Category Archives: Columns
Chalk Talk: The road to junior hockey is not easy, but is rewarding
October 14th, 2016As young players are growing up, they are working towards playing at high levels of hockey through their youth days. When these players succeed at these levels, their new goal then becomes junior hockey. The junior hockey level is one of the hardest levels for a young hockey player to adapt to. A lot of…
Taking Liberties With… Ryan Massa
August 18th, 2016RYAN MASSA Position: Goaltender, Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) Hometown: Littleton Last Amateur Team: University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC) Youth Teams: Littleton Hawks, Colorado Thunderbirds, Colorado Rampage Littleton native Ryan Massa, who recently re-upped with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears for the 2016-17 season, is also carving out a niche as a goaltending coach in Omaha, Neb.,…
Chalk Talk: How to avoid the dangers of goaltenders over-training
August 3rd, 2016Summers are an enormous opportunity for growth and development of hockey players at all ages. The transition from endurance-based training becomes strength-based training as athletes are resting more and focusing more on off-ice training than on-ice. Summer training allows players to concentrate more on their skating abilities and puck handling skills without worrying that they’re…
Chalk Talk: Playing as a unit makes all the difference in the world
June 20th, 2016In hockey, the NHL sets a standard of play that trickles down to all levels of organized hockey. Sometimes an individual player in the NHL makes a play that is emulated by millions of youth players. As a coach, you tend to watch the style of play and ask two questions: What is making a…
Taking Liberties With… Quentin Shore
June 10th, 2016QUENTIN SHORE Position: Forward, University of Denver Hometown: Denver Age: 22 Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds Last Youth Team: Colorado Thunderbirds 18U AAA Last Junior Team: U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) Colorado Rubber: What advice do you have for a young hockey player and his/her parents? Quentin Shore: I think if you look at my…
Chalk Talk: Three common training pitfalls to avoid in the offseason
May 7th, 2016Many young athletes lack understanding of what offseason training should look like. This period must be planned and executed systematically for the most effective results and three things usually happen: overtraining, undertraining, lack of focus. Overtraining Many young hockey players can get carried away with the concept that “more is better.” I cannot emphasize enough…
Industry Profile: A.J. Boldan, PAC-8 Hockey
May 5th, 2016A.J. BOLDAN Hometown: Rochester, Minn. Resides: Salt Lake City, Utah Age: 36 Position/Organization: Executive Director, PAC-8 Hockey; President/GM/Assistant Coach, University of Utah Hockey Colorado Rubber: What’s your background in hockey, and how did you get to where you are today? A.J. Boldan: I went through the youth program in my hometown in Minnesota and graduated…
Taking Liberties With … Christian Heil
May 2nd, 2016CHRISTIAN HEIL Position: Forward, Colorado College Hometown: Westminster Age: 22 Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds Last Youth Team: Colorado Thunderbirds 18U AAA Last Junior Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) Colorado Rubber: What advice do you have for a young hockey player and his/her parents? Christian Heil: Hard work will be your greatest asset, both on and off…
Chalk Talk: There are always lessons to be learned from losing
April 27th, 2016Only a handful of teams across our state and continent get to end their season on a win. For the other 99 percent, it means one of the dirtiest words in sports: losing. In 25 seasons of hockey, both as a player and as a coach, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of a…
Taking Liberties With … Calvin Pickard
March 24th, 2016CALVIN PICKARD Position: Goaltender, Colorado Avalanche Hometown: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Age: 23 Height/Weight: 6-feet, 200 pounds Last Amateur Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) Drafted: Colorado’s second-round pick (49th overall) in 2010 NHL draft Colorado Rubber: What advice do you have for a young hockey player and his/her parents? Calvin Pickard: Just to stay positive. Play…