What We Believe
We believe in, and are committed to “Individual Attention” for each player in our program. 2 on-ice sessions a day (2 ½ hours of ice time) focusing on individual skill development, ensuring that each player reaches their full potential. Over 100 skill sessions, 100 team practices, and 60 games ensure optimal player development.
Focused Attention
Priority One:
To be an elite hockey player, you need to be an elite skater. Our program will work to improve your skating on a daily basis, focusing on edge work, speed, stride and transitioning.
Skill Development:
In addition to skating, we will also focus on individualized skill development. Each player will be assessed and then challenged by our staff to work on areas of their game that are keeping them from reaching their full potential. Skill sessions will focus on the areas of the game that will improve their Hockey IQ, skating, scoring, passing and defending. Our primary on-ice goal is to improve individual players’ weaknesses and help them reach the next level of their game.
Going Above and Beyond:
In addition to our two scheduled ice sessions per day, our shooting bay and skating treadmill can be used by our players throughout the day when not in the classroom. Additionally, open ice will be available for players who want additional ice time to work on their areas or improvement.
One-On-Ones:
Each player will have a personal one-on-one meeting with a coach, or staff member, every week. Discussions will include on ice performance, classroom work, off ice works outs, as well as personal and spiritual accountability. Players will know that they are fully supported by our staff in every area of their lives.
Daily Practice:
Daily on ice team sessions are high tempo practices designed to push our players both physically and mentally to their limits. Our belief is that practices should be harder than games, and that by monitoring each player’s output through a heart rate monitor will ensure maximum effort for every player.
Mental Performance Training:
Mental Performance Training will be a part of our weekly routine for both our team as well as individual players. This will be conducted by both our staff as well as experts that are brought to the Academy to work with our players.
Video Review:
Our ability to use advanced technology to improve individual players is a big part of our program. We believe that showing players what they do well and what they need to work on through video is an extremely powerful teaching technique. Skill sessions, team practices and games will be recorded and broken down with players to show strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, our partnership with Senaptec, the global leader in visual and mental processing training will benefit our players by improving their physical and mental performances through the Senaptec Sensory station and strobes.
Off-Ice Training:
Off ice strength training will be designed by our strength coach, with each player receiving an individualized program created and tailored for that player, based on age, body type, position and ability. Like the rest of our program, one size does not fit all, and our ability to customize a routine for each player sets our program apart from others.
What We Believe
Hockey is about transformation, character development, and building men, not primarily outcome and performance.
Players should be encouraged and transformed into better men by their coaches, built up and not broken down.
Playing the game should not create anxiety but rather enjoyment.
Growth happens when we push ourselves to excellence within a Christ-centered environment
Athletics gives us the opportunity to put into practice what we learn in the classroom in regards to our core values.
