player tips

This season the NHL has treated us to some great play both individually and as a team.

The Boston Bruins recently set a new NHL single-season record with 63 wins. In the record-clinching game, Bruins forward David Pastrnak netted a hat trick, which gave him 60 goals on the season. Only Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers has more, with 64.

The 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings and 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning both had 62 win seasons. With the win, Boston has 131 points so far on the season, second only to the  Montreal Canadiens who had 132 points in 1976-77. Another record soon to be broken.

When Pastrnak joined McDavid at the 60-goal mark, it is the first time since 1995-96 that two players did so in the same year. Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr both hit 60 during that 1995-95 season.

So when it comes to these amazing accomplishments, what does it take to reach a record, and better yet, to break one?

“Staying focused” is something Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery talked about after the record setting win. And staying focused is also something that youth hockey players need to remember as they pursue their own development, and even perhaps a record one day.

We’ve talked in past articles about youth hockey development being a marathon rather than a sprint. Setting goals and staying focused on long terms goals is a key ingredient to this success.

As you gear up for your summer hockey training, take the time to write down your goals. Evaluate areas of your game that need improvement. Once you have that list and skills identified, take to the ice to get better and work hard in these very specific areas.

And if you do, maybe one day you too will be part of a record setting team!

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you at the rink this summer. Our Summer Hockey Schools have limited availability at select locations, for dates and details, click here!