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player tips

17

August

We are wrapping up another successful summer – our 27th! – of teaching youth hockey skills to players across the country, and what a summer it’s been! We have seen some incredible work ethic from players in all age and skill categories, all skating hard to become better hockey players.

It seems like with each passing summer the skills of youth hockey players continue to improve. Shot speed and accuracy. Edgework. Speed. Agility. Powerskating. Passion! 

And now with the 2021-22 youth hockey season just around the corner, it’s time to reflect on all of the skills you improved on over the summer. And, it’s time to put them to work!

For some players this means having the best tryouts you can. For others who are already on a team for the season, it means showing up the first day of practice primed and ready to go.

A few key questions to ask yourself prior to the season:

  • What skills did I need to improve on over the summer and did I achieve my goals?
  • What did I learn at summer hockey school that can help me contribute to my team this season?
  • What are my goals for this season for myself and my team?

We hope that you enjoy the final few weeks of summer and that everything you learned at summer hockey school translates into a successful season. Remember, success comes before work only in the dictionary! If you are the hardest working player on the team, great things will happen this season. 

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you at the rink again soon! 

Looking for more hockey instruction and tips from our Pro Staff? Check out our full library of Player Tips!

Greg Carter Hockey Camp

As youth hockey players plan their goals for training at summer hockey school, keep in mind these 3 key traits that are common among the best hockey players in their pursuit of greatness:

Passion

Many years ago at summer hockey camp we were running a drill focusing on edgework. It was a fairly technical skating drill and required players to concentrate on their inside and outside edges. After a few repetitions of the drill one player seemed to be just going through the motions. I skated over and asked that player if he knew why we were doing the drill. The response was ‘To finish it and get back in line to do it over again’. As I explained the purpose of the drill and importance of edgework, and how it fits into stride and great skating, I could see the lightbulb turn on. The better the stride, the faster the skater and potentially, the more goals he would score! Suddenly his passion for this technical drill exploded.

Practice and play with passion. 

Persistence

Continually working on becoming a better hockey player is a key to success. At summer hockey school we teach skills that once learned, can be repeatedly practiced throughout the year. We identify fundamentals that need improvement and focus on teaching – using the CARTER Method – the proper way to train. The best players are relentless in their pursuit of greatness and never give up trying to master a skill.

Be persistent and you will reach your goals! 

Patience

We have talked about the importance of patience many times in our Player Tips section of our website. There is no fast track to the “A” team and success definitely does not happen overnight. Hockey development is a marathon, not a sprint. If youth hockey players approach summer hockey school and each practice and game with passion and persistence they are well on your way to maximizing your full potential.

Stick to your goals, keep your eye on the prize and be patient!

Thank you for reading! As an official partner of Mass. Hockey, we invite you to train with us this summer at one of our hockey camps in cities across 11 states, including Concord, Massachusetts. Space is limited at most locations to be sure to claim your spot in the starting lineup before they’re gone!

12

May

In an effort to help our team focus on the moment a great coach once said that the season is going to fly by and that before you know it, it will be over. The days may grow long, but the weeks and months are short. And wow, the past season is gone and here we are facing the start of summer!

If you are like many hockey families, the final decision on summer hockey training and where and when to attend hockey school may still be a lingering conversation around the dinner table.

While we have talked in past articles that the early bird gets the worm and spring is commitment time, we are happy to let you know that most hockey schools we offer still have limited space!

We have also written articles about not letting FOMA drive your hockey training decisions and that players should evaluate their season and set goals. We hope that when you finally do make this all-important decision that you choose our hockey camp. 

Why choose our hockey camp?

Our family owned and operated camp has nearly three decades of experience running summer hockey schools. We love the game of hockey and we understand what it takes to develop the fundamental skills to elevate your game to the next level. 

We talk a lot about training “The CARTER Method” which is all about Control, Agility, Reflex, Technique, Edge and Retention. We offer the most on-ice instruction with the best results. 

As you countdown the final days of school and look forward to summer, we invite you to train with us at one of our hockey schools located in 11 states. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We are happy to answer any questions about skills, safety and your success!

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you at the rink!

13

April

Billy Was A Summer Hockey Superstar

Posted by Greg Carter
Summer Hockey Camp in Massachusetts

When parents drop their child off at summer hockey school they wonder a few things on the drive home; will they improve and will they make new friends? With any luck, they will both improve and also meet a kid just like Billy.  

It’s hard to remember the exact year, but it’s easy to recall the exact moment that he walked into the locker room. Billy was just one of those players that looked like he was going to be the best player on the ice. It turned out he was the best player on the ice. He was also the best player off the ice.

One of the great things about going to summer hockey school is that youth hockey players get to train with kids from outside of their club and community. When Billy announced in the locker room that he was from Canada the locker room went silent. Players sat staring, mouth wide-open, in disbelief. 

Then suddenly the locker room was full of kids mumbling in confusion. Half not really sure where Canada was, only having heard stories from their old man about the legendary players from this far away land. The other half just continued staring, convinced they were undoubtedly in the presence of the best youth hockey player on Earth. 

And then it happened, into the locker room walked Billy’s father. This was a man so grand in stature that no one dared say a word. He was not only in great physical shape with leg muscles larger than most tree trunks, but he had a face so intimidating and rough that you could strike a match on it. 

One of the camp instructors introduced him and the fact that he played in the NHL. One kid could be heard telling his buddy to shut up because he thought that Sammy’s dad was about to say something. And say something he did. 

With a smile on his face larger than any goal crease, he told everyone to enjoy the week and to welcome Billy because he didn’t really know anyone at camp. From that moment forward, it was game on.

We were right, Billy was an awesome hockey player. And an even better kid. He showed everyone moves that his dad had taught him. He skated faster than anyone. He shot harder than anyone. He worked harder than anyone. And best of all he smiled more than anyone.

I think every hockey player improved their skills that year at summer hockey school, in part because everyone wanted to be as good as Billy. This summer we hope your hockey player meets someone just like Billy and inspires them just as Billy did for us at camp so many years ago. 

After 26 years of summer hockey camps we always find special inspiration each week for the players. Sometimes that’s what it takes to bring their game to the next level.  We hope to inspire you this summer and invite you to train with us at one of our camps in 11 states. Check out our website for all of the dates and details! 

Thanks for reading! 

31

March

The ‘instant classic’ five overtime NCAA playoff game between North Dakota and Minnesota-Duluth ended with a dramatic goal from UMD’s fourth line. This line hadn’t seen much ice time in overtime, but these players stayed focused and kept their head in the game. And when they got their opportunity, they capitalized.

When your name is called, will you be ready?

Mental toughness is a big part of hockey. And at no time is it more important than tournament time when the season is on the line.

Championship teams are comprised of players who don’t focus on themselves, but instead keep their eye on the big prize and winning a championship for the team.

Both as a player and coach I’ve been a part of teams that have hoisted championship hardware. In each of these years there was a great mix of players who understood their role on the team. And perhaps more importantly, they accepted their role on the team!

Players work extremely hard during the off season at summer hockey schools to prepare for the big moments during the season. The endless hours of practice time during the season also prepares players to be at their peak when the championship is on the line.

The best players know that both will and skill combine to win big games. While it can be easy to lose focus when playing time gets reduced or one line sees more ice than another, it takes a team to win a championship.

This was never more evident than when UMD’s fourth line got put on the ice in a fifth overtime. With the season and a birth to the Frozen Four on the line. These players were locked and loaded and hit the ice with the energy and intensity as if they had been playing a regular shift all a game!

The next time the game is on the line, stay positive and stay focused. Keep your eye on the big prize because when your name is called and the puck is on your stick, you need to be ready to score that big goal!

Thanks for reading and good luck in your end of the season tournaments. We invite you to train with us this summer at one of our summer hockey camps located in 11 states. Click here for dates and locations!

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