The Inside Post

Synthetic ice is a versatile at-home hockey surface that not only provides an opportunity for off-ice skating practice, but also is critical for players wanting to build other hockey skills while wearing skates. In this week's article, we highlight three common reasons we hear from customers about why synthetic is critical to their training.

While there is no "one size fits all" solution for installing a hockey shooting tarp, we have learned best practices after selling thousands of tarps over the past twenty years. In this article, we highlight the top factors for a family to consider as part of their top installation plan to get your new product hanged and ready for years for enjoyment.   

As the game of hockey has evolved so too have the seasons of the game. Today’s players are not only invested heavily in the game during the winter and the ‘traditional’ season, but also the second season – the summer months. To what degree a player spends time working on their game during the ‘second’ or ‘off-season’ should be driven by their individual motivation, and if they have it, there are plenty of options available.

The NHL playoffs is a special time of year, with harder hits, amazing passes and players reaching for their last bit of strength and energy to keep their seasons alive. These are also inspiring moments for up-and-coming players and fans. Enjoy the action, but why not shoot some pucks during intermission to visualize yourself being in those games in a few years.

Young athletes have decisions to make about whether to play other sports during the spring/summer months, or stay focused on hockey. In this week's article we discuss both sides, with the ultimate goal of helping your athlete develop physically, mentally, and preserve their love for hockey.

Successful training during the off season is on the minds of many, but truly accomplished by only a few. Why? Because most players start out well intended with plenty of motivation and skills to work on, but as the days and weeks go by they get distracted and the priority to practice falls off. So what can you do to make the most out of your off season training? Here are 5 tips that will help you stick to your plan, accomplish your goals and improve your skills.

Every player on the ice has a role in playing defense, regardless of your position. Knowing where to stand, who to cover, and how best to disrupt and reduce their chances will turn over pucks and create more chances for your team. Our founder and former NHL defenseman, Coach Lance, shares his top-5 defensive tips in this week's article. 

The best athletes in hockey are generally those who can excel at other sports as well.  While hockey-specific skills are definitely important, consider how playing other sports can help refine your hand-eye coordination, footwork, reaction times, balance and other movement to improve your on-ice performance. Coach Lance explores the topic further in this week's article.

Finding the best combination of players at each lines, with the right chemistry and balance, can be a difficult task as a coach. Often times takes months of trial and error until you find the ideal line combinations, and there might be some ugly games along the way. In this week's article, Coach Lance shares some of his philosophies that helped the youth teams he coached find their stride just in time for playoff push.