Category Archives: Columns
From the Trainer’s Room: Recovering faster for the next game
May 25th, 2023As the summer tournament season begins to heat up, the frequency of games in a short period of time can become a concern. Athletes may play multiple games on the same day or weekend, which can take a toll on a player’s body, causing fatigue and soreness, leading to decreased performance and increased injury risk….
From the Trainer’s Room: Choosing the best strength training plan for you
May 18th, 2023Summer is here, and focus should be shifting to preparing for the next season, addressing any aches and pains, shoring up weaknesses, and bolstering strengths. A big part of that process includes a proper strength training program. There are many different theories on strength training, but one key is knowing why you are lifting weights….
From the Trainer’s Room: Rotational power, how it applies to hockey
May 9th, 2023The ability to produce rotational power is critical in nearly all sports, including ice hockey. You need rotational power to shoot, take faceoffs, change direction, and manage body contact of all types. There are many modalities that can be used to train “core” strength such as cables and bands. One of my favorite methods is…
From the Trainer’s Room: It’s all in the hips
April 27th, 2023I once heard a world-famous sports coach tell his pupil, “It’s all in the hips.” Of course, this was fictional golf legend Chubbs Peterson during the movie “Happy Gilmore” in 1996. Although a comedy about golf, these are wise words when it comes to hockey skating performance. The hockey player’s hips are their engine, but…
From the Trainer’s Room: Balancing your offseason
April 18th, 2023We have reached an exciting time of year. The NCAA Frozen Four produced wonderful games. Major inline tournament circuits are in full swing. The NHL playoffs are just beginning, and the draft is just around the corner. Unless you are living under a rock, every hockey fan probably knows who is expected to be drafted…
From the Trainer’s Room: Off-ice training for goalies
April 12th, 2023Off-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 by what goals…
From the Trainer’s Room: Improving your speed
April 4th, 2023The time for offseason hockey training is upon us. At this point of the year, the focus should shift to how we can improve and make gains for next season. Almost every hockey player I work with wants to get stronger and get faster. Following a proper training plan designed by a professional coach can…
From the Trainer’s Room: 5 reasons adults should exercise
March 28th, 2023Let’s chat about exercising as an adult. It’s not just about losing weight or changing how you look. That may be one of the many benefits, but let’s break down five top reasons why adults should exercise or include fitness in their daily lives. Prevention of daily aches/pains in the body As we age, our…
From the Trainer’s Room: Preventing groin injuries in hockey
March 22nd, 2023A successful hockey season filled with wins, goals, assists and enjoyment can be easily derailed with a groin strain. The groin musculature or adductor group is located on the inside of the thigh and brings the thigh back into the midline of the body. This is an important group of muscles during skating as they…
From the Trainer’s Room: Simple to complex – Building a program from the ground up
March 15th, 2023When building a sports performance program, rehab protocol, or even a sports practice, there has to be a start and finish. Where does it start? How does it progress? What are the goals? These are only a few questions that need to be answered when establishing proper protocols. Compete Sports Performance and Rehab has always…