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player tips

27

January

Are you Gr8 at a Skill?

Posted by Greg Carter

Watching the great number 8 chase the all-time NHL goal scoring record held by “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky is historic.

Only 20 goals separate Alex Ovechkin (875 goals as of Jan. 27) from Gretzky’s once untouchable record of 894.

While a youth hockey player can only dream of being as great as “The Great One” and “The Great 8,” being high skill in any area of the game, at any level, is something all hockey players should strive for!

We’ve talked in past articles about great goal scorers and tips on scoring more goals. Whether it’s skating, passing, shooting or scoring, being great at a fundamental skill takes hard work and dedication.

Setting goals is the first step in mastering a skill. All great skaters spend more time on their power skating than average skaters. All great passers spend more time practicing passing than good passers. All great goal scorers shoot more pucks than the good ones.

As we watch Ovi chase the highest level of greatness, set your own goals on how you are going to go from good to great. Whether it’s increasing your goals from 10 to 15, assists from 25 to 30, or becoming a better skater, being great at a skill is . . . GREAT! Being great and more than one skill is double GREAT!

Thanks for reading and consider attending one of our summer hockey schools to help reach your greatness! With locations in 13 states, our talented staff is ready to help take your game to the next level!

17

January

Don’t Think You Ever Deserve It

Posted by Greg Carter

When choosing a summer hockey camp, consider this sage advice from Rip at the Dutton Ranch to the young boy Carter. What does it have to do with youth hockey? Actually, quite a bit.

The best hockey teams have talent, they are selfless and play as a team, they have a burning desire to win and above all, they possess a super strong work ethic.

Several of our Pro Tips articles have focused on Doing The Little Things that end up making a big difference. To Beat You I’m Going To Out Work You is great advice about staying focused and to never quit learning, developing skills and working hard. Said another way, the best players aren’t ever satisfied and always have an appetite for more. 

Whether hitting the ice for the first practice after making the team or scoring a big goal to get to the championship game, the best players understand that once ‘they have arrived’ that is when the work really begins. Great players don’t think they deserve anything. Great players are never satisfied. Nothing is given and everything is earned.

Some of the best players that I have coached over the years are also the players that are the most excited when they make the team. And not just because they made the team, but more importantly, because they are one step closer to becoming a better player. These are the players that show up everyday, work hard on skill development and never take their position on the team for granted.

Perhaps it is said best by these two great quotes from hockey players:

Jack LaFontaine, a former NCAA hockey player who signed a rare, mid-season contract to leave the college ranks to play professionally. “I just got a ticket to the dance, so now it’s time to come work even harder.

When NHL’er Nate Prosser announced his retirement, he said of playing in the top league in the world “Every day was a tryout.”

Just like Rip told Carter, if you want to last, don’t think you ever deserve it.

Thanks for reading and we invite you to train with us this summer at one of our summer hockey school’s located in 13 states. Our Pro Staff will provide instruction using The CARTER Method to help players reach their full potential. 

If you are a player that is never satisfied and always looking to get better, we’ve got a great training program for you! 

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