jonzzon
July 6th, 2016SOREN JONZZON Position: Forward, Quinnipiac University (ECAC Hockey) Age: 24 Hometown: Mountain View Last Amateur Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) Youth Teams: San Jose Jr. Sharks, Santa Clara Blackhawks, California Cougars, Belmont Rangers California Rubber: What advice do you have for a young hockey player and his/her parents? Soren Jonzzon: My advice for young players is…
Chalk Talk: To play junior hockey, ask questions, make smart choices
July 1st, 2016During the past two months, I have traveled across the U.S. scouting for junior teams and during that time, I have watched over 500 players (1996-2001 birth years), two USHL combines, three NAHL combines, two top prospect tournaments and numerous Junior A and AAA hockey games. The states and the players change, but the thing…
From The Trainer’s Room: Single-leg exercises can be used to improve performance
June 1st, 2016For ages, the squat was the most widely used exercise to improve lower body strength. As the strength and conditioning profession has evolved, the emphasis has switched to single-leg exercises to improve strength, power, stability and performance. Single-leg strengthening will improve strength in the hips more effectively and this increase in stability will help prevent…