player tips

Hockey talent is evaluated on many skills including stickhandling, shooting and skating.  There are also the intangibles including work ethic, coachability, hockey smarts and confidence.

Often the fine line separating talent comes down to confidence, not only individually, but also as a team. With confidence comes poise and composure, and the ability to perform on the biggest stage under the most pressure. You have heard players and teams described as having ‘ice in their veins’. This characterization is earned, through talent, experience and perseverance.

Recently a team was down 3-2 late in the game and with their goalie pulled and their ‘go-to’ players on the ice, they tactically moved the puck around the offensive zone with precision. They didn’t force anything, but instead, waited for just the right opportunity to put the puck on net, and tying the game.

With the clock running down the final few seconds, the top scorer wound up with the puck and just like that, the game was tied. Less than 30 seconds into overtime that same team scored the game winner. Sure, this included a little puck luck, but it was clear to everyone in the building, including the opposition, that this team believed without a doubt that they would tie the game. The players on the ice believed wholeheartedly that they were destined to tie, and ultimately win the game.

Not only did the team have the confidence, but individually, the players knew that they had the skill and the will to win. The players knew that all of the hard work and practice time spent shooting extra pucks, working on powerskating, stickhandling and shooting was going to pay off. They absolutely believed that they could achieve.

As the playoffs approach for this 2025 season, do you believe that you will achieve? Both individually and as a team? And once that final buzzer sounds signaling the end of the season, do you believe that you can set goals, work hard this summer and hit the ice next season as a bigger, stronger, more skilled hockey player?

We invite you to take your game to the next level at one of our hockey schools located in 13 states this summer.  We know that with some great instruction, hard work and dedication, we can help make you a believer, and an achiever!

Thanks for reading and good luck the rest of your 2025 hockey season!

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!

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! 

Picking out the perfect summer hockey camp can be as fun as picking out the perfect gift!

Our summer 2025 hockey camps are located in 13 states and include the skill development training that youth hockey players need to take their game to the next level. Check out our 2025 locations and take advantage of our Early Bird Special, just in time for the Holidays!

Summer Hockey Camps in Alaska

We absolutely love our summer hockey camps in Alaska at the McDonald Center in Eagle River, UAA Seawolf Sports Complex in Anchorage and the Patty Ice Arena in Fairbanks. In addition to providing excellent on-ice instruction these locations have provided some memorable off-ice experiences – including wildlife encounters – and more! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey Camps in Connecticut

Summer Hockey School at South Windsor Ice Arena in South Windsor, CT is one of our most popular camps! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey Camps in Illinois

We have four summer hockey schools in Illinois including Addison Arena in Addison, North Shore Ice Arena in Northbrook, American Heartland Arena in Lincolnwood and Canlan Ice Sports in Romeoville, Illinois. For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey Camps in Massachusetts

Our home state! We have something for everyone when it comes to summer hockey in Massachusetts, including: Ed Burns ice Arena in Arlington, NESV in Attleboro, Raymond Bourque Arena in Beverly, Canton Ice House in Canton, Valley Sports Arena in Concord, Pirelli Veterans Arena in Franklin, Valley Forum Haverhill in Haverhill, Pilgrim Skating Center in Hingham, Hyannis Community Center in Hyannis, The Bog Ice Arena in Kingston, New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Essex Sports Center in Middleton, Chase Arena in Natick, Hockeytown USA in Saugus and O’Brien Arena in Woburn! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in Michigan

This summer we’ll be at the Lakeshore Sports Centre in Muskegon! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in Missouri

Join us at the Maryville University Hockey Center in Chesterfield! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in New Hampshire

The Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hooksett is an awesome host for our summer hockey camp in New Hampshire! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in New Jersey

We have a great option for summer hockey camp in New Jersey at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township, NJ! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in New York

Tim Horton’s IcePlex in Rochester and Three Rivers Athletic Complex in Baldwinsville are home to our 2025 summer hockey camp in New York! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey Camp in Pennsylvania

We have two options for training and summer hockey school in Pennsylvania including Hatfield Ice in Colmar and the Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem. For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in Rhode Island

Boss Ice Arena in Kingston is the host for youth hockey players looking to take their game to the next level at summer hockey camp in Rhode Island! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey School in Vermont

We love our camps in Vermont at Cairns Arena in South Burlington, Spartan Arena in Rutland and Union Arena in Woodstock! For more information click here. 

Summer Hockey Camp in Virginia

The Chilled Ponds Arena in Chesapeake is home to our summer hockey school in Virginia! For more information click here. 

We invite you to train with us at one of our summer hockey camps in 2025 and through the holiday season, we are offering a 10% Early Bird discount! Have a safe and happy Holiday Season!