09/17/2026
🏒 What Happens at Our Early Morning Hockey Sessions?
It was fantastic to see all of our athletes on the ice for our first session on Monday. We were impressed by the energy, effort, and positive attitudes throughout the morning!
As we begin another season, we wanted to take a few minutes to explain what you'll see at our sessions and why we structure our program the way we do.
🥅 Building Strong Fundamental Skills
Every great hockey player needs a strong foundation.
Most sessions begin with drills focused on skating, puck handling, shooting, and passing. These are the core skills that allow players to gain confidence, keep up with the pace of the game, and make a positive impact on the ice.
Some of our returning athletes may jokingly ask, "What starter drill are we doing today?" They're referring to the skating drills that have become staples of our program. We repeat these drills regularly because repetition is one of the most effective ways to develop and refine skills.
This portion of our sessions typically takes the first 30 to 40 minutes.
This year we have athletes entering their third season with us, alongside players who are brand new to the program. As we assess skill levels, you'll notice different variations of similar drills being used to ensure every skater is appropriately challenged and continues to progress.
🧠 Hockey Sense and Decision Making
Developing hockey skills is important.
Knowing how and when to use those skills during a game is even more important.
During our first year of programming, we noticed our athletes were becoming stronger skaters and more skilled with the puck, but they still needed opportunities to develop their hockey sense and decision-making abilities.
Did you know the average NHL player only has the puck on their stick for approximately 1 to 2 minutes during a game?
That means what players do away from the puck is critical to their success.
That's why the final 20 to 30 minutes of many sessions are dedicated to small-area games and game-like situations. These activities help athletes learn how to read the play, make smart decisions, create opportunities, support teammates, and use their skills effectively in real hockey situations.
💪 Learning Under Pressure
You may notice that we often add competition or pressure to our drills.
Practicing a skill in isolation is important, but players must also learn how to execute those skills when time, space, and decision-making become more challenging.
Adding pressure helps athletes bridge the gap between practice and game performance, increasing confidence when those situations arise during competition.
🌅 Why Early Mornings?
One question we occasionally receive is why we place such an emphasis on consistent early morning sessions.
The answer is simple: consistency creates improvement.
The best way to learn and develop a skill is through regular practice and repetition. By consistently working on key fundamentals, athletes have the opportunity to refine their technique, build confidence, and develop habits that carry over into games.
As players improve, we continue to challenge them through advanced progressions, increased competition, and more complex game situations. (And the ice is available to rent 😂)
🚀 Our Goal
Our goal is not simply to create better skaters.
Our goal is to help athletes become more complete hockey players by developing their skills, decision-making, confidence, work habits, and understanding of the game.
We're excited to watch our athletes grow throughout the season and appreciate the support from all of our families.
See you at the rink!
