Thursday, December 31, 2009

Hockey Warm Up Drills: Corners

Pre-Game Hockey Warm-Up Drill


The easiest drill to warm up before a game is the half-ice St.Louis simply known as 'corners'.

Once your goalie was been warmed up with a few easy shots, (try to avoid the goalie's head during warm up if at all possible. He is on YOUR TEAM after all.) simply yell 'CORNERS' and bang you stick on the ice if no one seems to be paying attention.

Players then divide in half and migrate to the two corners behind the net on your half of the ice. The first player - usually a keener, or the person that called the drill bursts out from the corner up the boards towards the blue line without a puck (green dot).

At the blue line, he crosses over the the middle of the ice and turns back towards the net and heads in on goal.

Once the green player cross the blue line, a player from the opposite corner (orange dot) then passes the green player the puck.

The player who just passed the puck (orange dot) then bursts up the boards on his side and cuts back into the middle, while the first player moves in on goal, shoots, and of course, scores.


The orange player then receives a pass from the next green player in the right corner.  The second green player then bursts up the wing and the drill repeats. The passing then alternates side to side. First you pass, then you skate (except for the very first player who start the drill.)

After you shoot you can line up again in whichever corner has the shortest line. Don't hang around behind the net or you might get plumelled by a wide shot.

Whenever your warming up before a game, don't bother practicing your deke. It does nothing to warm up your goalie, and may end up getting him fustrated. If you want to practice your deke before a game, get out first on the ice and practice on the empty net before your goalie gets in place.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Best Hockey Goals of 2009

2008-2009 Goals of the Year



Top 10 Goals - 2009 NHL Conference Finals





BEST HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2009 NHL PLAYOFFS MIX

Hockey Big Hits

Hockey's Biggest Hits



Best Hockey Hits



NHL's Hardest Hockey Hits!



Hockey Trivia:
Shea Weber in the only NHL player to finish in the top 10 for defencemen in both HITS and POINTS in 2008-09.

Old Hockey Players Wanted


Toronto doctor proposes brain bank to study hockey concussions

Canadian researchers are asking players to donate their brains after their deaths in order to gain a better understanding about head trauma.

The neurosurgeon is leading a team of researchers at Toronto Western Hospital who are asking NHL and other competitive hockey players to donate their brains after their deaths for a new research project aimed at understanding the long-term effects of concussions.

Researchers at the new Krembil Neuroscience Centre sports concussion project will be the first in Canada to search the brains of dead hockey players for the same signs of severe damage recently discovered in the brains of American football players, and normally associated with boxers.

Their work is part of a revolution in the scientific understanding of concussions. In recent years, researchers have gained critical new insights into how the injuries affect athletes' brains, both in the immediate aftermath of a hit – and possibly long after they've retired from the sport.

Source: Globe and Mail

Reebok Crosby 10K Hockey Stick Review


Reebok 10K Stick Review

The Reebok 10K is available in 2 versions the standard edition and the Crosby 'Gold' edition which is the only version with the Crosby curve.

A light, responsive, snappy stick available in both Grip and non-Grip.

Sick-Kick technology with the tapered bottom shaft gives you a low kickpoint for an explosive shot.

The matrix-weave construction gives you expert control and stability. By keep the blade stable throughout the shot, you get a consistent, precision shot every time.

Reebok's Pure Fiber technology runs single-piece fibers throughout the stick - from the tip of the shaft to the tip of the blade. This gives you maximum energy transfer into your shot.

The high denisity foam in the blade absorbs impact and dampens vibrations giving you excelent control capability.



Weight Chart:

Easton Synergy ST Review


Easton Synergy ST Review

A light stick with a stiff blade and a solid feel The Synergy shaft uses a combination of carbon with a Kevlar wrap which acts to reduced the vibrations running through the stick, increases durability and liveliness. The tapered shaft creates a low kick-point for  a quick, responsive shot release.

Available in Grip and Non-Grip matted finish.

SHOX TECHNOLOGY
Shox™ Technology uses a Resin Transfer molding process that gives these blade unique characteristics making pucks stick like glue through impact. With sticking power like this, you can take the “hardest shot in the world*”




SYNERGY TUNED PROFILE
Reinforced with multiple layers of high grade carbon, the shaft uses a proprietary compression molding process wrapped in a ballistic Kevlar®. Synergy® tuned profile generates power that sets Easton sticks apart from the rest.


Getzlaf shows his Hockey moves using a Synergy:

Warrior Dolomite Spyne Hockey Stick Review

Warrior Dolomite Spyne Hockey Stick Review

The Dolomite Spyne is basically the Kronic with the Spyne technology added to the blade. Lightweight, durable, with a tapered bottom for a quick-release, accurate shot,

Features:

  • 440 grams
  • New Direct Taper shaft design
  • Spyne Blade technology
  • HD High-Density blade
  • Nipple Grip Coating
  • 5-Skin impact protection

Available in Grip and Non-Grip

Direct Taper Shaft Design - Redesigned shaft taper that boosts performance and increases accuracy. Length and geometry of the taper is modified to reduce slop, increase shot-loading capacity and speed the reaction time of the stick

Spyne Blade – Warrior's patented Spyne blade uses the latest in carbon-molding technology to produce accurate shot control.
  • Molded structural feature on the back face of the graphite blade.
  • Acts like a spring, directing energy into the heel of the blade. Releases energy faster with more control and accuracy. Reduces blade torque and reduces weight.
  • Molded shape creates an internal carbon structure. The stiffness effect follows the shape of the Spyne feature around the edges to control the direction and flow of energy from the tow of the blade into the heel.
HD Blade with Angel Hair Technology – Warrior developed a completely new core material that uses high-impact epoxy combined with Angel Hair micro-strands of carbon fiber. This produces a rigid, durable blade core that has more spring and pop than ever before.

The HD blade core is heavier than a comparable foam core because it carries more flex and impact. This reduces the carbon exterior of the blade to improve response, resulting in a lighter overall weight.

5-Skin Impact Protection -- Proprietary composite skin that protects the shaft against impact. Provides maximum durability and protection.

Senior: 100, 85, 75 GRIP 100, 85 CLEAR
Fedorov, Draper, Vanek, Kovalev, Kovalchuk, Jovanovski

Intermediate: 70, 55 GRIP 70 CLEAR
Fedorov, Draper

Junior: 50 GRIP
Fedorov, Draper, Kovalchuk

Easton S19 Hockey Stick Review

Easton Stealth S19 Hockey Stick Review



As you would expect from the top-of-the-line Easton, the S19 is a very light, lively, responsive stick with a strong blade that will hold it's liveliness throughout the life of the stick.

Available with or without the grip coating.

The Kevlar® wrapped compression molded shaft uses multiple layers of thin material creating a very light, very responsive stick and allows it to stay lively longer.

The TORX™ Elliptical Technology in the shaft is shaped to store and release torque and flex simultaneously allowing you to get your shots off faster. (Also available on the S17)

The Micro-Bladder™ Multi Rib™ blade is engineered to control torque and flex when shooting and improve your accuracy. The Carbon wrapped high density core lets you feel the puck so you can look at the target, not your blade.

The Making of the S19:

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Defensive Positioning: Hinging

When controlling the puck around mid-ice or near your own blue-line, the defenseman WITHOUT the puck can help the other D-man by providing a pass option.

While most defensemen will remain open directly in-line with the puck-carrying defenseman across the ice, you can provide additional defensive zone support by dropping back BEHIND the (imaginary) line of your defense partner.

This is known as hinging. 

Imagine a door or a gate opening up using the player with the puck as the hinge. Hinging acts as a safety valve for a drop-back pass when the fore-check becomes too heavy.

See also:

 Hockey Defense Positioning
 Great video on hockey defense positioning.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Crazy Hockey Fans

 

A couple freaks from the 'Green Man crew' harass the Predators' Dave Scacthard in the penalty box at a Canucks Game. He feels shame.








 

The infamous 'Leaf Blower"

Face Painters

Jerry: "Well, that's what you get for getting mixed up with a face painter."

Elaine: "I mean, what compels a seemingly normal human being to do something
like that?"




Friday, December 18, 2009

Famous, Hot Hockey Wives, Babes, and Girlfriends

Hottest Hockey Wives and Girlfriends


With the Senators Mike Fisher’s 2009 engagement to Carrie Underwood I wondered what other Hockey stars had hot or famous girlfriends.

I doubt if they'll hep your game any, but check 'em out anyway, it can't hurt!














Hilary Duff. Oiler's Mike Comrei's Fiancé as of Feb 2010.

"I like to sit in the audience, you know I don't sit up in a box or anything, and people started to know that I'm sitting there, and they'll be like 'Mike sucks!' Or try to rile me up. And I'm like, 'Hey, watch it! I'll come up there, you know.'"
( Ready more Hockey Quotes )








Gena Nolin. Former Bay watch star and wife of Cale Hulse who used to play for the Blue Jackets.



Veronika Varekova Petr Nedved’s from the Coyotes ex-wife.



Willa Ford. The "bad-girl of pop" and Mike Modano's wife.



Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert. Sean Avery's ex-girlfriend, who then went on to Dion Phaneuf spurring the infamous 'Sloppy Seconds' quote from Avery.




Emma Andersson.Model, Swedish Survivor contestant, The Redwing's Henrik Zetterberg’s girlfriend.





Inna Puhajkova. Jaromir Jagr’s current girlfriend.



Jagr almost went out with former Miss Slovakia, Andrea Veresova


Jagr (the stud) also dated Czech supermodel Iva Kubelkova



Rachel Hunter. Playboy and Sports Illustrated model and Rod Stewart's ex-wife. LA King's Jarret Stoll was all set marry her but called it off just weeks before the wedding .




Carol Alt
After her 3 year marriage to New York Rangers' Ron Greschner didn't work out, she then married Ex-Senator and Islander, Alexei Yashin.




Candace Cameron Bure. Best known for playing D. J. Tanner on Full House.  Married to Pavel Bure's brother Valeri.






Anna Kournikova.  Ex-Pro Tennis player and model. Dated Pavel Bure and Federov.




Angelica Bridges. wife of the Oiler's Sheldon Souray.




Abby Malone. Wife of Ryan Malone from the Penguins



Melanie Collins. NBA TV News Anchor and Scottie Upshall's girlfriend from the Flyers




Alyonka Larionov. Daughter of Hall of Famer Igor Larionov dated both Ovechkin and Malkin.


Ovechkin with Katja, whom he met on a Rusian online dating site.




Nathalie Sanschagrin. Dainius Zubrus' wife.


Apparently, right after Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong broke up, Kate ended up back in the arms of her ex boyfriend Eric Lindros.



Stacia Robitaille - Luc Robitaille's classy wife. I'll bet she's ALL-IN!




From Left to Right: Brandy Blake (Rob's wife), Angelica Bridges (Sheldon Souray's wife), Dina Arnott (Jason's wife) and Stacia Robitaille (Luc's wife).

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Shooting Tip: Shoot Low

Why Shoot Low?


It's far tougher for a goalie to absorb the puck, or catch it with his glove on a low shot, than it is with a high one, so theres' a better chance of rebounds. As most goals are scored from scrambles in front of the net, more rebounds means more goals.

If your shooting through traffic, like from the point, you have a greater chance of having the puck deflected on net with a low shot, either intentionally from your teammate, or off a random skate or leg from any player.

But there's another reason. Watch and learn ...






More: Shooting Tips

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Incredible Skating Demo Video



According to Victor's website, he was a member of the Russian skating community during the years they dominated Olympic and world hockey competitions and pioneered many of the skating and training techniques that are used today in Hockey skating.

Some pretty incredible moves. Look how low he is.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Hockey School Listings: Vancouver, Alberta, Okanagan

Looking for a list of Hockey School, Camp, or Academy ?

Check out these listings:


Surrey, Langley, Delta Hockey Schools


Vancouver Hockey Schools

Okanagan Hockey Schools

BC Hockey Schools

Alberta Hockey Schools

Atlantic Canada Hockey Schools


The Hockey News Hockey School Directory


USA Hockey Magazine Hockey Camps

Canada Hockey Info Hockey Development

Open Directory Hockey School List


Google's list of coaching clinics and schools

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Goaltending and Goalie Tips

The Ready Position

Stand in the crease with your knees bent. This will be the stance you will stay in for the majority of the game. Keeping the knees bent aids in faster reactions to shots on goal.

Keep both hands held out in front of you at equal height. The catching glove should remain open (until there is a catch), and the blocker should be held out in front of the knees.

Keep your stick on the ice at all times. Put the stick at a slight angle and make sure that it is held away from the toes of your skates. The stick should always touch the ice and never touch the toes of your skates.

Stay balanced, keeping your weight on the balls of your feet. The head stays up, and the arms and legs move independently of each other. Practice your ready position until you feel comfortable and ready for anything.

The Butterfly Save

Drop to your knees by putting your feet out sideways. Try to be covering as much net as possible.

Keep the stick on the ice! Namely, the stick should be on the ice and covering the small space between the legs (known as the five-hole).

Put your open catching glove out in front of you, keeping it low and close to the legs.

Work on maneuvering your body from side to side while on your knees. It is equally important to learn how to quickly return to an upright position from the butterfly position.



Learn the art of effective goalie/team communication. Know the essential signals (such as raising the glove hand to signal icing calls) and phrases to let your men know what's going on around you.

Develop a strong sense of hand-eye coordination and keen ability to keep track of the puck. These are essential elements for a good glove save.

Work on your stick handling. You should be able to effectively maneuver the puck if it comes your way, and you should be able to do it without removing your bulky gloves. Among other things, you should develop the ability to pull off one-handed passes with ease.

All of this information is simply a drop in the bucket in the world of goal tending. The best learning method is to listen to your coach and do your drills.

Goaltending Glove Save Tips:

Keep Your glove open with the pocket facing out.
Watch (follow) the puck all the way into your glove.




Source: WikiHow Goaltending Tips: How to Play Goalie in Hockey

Friday, December 11, 2009

Best and Worst Hockey Fights of all Time

Best Hockey Fight Ever



Best One Time Punch


Worst Hockey Fight ever

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Las Vegas Hockey Tournaments 2010

2010 Vegas Hockey Tournament Listings

Latest Update: Dec 10,2010

Canlan Classic Hockey Tournaments

  • Nevada - Las Vegas Hockey Classic II - 2010 - Oct 22 - 24, 2010
  • Nevada - Oldtimer's Hockey Classic - 2010 - Oct 22 - 24, 2010
  • Nevada - Hockey for Heroes / Armed Services Classic - 2010 - Nov 11 - 14, 2010
  • Nevada - Las Vegas Coed Classic - Nov 12 - 14, 2010
  • Nevada - Las Vegas Hockey Classic III - 2010 - Nov 19 - 21, 2010
  • Nevada - Las Vegas Hockey Classic I - 2010 - Mar 26 - 28, 2010

Global Sports Vacations
Lady Luck Cup
Las Vegas, N.V.
Feb. 7-10, 2010


Lady Luck Cup
Las Vegas, N.V.
April 1-4, 2010


Lady Luck Cup
Las Vegas, N.V.
Nov. 4-5-6-7-8, 2010

CAN/AM Adult Tournaments

Las Vegas
October 23, 2009

Las Vegas
February 19, 2010
April 30, 2010

California Hockey Productions
Las Vegas Women's Hockey Classic
January 21-24, 2010

Las Vegas Hockey Classic
March 4-7, 2010
March 11-14, 2010
March 18-21, 2010

Also check out the 2010 Adult Hockey Tournaments List

Be Sure to add Your Vegas Hockey Tournament in the comments. (Adult Tournaments only please.)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Tiger Woods Scandal: Sex, Drugs and Hockey


The Billionaire Golfer, likes sex and drugs, but not hockey. Tiger Woods image is taking a huge hit and so is his wallet, apparently, as his team tries to squash rumors of extra marital affairs and drug use. Apparently the Billionaire Golfer liked to take the prescription medication, Ambien before his romps with Rachel Uchitel.

Will Canadians, forgive Tiger his transgressions? Maybe not, Mr. Woods fell out of favor with Canadian hockey fans 18 months ago and many have still not forgotten. The 2008 Yahoo Sports article is still getting icy comments. What did Tiger say that provoked us?

"I don't think anyone really watches hockey anymore." , said Tiger.
It's not the quote, so much, that riles up Canadians, it's that he dissed our national sport after our national super hero, Wayne Gretzky spoke so graciously of Tiger.
"He's the greatest athlete I've ever seen," adding, "You ever tried to golf? You better be a good athlete if you try to golf." says Gretzky.
Gretzky, on the other hand has avoided scandal, except his wife getting caught up in sports betting. She was never charged.

If the Tiger Woods team needs some advice on how to turn Tiger's image around, they might want to look at the life of one of the finest sportsmen there ever was, Wayne Gretzky.

More Tiger Dirt at: Tiger Woods Sex Scandal or check out the Tiger Woods Scandal YouTube Channel