The Inside Post

When it comes to hockey practice, training and development, much can be learned from watching the best players in the world. Here are our 10 takeaways after teams have played their first 10 games of the season.

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.

Having a dream is so important in reaching your goals. I was again reminded of this as I watched the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness horse races.

When I think back to all of the really great hockey players that I’ve played with, the players who are just ridiculous with their skills are more times than not also those that have above average ability in other sports as well.

“If it’s important to you, you will find a way. If it’s not, you will find an excuse.”

“While you are thinking about doing it, you are getting passed by someone else who is doing it.”

There are so many great quotes about motivation, and these are two of our favorites. Everyone needs motivation and inspiration in life, whether it’s for school, work and of course training to become a better hockey player. While sayings and quotes can help keep you going during times when you aren’t really in the mood to shoot pucks, stickhandle or go for a run, it takes a deeper, burning desire to become successful.

There have been many great goals, amazing passes and downright dirty dangles in the playoffs. And these are the inspiring moments when fans jump out of their seats and off their couches to celebrate. Players should use these awesome moments to inspire them to shoot more pucks.

“Keep your head up” is an important, yet over-used expression heard in every rink, literally everywhere. But what does it really mean and why do players continue to hear it over and over, practice after practice, season after season? There are many reasons, and we’ll cover a couple of the top lessons in this article, which will give you the know-how to become a better hockey player, with better on-ice vision and awareness, by keeping your head up.

There have been some great goals scored during the first four days of the NHL Playoffs. For aspiring hockey players watching the great action, there is much to be learned from the shooting habits of the best players in the world. Here are four takeaways from the first four days of the playoffs:

The reality is the BU goalie dropped the puck, but it was the BU forwards dropping the ball that cost the team the game. This is a good learning opportunity for all hockey players who one day dream of playing in a National Championship themselves.

In golf, the most successful players also undoubtedly have the greatest attitudes, as well as the shortest memories. They hit a bad shot and forget about it. Within a minute they are addressing the ball prepared to hit a great shot.

Especially in the playoffs, teams and players need something that no one can practice for or anticipate: puck luck.

The fact of the matter is that most dream of scoring the big goal, but very few properly prepare for that moment.  Do you have the determination to become a great goal scorer? If so, it all starts with developing a great shot and here are three tips to help you start lighting the lamp more often.