Recently, I was asked to contribute my input into an article, by Kevin Hopson, on goaltending that was to be featured in Center Ice Magazine on line. The article titled Shutting Out the Competition, just went online today and can be found at http://www.centericemagazine.com/.
This was a first for me and I must say it is an honor to be asked for input into something like this. It's good to see a youth player being featured in this way. All too often too much emphasis is placed on a goaltender stopping shots and the skills that go into providing the fundamental base of being able to stop a shot correctly get lost. Additionally, other skills such as positioning, rebound control, and the mental aspects of the position go unaddressed. In Kevin Hopson's article Shutting Out the Competition, I address this: goaltending is more about mental ability than physical ability the higher in the game one goes. By the time a goaltender gets to junior hockey, the goalies that make teams, play the big games, and continue to move on are the ones that not only possess solid fundamental skills but also the mental discipline and toughness to play at a high level consistently, bounce back from goals they give up, control their rebounds, and battle hard to make every save.
It's a good article and a quick read. I hope that you'll check it out.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Player Spotlight-Spenser Brown
Spenser Brown, Goaltender Idaho Jr. Steelheads WSHL from Lafayette, IN
Spenser is off to a tremendous start for the expansion Idaho Jr. Steelheads. To date, Spenser is among the top WSHL goalies posting a 5-1 record with a GAA of 2.11 and a SV% of 91%!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Options, Options, and More Options
With the start of a new hockey season right around the corner, it's never too early for players to think about where they want to go. Now is a great time to start to identify goals to work towards through the course of the season. Reaching your goals is all about options.
Most players want to continue to play the game beyond the level they are currently at. However, in many cases, they don't know where they what that means or how to get there. The best thing players and parents can do to start this process is to educate themselves on what possible options are out there. There are tons of places to play these days and it is important to look around, see what is out there, and what interests you.
Depending on a player's age and skill level that could mean, high level midget hockey, prep school, juniors, or college. The Internet is a great place to gather info on teams at these levels. Most leagues and teams have a web presence. You can also check out the links section of www.fiveholehockey.net for links to USA Hockey sanctioned junior leagues and ACHA and NCAA hockey links. After getting an idea of what is out there it is time for a player and their parents to identify teams they are interested in and begin looking for ways to get in front of those coaches. For example, many junior teams attend showcase and prospects camps during the season and in the spring. This is a great way for a player to pursue options. It is important to remember that your first choice may not work out and to keep your options open. As teams go through their tryout process and players filter down from one level to the next, you never know when you may be in need of a fallback option. In the end, the key factor is finding the place that works for you...the place where you get the coaching and playing time you need to develop and continue in the pursuit of your goals.
Most players want to continue to play the game beyond the level they are currently at. However, in many cases, they don't know where they what that means or how to get there. The best thing players and parents can do to start this process is to educate themselves on what possible options are out there. There are tons of places to play these days and it is important to look around, see what is out there, and what interests you.
Depending on a player's age and skill level that could mean, high level midget hockey, prep school, juniors, or college. The Internet is a great place to gather info on teams at these levels. Most leagues and teams have a web presence. You can also check out the links section of www.fiveholehockey.net for links to USA Hockey sanctioned junior leagues and ACHA and NCAA hockey links. After getting an idea of what is out there it is time for a player and their parents to identify teams they are interested in and begin looking for ways to get in front of those coaches. For example, many junior teams attend showcase and prospects camps during the season and in the spring. This is a great way for a player to pursue options. It is important to remember that your first choice may not work out and to keep your options open. As teams go through their tryout process and players filter down from one level to the next, you never know when you may be in need of a fallback option. In the end, the key factor is finding the place that works for you...the place where you get the coaching and playing time you need to develop and continue in the pursuit of your goals.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Always Room for Improvement
Been working at a goalie camp this weekend which has me thinking about the need to not lose focus on skill development and improvement. This group of young goalies is taking some time in their offseason to work on specific skills that will help them become better goaltenders. While hockey players are a fortunate group of athletes in that the junior level provides additional time to develop and work towards pursuing the goals of becoming a college or pro level player, it seems that, at times, too much emphasis can be placed on playing in a specific league or for a specific team. When the focus shifts like this, a player opens the door to losing out on developmental opportunities.
An example could potentially be the trade off between choosing to be a 6 or 7 defensemen at the USHL level versus being a top 4 defensemen at the NAHL level. In many cases, ice time during games and in key situations in those games goes a long ways towards helping players develop their skills. The point being that in order for a player to attain their goals, a balance needs to be struck between playing at the highest level possible and receiving the playing time and developmental opportunities that are needed to improve. While the road to and through junior hockey can be bumpy, it is vitally important to ensure that skills sets continue to grow along the way. That is what will enable a player to reach their goals be it in college or pro hockey.
An example could potentially be the trade off between choosing to be a 6 or 7 defensemen at the USHL level versus being a top 4 defensemen at the NAHL level. In many cases, ice time during games and in key situations in those games goes a long ways towards helping players develop their skills. The point being that in order for a player to attain their goals, a balance needs to be struck between playing at the highest level possible and receiving the playing time and developmental opportunities that are needed to improve. While the road to and through junior hockey can be bumpy, it is vitally important to ensure that skills sets continue to grow along the way. That is what will enable a player to reach their goals be it in college or pro hockey.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
2009 Junior Prospects Camp Update
Well, its mid summer now and it has been an exciting time for many of the participants in our 2009 Junior Prospects Camp. Thank you to all the players, parents, teams, and the staff at the Forum at Fishers for making the 2009 camp the most successful camp to date. So far, over 90% of the players from the camp have received opportunities to pursue in junior hockey. I am pleased to see so many players pursuing their goals.
On a recent trip to Las Vegas, NV, I was pleased to see several Five Hole Camp participants on the ice with the Tri-City Storm. Way to go guys!
Recently the newspaper blog featured on the Minnesota Ice Hawks home page has featured several players from recent Five Hole Camps! This was tremendous to see.
Additionally, we are now seeing players beginning to solidify their roster spots in the USHL, NAHL, MNJHL, CSHL,and WSHL for the upcoming season. Updates will be posted on our website, www.fiveholehockey.net.
On a recent trip to Las Vegas, NV, I was pleased to see several Five Hole Camp participants on the ice with the Tri-City Storm. Way to go guys!
Recently the newspaper blog featured on the Minnesota Ice Hawks home page has featured several players from recent Five Hole Camps! This was tremendous to see.
Additionally, we are now seeing players beginning to solidify their roster spots in the USHL, NAHL, MNJHL, CSHL,and WSHL for the upcoming season. Updates will be posted on our website, www.fiveholehockey.net.
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