Ep.199 | The Business of Hockey, Hockey Schools, & Making Money - PowerTech Development Podcast

[@SirJaymesDAudelée]

Last season my brother put my nephews in a skills thing, and I took them a few times. So I’m watching this “skills coach” demonstrate a drill that compounded several basic techniques. He skates up to a pylon, stops on two edges, C-cuts into backward crossovers around the pylon, pivots-once he’s around the pylon-back to forward skating. These kids are 10 and under, and it’s clear they do not have these skills as yet. Maybe one or two of 15 kids managed to complete even a part of that drill. Most skated up to the pylon, stop in whatever way they could, look confused for a second, then simply move on. Coach demonstrates again, this time with a bit of frustration in his voice, yet I already knew this was going to be useless. Sure enough the majority of the kids managed almost nothing of his demonstration-no marked improvement second try. I don’t think you need to be a coach to understand that fundamentals need to be learned before we string them together into a compounded series of techniques, am I wrong about that? Not that I’m anybody, but if I noticed that none of the kids could stop properly, I’d rewind things and help them learn to stop-for example-before moving on to doing drills of which stopping a constituent part. And yet I surmised the coach didn’t get this, or wasn’t interested. It almost seemed like he was using this opportunity not so much to teach kids as a primary goal, but to show the world how cool the drills were that he created. And thus his frustration that the kids could not do them. I asked the basic question: why not just pay for a cheap membership to hockeycanada.ca and download the training guidelines? Simple. Easy. Coach wearing a helmet and visor during practice is a red flag for me. Call me shallow, but it’s the truth, unless it’s mandatory rink rules. I’d rather change rinks if that were the case. I left with my nephews feeling like my brother was completely wasting his money. And I’m sure he is. And so it’s a breath of fresh air to listen to you guys and know that you are here in Windsor, where we are also. Perhaps I will look into your programs for my nephews. Cheers. And thank you for taking the time to share your expertise and again for basing yourselves in the Windsor area. I grew up playing hockey here in Windsor, Riverside, and LaSalle respectively. The Spitfires were garbage back then save the year they lost to Medicine Hat, and there was nothing great about hockey in the area at that time. So this community really needs you guys, IMO. I moved to Toronto at age 20, and immediately noticed the difference in access to ice there-even the free outdoor rinks that dot the GTA, were like stepping into a new hockey world. It’s easy to see why the GTA produces so many great players when kids of all ages can play and practice with their club teams and then still play for hours a day free on those outdoor rinks-which they do. Now I’m back here, and it’s just refreshing to see a high quality option available for Windsor kids. 🙏 Sorry for writing so much, lol.

[@cglasford1]

as to you point about the helmet. It could be the rink rule but if it is sanctioned by Hockey Canada or USA Hockey, helmets are required for all coaches. Visors are not.

[@joeryan3390]

I’ve noticed the kids that actually pay attention to the demonstration are the ones that catch on to the drills. My son struggles with this. It is the only rule I have for him when he is on the ice is pay attention. Some kids frig around with pucks in the line or have their head down during the demonstration. And they miss out. I also think that any time on the ice is something. No loss to the kids. Yes there are things I’d do different in some of the practices but I also choose not to be a coach and I accept what the volunteers are offering.

[@cglasford1]

@@joeryan3390 I'm not sure truer words have ever been spoken ! As a player, coach and hockey dad I can't agree more. Those that pay attention are typically the best players, they are usually at the front of the line and they are working to improve. They might not get the drill the first time but it usually clicks way faster. However the big thing I will agree with from the OP is that if I'm sending my sons to a camp I want to see low player to coach ratio so that if my kid or another kid isn't getting it, they can get the 1 on 1 attention they need to help them get it. Otherwise I see little benefit from the camp but you are right any time on the ice is beneficial on some level. For my kids we have 3 rules pay attention/listen to the coach, work hard and have fun.

[@joeryan3390]

@@cglasford1 I just had my son in Andrew’s Hockey Camp in PEI in July and they had 1 instructor, 4 assistants and two fully dressed demonstrators. They always helped out the kids. I was so happy with that camp.

[@cglasford1]

@@joeryan3390 that sounds like a great camp!

[@Paulthegoalie51]

Try being a goalie going to skills camps. We just get shot at a million times and no one tells you anything. I only go to goalie specific camps mostly now.

[@cglasford1]

yes this is a huge problem in all of youth hockey IMHO. As an ex-goalie and now a youth coach I make sure that my practices include a goalie specific time slot where I can work on them specifically, so they are not just a shooting target. The issue is most coaches have no clue what to do with the goalie or how to help them. On top of that most associations only have maybe 1-2 people that really have any clue. One nice thing here in MN is that more and more associations are starting to offer free weekly 1 hour goalie clinics, where they hire the High School Goalie coaches to come by and work with the kids and coaches if they want.

[@evolutionXXVII]

Do you guys have any thoughts on the value of stick n' pucks?

[@cglasford1]

how much does it cost where you live? its like $5 here so I would say its a great value to get ice time. Bring a couple buddies, maybe a goalie and work on some stuff. Basically the ODR which IMHO is the most beneficial thing you can possibly do as a hockey player. Listening to the pros, that is one of the common threads they all talk about is spending countless hours on the ODR just playing with buddies and having fun. Free Play is one of the most powerful learning tools IMHO

[@evolutionXXVII]

@@cglasford1 Wow $5? I'm in Brooklyn and it's $30. Glad to hear you think it's worth it. Seems like the one thing that's totally missing from these kids' hockey diet.

[@cglasford1]

@@evolutionXXVII yeah I mean fun and unsupervised play is missing from a lot of young athletes diets. everything is super structured and organized. I'm probably lucky because I live in MN and we have ODRs everywhere so as long as the weather cooperates there are plenty of opportunities to get out and skate and I also live with in 30ish mins of probably 30 ice arenas, that's why its affordable $2-10/hr for open skate, open hockey and stick and puck.

[@Skulliandrum]

Shinny rarely happens anymore...can get a bit crazy..random people show up..no coaches or refs..different skill levels and ages lol recipe for disaster in certain city rinks

[@cglasford1]

@@Skulliandrum it actually happens a lot still here in MN. ODR sticks in the middle, hockey finder open hockey or some rinks still run open hockey skates. There is a standing open hockey on Thursdays in my home rink. It can be very drastic in level but most people that show up played at least high school hockey but sometimes you get ex jr, college or even pros. It’s awesome and the true spirit of hockey and what makes it such a great sport. Beer leagues are fun but too much commitment for me. That’s a bummer that shinny or pick up doesn’t happen much in your area.