Summer training has perhaps never been more important as more and more players realize the benefits of improving throughout the offseason. From youth organizations up through the NHL, skating and having peak physical performance have become a highly sought-after commodity.
"The biggest difference today is the information available for athletes. They can determine fact versus fiction. I was one of the first guys with an NHL team 29 years ago. Now most teams have one," said Paul Vincent, who works for the Florida Panthers as well as his own company, Paul Vincent Hockey.
As one of the leaders in the industry and a revolutionary in the power skating game, Vincent knows as well as anyone the significance of developing your stride and skating.
"There are several keys to improving your stride," said Vincent, who works out many of the region’s top pro, college, prep, high school and junior players. "Stride length and frequency equals speed. Focus on connecting here and doing it until they do it right. Being athletic, not too robotic and strength training are also key."
With an increased priority on skating and advances in technology, organizations have given everyone from players to coaches more resources for training.
"We have great partners inside the organization, such as our functional movement coach who I work closely with. Video and internet have allowed me to break it down and show the player comparisons to other players so they can see what an elite player does and factor that in," said Vincent.
"Most players are visual learners, and video and the ability to send clips to players to break it down side-by-side has helped," Vincent added.
Adding lower-body strength helps players become more explosive. That helps in getting out of the gates quickly. Almost any good player can get going once they’ve taken a few strides, but the first step is so important in getting to a loose puck.
Spending time in the weight room and focusing on the important aspects of improving one’s hockey core is essential, according to Minnesota Wild strength and conditioning coach Sean Skahan.
"What I think is most important for young hockey players in terms of getting better in the offseason is learning how to train properly with the best technique in everything that they do," said Skahan, a native of Quincy, Mass.
"The emphasis should be on improving speed, acceleration and strength while maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle," added Skahan, who worked with the Anaheim Ducks when that organization won the Stanley Cup in 2007.
Brian Flynn, a Lynnfield, Mass., native who plays for the Texas Stars in the American Hockey League, knows first hand how important training in the offseason is for a player’s development. After being a lethal offensive threat at the University of Maine, he was able to transform his game and improve his skating and 200-foot game to make it to the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens.
"Summer training is all about speed and strength. Every level of hockey you go up, the tempo of the game increases. It’s so important to be physically prepared so you can allow yourself to compete at your very best," said Flynn, who works out with renowned strength coach Mike Boyle in the summer months.
