How Plyometric Jump Training Boosts Explosive Power and Makes You Win More Puck Races
Dear Coach,
Over the past three days we've been talking about the advantages you can gain through off-ice strength and conditioning.
And we've covered a lot of ground!
Here's a quick recap refresher:
Over the past three days we've been talking about the advantages you can gain through off-ice strength and conditioning.
And we've covered a lot of ground!
Here's a quick recap refresher:
- DAY 1 - My obsession with hockey development has driven me to collect a library of rare coaching books and material; and to study the game through the eyes of history's best coaches. Legendary Soviet coach, Anatoli Tarasov, put a huge importance on off-ice training; specifically speed, strength, and agility, which produced Soviet dominance for more than two decades.
In his rare book, the Road to Olympus, which is no longer in print, Tarasov says "A good hockey player must first be a good athlete. Athleticism means speed, strength, and agility. This means we must double our efforts, especially in the spurts." - DAY 2 - We built on the principles covered on Day 1, and showed you a simple agility drill that can be done from home in less than 3 minutes a day, with zero equipment needed—the Dot Drill.
By doing the Dot Drill every day, your players will quickly improve their foot speed and agility.
You'll notice quicker acceleration off the line, more explosive changes in direction. They'll be able to start and stop with more exactness and precision. Their crossovers will become quicker and they'll be able to drive the net harder. Your defensemen will be able to hit the brakes and evade checkers... resulting in cleaner breakouts.
You'll start noticing more puck races being won, players being stronger on their feet, playing with more confidence. And ultimately, you'll start realizing you're winning more games. - DAY 3 - Our webinar covered the biggest questions coaches are asking about Summer Training & Development. We had an awesome turnout, with participants from all over the world! Here are a few of the topics we covered:
- What should we be doing over the summer?
- How can I get "buy in" from my players?
- What can I do as a coach, this summer, to give my team an advantage in the fall?
- How can I help my kids play with more confidence and win more games?
Today's Lesson – What Legendary 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Gold-Medal Coach Herb Brooks Meant When He Said "the Legs Feed the Wolf"
Today I'm going to show you a simple plyometric (also known as jump training) box routine that is GUARANTEED to boost explosiveness.
The great Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team, said
"The legs feed the wolf."
What he meant by that is that every physical skill in the game of hockey is lower-body driven.
Think about it...
The great Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team, said
"The legs feed the wolf."
What he meant by that is that every physical skill in the game of hockey is lower-body driven.
Think about it...
The legendary Herb Brooks. Head coach of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team at Lake Placid in 1980
- If you want a faster top speed, quicker acceleration, to be stronger on your feet in a battle...
- If you want to shoot harder, change directions more quickly, deliver checks more powerfully, avoid checks more skillfully...
- If you want to drive wide and cut to the net harder, or transition from defense to offense better than ever before...
- If you want to be able to skate harder, and faster, for longer...
THE LEGS FEED THE WOLF.
- If you want to shoot harder, change directions more quickly, deliver checks more powerfully, avoid checks more skillfully...
- If you want to drive wide and cut to the net harder, or transition from defense to offense better than ever before...
- If you want to be able to skate harder, and faster, for longer...
THE LEGS FEED THE WOLF.
This training video is going to give you the advantage you're looking for.
But before I show you how today's training routine works, I want to share an experience I had as a youngster.
This story is very relevant to plyometric training. In fact, plyometric training is one of the key reasons my U11 team was able to skate with the Russian Red Army U11 team in the "Championnat Mondial" (World Championships) in Montreal, Quebec in 1992.
But before I show you how today's training routine works, I want to share an experience I had as a youngster.
This story is very relevant to plyometric training. In fact, plyometric training is one of the key reasons my U11 team was able to skate with the Russian Red Army U11 team in the "Championnat Mondial" (World Championships) in Montreal, Quebec in 1992.
How My Old Team–The Wexford Raiders–Was the First to Skate with the Russian Red Army in the U11 "Championnat Mondial"
in Montreal, Quebec 1992
in Montreal, Quebec 1992
I've already told you about my Czechoslovakian skills coach, Martin Maglay. I worked with Martin for about 6 years, until my family moved to the States.
I had a blast training with Martin. His practices were fun and creative. During that time, Martin also worked as a skills consultant with my entire team.
Martin's development techniques were put to the test when my U11 team faced a solid international line-up in the "Championnat Mondial" (world championship) in Montreal, Quebec in 1992.
This tournament was a big deal, and featured teams from around the world, including the Czechoslovakian national team and two Russian teams––Red Army and Moscow Dynamo.
The competition was good... really good.
I had a blast training with Martin. His practices were fun and creative. During that time, Martin also worked as a skills consultant with my entire team.
Martin's development techniques were put to the test when my U11 team faced a solid international line-up in the "Championnat Mondial" (world championship) in Montreal, Quebec in 1992.
This tournament was a big deal, and featured teams from around the world, including the Czechoslovakian national team and two Russian teams––Red Army and Moscow Dynamo.
The competition was good... really good.
Rumor Had It the Red Army U11's Had Never Lost a Tournament Game...
These were national and regional all star teams, built for the purpose of competing in European and North American tournaments, and were made up of the top young talent in their respective countries, which had been under communist rule just two years before.
There was still a lot of political tension in those days, which spilled over into sport, even at the U11 level.
The Russian teams skated like the wind, moved the puck well, and scored goals in "bursts"—similar to the Russian style we still see today!
On paper, our team was nothing special... we were good, but just a regular season "AAA" league team. We hadn't "bolstered" our roster for this tournament.
But we had a secret weapon.
We had been training with Martin Maglay, our Czechoslovakian skills instructor...
And we skated like the Europeans!
Example of the skating techniques Martin Maglay taught my team. This clip is pulled from my personal archive. Many of these skating techniques were unheard of in the 1980's and early 1990's. This training put us years ahead of everyone else.
In fact, in the round robin we beat the Czechoslovakians 5-2, then tied Red Army (they scored two goals late in the 3rd period to come from behind).
That tie kept both of our teams alive.
We beat Moscow Dynamo in the crossover semi-final game, which put us against Red Army again in the final. We all saw that coming.
After an incredible game, and despite outshooting them badly, we came up short and lost the final 4-2.
Their goalie stood on his head that game!
As awesome as the experience was... the coolest part happened after the finals, when my father, who was also my head coach, was approached by the head coach of Team Czechoslovakia.
The coach of Czechoslovakia walked up to my dad with his hand extended, and said in a thick Czech accent:
That tie kept both of our teams alive.
We beat Moscow Dynamo in the crossover semi-final game, which put us against Red Army again in the final. We all saw that coming.
After an incredible game, and despite outshooting them badly, we came up short and lost the final 4-2.
Their goalie stood on his head that game!
As awesome as the experience was... the coolest part happened after the finals, when my father, who was also my head coach, was approached by the head coach of Team Czechoslovakia.
The coach of Czechoslovakia walked up to my dad with his hand extended, and said in a thick Czech accent:
My finalist trophy from the Championnat Mondial in 1992, where we faced Russia Red Army in the championships.
"I MUST SHAKE YOUR HAND..."
My dad politely returned the gesture, extended his hand, and said "thank you..."
But the Czech coach shook his head and said
But the Czech coach shook his head and said
"No... You don't understand.
I have watched Red Army for many years now in tournaments across Europe.
I have never seen a team that could skate with them.
I must shake the hand of the coach of the only team that could skate with the Russians!"
I have watched Red Army for many years now in tournaments across Europe.
I have never seen a team that could skate with them.
I must shake the hand of the coach of the only team that could skate with the Russians!"
The training techniques Martin Maglay used with our team—which included off-ice strength training, conditioning, and plyometrics—worked. His techniques made it so a regular league team could compete internationally with the best of the best.
My Experiences With the 'Red Machine' Taught Me First Hand What These Training Techniques Can Do to a Team... Garbage Teams Become Good... and Good Teams Become World Class
The reason I'm sharing this story with you now, is because I've seen these things first hand—both as a player and as a coach.
I know what the top teams are doing to be the best...
I know where they're falling short...
And I know where there are advantages to be gained.
In recent years, since becoming well-known as an online hockey consultant, I have been invited to participate in some awesome coaching events with the IIHF, Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, and the Russian Federation.
Through these events, I've acquired even deeper insight to the Russian Development Models, also known as the 'Red Machine.'
I've seen the development techniques being used now, and I've seen what they looked like back in the Soviet era. And I've participated in discussion panels with other Russian coaches on what worked then, what's working now, and how to combine international styles and development methods for the best results.
And I can tell you right now...
The patterns for championship hockey repeat themselves. Over and over.
The top teams are ALL following the same off-ice training principles.
Furthermore... the best teams in any league, in any age group, at any skill level, anywhere in the world, play with a combination of European "finesse" and North American "grit."
This is what I try to help the my coaches and teams achieve.
And the off-ice training techniques I'm sharing with you here are a big piece of a full development program.
I know what the top teams are doing to be the best...
I know where they're falling short...
And I know where there are advantages to be gained.
In recent years, since becoming well-known as an online hockey consultant, I have been invited to participate in some awesome coaching events with the IIHF, Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, and the Russian Federation.
Through these events, I've acquired even deeper insight to the Russian Development Models, also known as the 'Red Machine.'
I've seen the development techniques being used now, and I've seen what they looked like back in the Soviet era. And I've participated in discussion panels with other Russian coaches on what worked then, what's working now, and how to combine international styles and development methods for the best results.
And I can tell you right now...
The patterns for championship hockey repeat themselves. Over and over.
The top teams are ALL following the same off-ice training principles.
Furthermore... the best teams in any league, in any age group, at any skill level, anywhere in the world, play with a combination of European "finesse" and North American "grit."
This is what I try to help the my coaches and teams achieve.
And the off-ice training techniques I'm sharing with you here are a big piece of a full development program.
Me being interviewed about hockey training and skill development in Moscow, Russia for a spot during a KHL game.
How Plyometric Training Increases Your Explosive Speed
Hockey is all about explosive speed.
I always tell my players,
"The race to the puck is won or lost in the first three strides."
We need to be explosive to win puck races, battles, to slip checks, to deliver checks, to shoot the puck, to cut hard to the net... Every single aspect of the game requires explosiveness.
Anatoli Tarasov understood the need for explosive speed:
I always tell my players,
"The race to the puck is won or lost in the first three strides."
We need to be explosive to win puck races, battles, to slip checks, to deliver checks, to shoot the puck, to cut hard to the net... Every single aspect of the game requires explosiveness.
Anatoli Tarasov understood the need for explosive speed:
"Speed is not only a quality of athleticism. It is also a tactical concept: especially the change of rhythm, tempo, reasonable actions, the ability of a sportsman to skate at full speed for an entire game, and to resort to spurts only at critical moments, when the opponent is not expecting it."
One of the most effective ways to develop explosive speed is through plyometric training.
And my favorite plyometric training drill is the Box Routine.
The Box Routine is fun, challenging, and can be done with or without equipment. If you have access to plyo boxes, great. If not, no problem. You can use a picnic table and bench, or a set of stairs, or anything else that can be jumped up onto.
The boxes can be purchased or you can build them yourself if you're the handy type. Most good gyms will have plyo boxes in one form or another.
My exact setup looks like this:
And my favorite plyometric training drill is the Box Routine.
The Box Routine is fun, challenging, and can be done with or without equipment. If you have access to plyo boxes, great. If not, no problem. You can use a picnic table and bench, or a set of stairs, or anything else that can be jumped up onto.
The boxes can be purchased or you can build them yourself if you're the handy type. Most good gyms will have plyo boxes in one form or another.
My exact setup looks like this:
- Three 20" Boxes
- One 34" Box
- One Booster Box to Raise a 20" Box 2" or 4"
- One Booster Box to Raise the 34" Box 2" or 4"
How to Do the Box Routine
The setup is easy. Place the boxes in a straight line, leaving enough space between them to land, and jump up to the next box. Also, make sure your boxes are on solid, stable ground. Sometimes a crack in the sidewalk, or a small pebble, can make a box unstable.
Follow the sequence as described below:
Follow the sequence as described below:
- Start on top of Box 1
- Drop down between Box 1 and 2, then EXPLODE up to Box 2
- Drop down between Box 2 and 3, then EXPLODE up to Box 3
- Drop down between Box 3 and 4, then EXPLODE up to Box 4 (the tall box)
- This is one round.
DO 5 ROUNDS TOTAL. - Boost Box 3 up 2"
- DO 5 ROUNDS TOTAL
- Boost Box 4 up 2"
- DO 5 ROUNDS TOTAL
- Boost Box 3 up an additional 2"
- DO 5 ROUNDS TOTAL
- Boost Box 4 up an additional 2"
- DO 5 ROUNDS TOTAL - And you're done!
Luke (age 6) jumping up onto a 20" box as part of the Box Routine. This routine can be modified to work for any age, just get taller or shorter boxes, depending on the athlete's capabilities.
Completing the routine as described will give you 75 jumps total. If you're doing this on a park bench, or up the stairs, try to structure your modifications to still give you around 75 total jumps.
Although this routine looks simple, you will be blown away at the results.
Doing this routine twice a week, combined with the Dot Drill we taught you on Day 2, will have your players winning more puck races, battles, slipping checks, hitting harder, shooting harder, driving the net with more power...
It will improve every physical aspect of their game...
Because hockey revolves around explosiveness.
And this is just a sample of the training techniques designed to improve Speed, Strength, Size, Explosiveness, and Agility, included in Championship Hockey Conditioning, which is starting soon.
Although this routine looks simple, you will be blown away at the results.
Doing this routine twice a week, combined with the Dot Drill we taught you on Day 2, will have your players winning more puck races, battles, slipping checks, hitting harder, shooting harder, driving the net with more power...
It will improve every physical aspect of their game...
Because hockey revolves around explosiveness.
And this is just a sample of the training techniques designed to improve Speed, Strength, Size, Explosiveness, and Agility, included in Championship Hockey Conditioning, which is starting soon.
Introducing Championship Hockey Conditioning—A 12-Week Off-Ice Training Course for Speed, Strength, Size, Explosiveness, and Agility
Once You Sign Up You'll Get Access To...
- Championship Hockey Conditioning – A full program focusing on primary muscle groups & energy systems that improve speed, strength, size, agility, explosiveness, and recovery time; allowing you and your team's players to become physically dominant on the ice.
- Over 105 of simple to follow, yet EFFECTIVE online instructional videos ensure your team gets the proper form for all exercise movements, and that the sets and reps schemes are performed correctly without you having to teach them – keeping improvement safe and consistent.
- Program Variations for U11, 12-13, and 14+ – You get THREE program variations to accommodate all age ranges. U11 uses mostly bodyweight exercises and can be done from home. 12-13 introduces players to weightlifting with less aggressive weights and rep schemes. 14+ is for more experienced and physically mature athletes, incorporates heavier weights, and more complex movements. You get access to all three age groups, so the program grows with your player.
- Tracking Worksheets for Individuals so that everyone's workouts organized and track your team's improvement printable worksheets. Seeing improvement over time also improves consistency and motivation (see my tour video below for more details)
- Testing Worksheets for Teams – super useful for coaches who are looking to use this program for their whole team. Players can do their workouts each day on their own, then meet as a team semi-regularly for a testing session. Coaches use these sheets to track their players' results.
- Fun "Daily Challenges" Combine Conditioning & Skill Work – Can you snipe 5 top rights in a row? Can you do it while you're already gassed from doing burpees? (Doing workouts like these allows your team to execute while under stress or exhaustion, builds character, and turns you into a clutch performer.)
- A U11 Program that Doesn't Require a Gym – (the 12-13 and 14+ programs require some off-ice training aids and some basic equipment). Any solid strength and conditioning program will eventually get to the point where you'll need weights and other equipment. Fortunately, this is pretty cheap and easy in most places. A basic gym membership or a barbell set will cover everything you need.
- Member Portal Where Your Team Can Login to See Video Demos of All the Movements – Simply follow the directives in the video demonstrations for each movement to ensure safe and effective technique
- Platform for Your Team to Report Results & Interact with Other Athletes – I've built in commenting capabilities for each workout, so you can report your results and congratulate your teammates, and other members of the program, for a workout well done! (You can see this shown in the video below as Facebook comments)
- Improved Speed, Strength, Size, Explosiveness, Agility, Flexibility, and Recovery Time! – Anatoli Tarasov said "A good hockey player must first be a good athlete. Athleticism means speed, strength, and agility. This means we must double our efforts, especially in the spurts." Tarasov was right, and this program is built to enable players to accomplish just that!
- Permanent Lifetime Access to the Whole 12-Week Program for just $47 – Each registration fee includes 15 slots, so you can invite your whole team to participate together and keep dominating season after season, year after year!
You can get access to Championship Hockey Conditioning today, put it through it paces for your team, apply the techniques, have your players do the worksheets each week, and track their results. Go ahead and try it out for multiple seasons...
And if within the next 730 days you don't get into the top 3rd of your league I'll double your money back. All you have to do is send an email to [email protected] and I will literally send you $94.
That's how confident I am that Championship Hockey Conditioning works.
And if within the next 730 days you don't get into the top 3rd of your league I'll double your money back. All you have to do is send an email to [email protected] and I will literally send you $94.
That's how confident I am that Championship Hockey Conditioning works.
Check Out What Weiss Tech Hockey's
Training Systems Have Done for These Teams...
Training Systems Have Done for These Teams...
Thunder Bay Queens - Midget A U16
"I have been using your material for at least 5 years. Your drills and systems help our coaching staff with progressions and efficiencies throughout the year. This year our Midget A Queens (U16) have achieved some of their goals winning two Championships, U19 in Chicago and U16 in Madison. They have come a long way and competed against the U19 for the better part of the year."
–Rainer Prager, Thunder Bay, ON
U19 Chicago Cup Champs 2019
U16 Madison Cup Champs 2019
–Rainer Prager, Thunder Bay, ON
U19 Chicago Cup Champs 2019
U16 Madison Cup Champs 2019
Cumberland Grads - Minor Bantam
"I wanted to thank you for all of your help over the years. Your drills are easy to understand and they always have good progressions to other drills. I have been using them for the past 5 years and I have seen great improvements in their individual skills and team play."
–Tony Rino, Cumberland, ON
Oshawa Tournament Champs 2019
–Tony Rino, Cumberland, ON
Oshawa Tournament Champs 2019
Sydney Steelers - Bantam A
"Year 2 of using your material. We won our division this year after a slow start 0-11-2 but continued using your drills to improve skill. We ended up winning the Bantam A Championships!
Not only that, but it was a "repeat" because we won the Peewee A Championships last year.
So we're 2 for 2 in years of championships using your coaching material!"
–David Jamael, Sydney, NS
Cape Brenton Cup Champs 2019, 2018
Not only that, but it was a "repeat" because we won the Peewee A Championships last year.
So we're 2 for 2 in years of championships using your coaching material!"
–David Jamael, Sydney, NS
Cape Brenton Cup Champs 2019, 2018
Etobicoke Dolphins
"I've used your material since 2012 coaching my two daughters. Here are the results:
–Barry Linetsky, Etobicoke, ON
League Champs 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013
- 2012-2013 - Midget Champions (older daughter)
- 2013-2014 - Bantam Champions (younger daughter)
- 2014-2015 - Bantam Champions (younger daughter)
- 2016-2017 - Midget Champions (younger daughter)
- 2017-2018 - Midget Finalists (younger daughter)"
–Barry Linetsky, Etobicoke, ON
League Champs 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013
Kensington Valley Raiders - Peewee AA
"I have been using your drills, concepts and systems for the past 5 years coaching youth hockey. I have had the privilege to coach a travel team, the Kensington Valley Raiders, out of Brighton, MI.
Last season was our first season as a travel team playing PeeWee A.
This most recent season we bumped up a division, playing PeeWee AA, and won our division, finished runner up at Notre Dame tournament in the fall, and won a thrilling OT game to win the Big Thaw tournament championship last month.
Using your drills and systems I have seen tremendous skill progression and hockey IQ in my players. Thank you for your passion and commitment to amateur hockey."
–Brad Miklosovic, Brighton, MI
Division Champs 2019
Big Thaw Tourney Champs 2019
Notre Dame Finalists 2019
Last season was our first season as a travel team playing PeeWee A.
This most recent season we bumped up a division, playing PeeWee AA, and won our division, finished runner up at Notre Dame tournament in the fall, and won a thrilling OT game to win the Big Thaw tournament championship last month.
Using your drills and systems I have seen tremendous skill progression and hockey IQ in my players. Thank you for your passion and commitment to amateur hockey."
–Brad Miklosovic, Brighton, MI
Division Champs 2019
Big Thaw Tourney Champs 2019
Notre Dame Finalists 2019
Granite State Wild - Peewee Elite
"Just thought I'd send you a quick note during this busy time of the season to let you know we successfully followed-up the Can/Am tournament victory in Montreal with a State Championship yesterday!
The Can/Am victory in Montreal was awesome, but the state championship – six weeks later – cemented in my mind the kids' understanding of the systems.... even the officials in Montreal noted our passing and position play, which was proof that our systems were being absorbed...
A million thanks for everything from your personal feedback to this website with the drills library that is my bible, as you know, etc...."
–Bob Adams
State Champs 2018
Can/Am Champs 2018
The Can/Am victory in Montreal was awesome, but the state championship – six weeks later – cemented in my mind the kids' understanding of the systems.... even the officials in Montreal noted our passing and position play, which was proof that our systems were being absorbed...
A million thanks for everything from your personal feedback to this website with the drills library that is my bible, as you know, etc...."
–Bob Adams
State Champs 2018
Can/Am Champs 2018
The Box Routine is another great starting point for your summer conditioning plan. Especially when used with the Dot Drill we showed you a few days ago.
But it's just the beginning!
Inside Championship Hockey Conditioning you'll get a full program to increase your Speed, Strength, Size, Skills, Explosiveness, and Agility DAILY.
And your membership gets you access for your entire team.
Just click the button above for the Early Bird special!
Tomorrow we will formally open Championship Hockey Conditioning to the public.
I'll be shooting out another video that talks more about what the program is all about, as well as answers a few of the questions that have come in so far. It should be awesome!
Keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow!
Jeremy Weiss
But it's just the beginning!
Inside Championship Hockey Conditioning you'll get a full program to increase your Speed, Strength, Size, Skills, Explosiveness, and Agility DAILY.
And your membership gets you access for your entire team.
Just click the button above for the Early Bird special!
Tomorrow we will formally open Championship Hockey Conditioning to the public.
I'll be shooting out another video that talks more about what the program is all about, as well as answers a few of the questions that have come in so far. It should be awesome!
Keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow!
Jeremy Weiss
UP NEXT:
Public Registrations Open Tomorrow
Watch Your Inbox!
Public Registrations Open Tomorrow
Watch Your Inbox!
Jeremy Weiss (with his translator) presenting at a hockey coaching symposium for the Russian Federation in Moscow—2018.
Who is Jeremy Weiss?
Hockey coach and international consultant, Jeremy Weiss, has worked with thousands of coaches worldwide since 2008 to help produce championship teams at every age and skill level.
He is known internationally through the work he has done online. In 2008 he invented "digital chalktalks" which combined screen sharing with drill diagramming software, to produce a training experience nobody had ever seen before. His YouTube following quickly grew to over 19,000 subscribers, and he has produced over 130 training videos.
Jeremy runs a development blog for coaches, which has over 280 posts. He is the author of 10 hockey books for coaches, and is the editor of Hockey Development Magazine.
He was trained in the Eastern European style as a pre-teen, by his Czechoslovakian skills coach, and competed internationally as a "Wexford Raider" among the top youth hockey programs in the world including Russia, Czechoslovakia, Finland, and top teams in his home province Ontario, Canada.
He majored in Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University, and subsequently worked as a Personal Trainer, where he continued to study and develop ideal training methods for hockey.
He has incorporated the very best pieces from the various training styles he has been involved in, and has built a world-class off-ice strength and conditioning program that fits the specific needs of hockey players.
Hockey coach and international consultant, Jeremy Weiss, has worked with thousands of coaches worldwide since 2008 to help produce championship teams at every age and skill level.
He is known internationally through the work he has done online. In 2008 he invented "digital chalktalks" which combined screen sharing with drill diagramming software, to produce a training experience nobody had ever seen before. His YouTube following quickly grew to over 19,000 subscribers, and he has produced over 130 training videos.
Jeremy runs a development blog for coaches, which has over 280 posts. He is the author of 10 hockey books for coaches, and is the editor of Hockey Development Magazine.
He was trained in the Eastern European style as a pre-teen, by his Czechoslovakian skills coach, and competed internationally as a "Wexford Raider" among the top youth hockey programs in the world including Russia, Czechoslovakia, Finland, and top teams in his home province Ontario, Canada.
He majored in Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University, and subsequently worked as a Personal Trainer, where he continued to study and develop ideal training methods for hockey.
He has incorporated the very best pieces from the various training styles he has been involved in, and has built a world-class off-ice strength and conditioning program that fits the specific needs of hockey players.