Top 5 Ice Hockey Goalie Tips For Beginners

By: Arnold Santos 

We all know how much attraction sports into our young people nowadays. Study shows that this is because sports gave them freedom of expression. A sport boosts their self-confidence, maintains self-determination, and allows competition that will give them the feeling of achievement at a young age.

Parents should be supportive yet strict in guiding their kids into sports as this activity might put their child's life into injury. These are techniques that are useful to athletes in reaching their goals. Here are top 5 helpful tips or techniques to be followed concerning ice hockey games.

· Prepare your whole self. Ice hockey goalies are the most are oftentimes receives the blame and less honor, but, have the most important function in any ice hockey games. They are significantly important for they carry the success of the game. To get a high regards for every game, it is important to be well-prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every game or competition needs a lot of goalie drills. You should be more than 100% prepared in order to win the game. You might indulge yourselves into hockey goalie drills, and workshops to help you get that confidence. Stretching and warm shots are important before any game so let yourself embrace the power of stretching and warm-shots before playing the game.

· Set up your goal. A goal is a key to win the game because this hockey goalie tips will help the athlete to maintain focus all throughout the whole competition. Keep your heads high and never put down yourself are goaltending coaches best goalie tips. Aiming the top is also a great motivation for players especially when playing as ice goalie. Forwards are meant to score goals; it is part of the game. Have a hard and positive goal and never give up. Many players easily give up their goal for they are afraid and loss the confidence while playing. You should be relaxed and not tense in the actual game, but don't be over relaxed for this will keep you away from your goal. The Alexander Goaltending Schools designs a skills and mental toughness program that will keep you focus on your game.

· Communication. A goalie should be the loudest on the game of ice. You should talk with your mates and defenseman and tell them that any fore checkers are coming at them. None of them have eyes in the back of their head so you can "yell" to them. Communication in hockey goalie practice drills is very important in games because you are on the one the playing coach inside the court to direct team and each of you should provide the same effort to be proud. One of the main functions of a goalie is to communicate with his teammates as goalie can usually see everything that is happening on the ice. You should be vocal especially if they are screening you, or if an opposing player is close behind you.

· Wear the always-ready position. Being on the right position will help you to maintain relaxed on the game. The goalie stance usually gets modified and finds his style eventually. A nice or hockey goalie training drills or guides to follow when starting out is to stay low, with your knees bent and weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet. Your body should be square to the shooter; you are on the inside edges of your skates, your gloves are a little in front of your body and your stick is in front with the blade flat on the ice.

· Freeze the puck. Don't hesitate to freeze the puck when you feel your team needs a line change, or even if your team is all out of sync. Cover the puck and get a face off. It can be useful for a goalie to slow the game down. If the opposing team has already showed momentum, you may want to slow the game down. The next chance will be your time to keep the play moving especially when the power play lies on your team.

Being aware of ways in preventing injury will help each athlete to be cautious in maintaining safety while enjoying the goodness sports brought into their lives. Strategies are also important especially when playing as ice hockey goalie.

Arnold Santos is a blogger and level D athletes. He enjoys watching kids on goalie drills that is why he recommends reader to send their children in a goalie training center offered by Alexander Goaltending Schools.

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Spring and Summer Hockey - When Is Hockey Too Much?

By Maxim Clark

Over the past several years more and more focus has been placed on spring and summer hockey. Spring hockey is typically several practices and a few tournaments over an eight week period. Summer hockey is usually three on three once a week throughout the summer. Regardless of the timeframe more and more kids are playing hockey all year-round. That poses the question... when is too much hockey too much?

In a regular winter hockey season players are on the ice anywhere from twice to six or seven times per week depending on the level they play at. The course of a season lasts anywhere from six to seven months. To me that is a ton of ice, money and commitment. Once the season ends there's about a four-week gap and the spring teams are back on the ice. Once spring ends kids go right into summer hockey playing in arenas while the sun is shining outside. I don't know about you but when I do the same thing day in and day out I get a little restless, bored, complacent, disinterested, the list could go on and on. What makes it different for a child focusing on one thing twelve months of the year? The interest of children can waiver one day to the next. My six year-old like's cucumbers one day but the next is completely repulsed at the sight of them.

Mixing things up for child athletes is important. By focusing on one thing all of the time you're actually limiting their ability to discover other hidden talents they may have which will ultimately hurt them in the long run. Focusing on other sports and activities offers new insights to all sorts of things. Playing crossover sports that compliment hockey like lacrosse or soccer can teach them to think differently as well as help develop other skill sets and coordination that they would not get from playing in one environment like hockey all year-round.

Spring and summer hockey does not accelerate development. A child's ability can max out for a period of time and pushing them might actually cause a regression rather than a progression. By playing hockey all year-round you also run the risk of burnout and lack of motivation to play hockey. The most important trait a child can have when playing any sports is passion and desire. If a child is passionate about what they're doing and have burning desire they will find a way to get better, will want to practice and be the best that they can be on their own without hockey parents pushing them. When you look back over hockey history nearly all of the most successful hockey players that ever played the game hung their skates up at the end of the winter season and didn't touch them again until the fall. They succeeded out of love and passion for the game of hockey.

In my opinion spring and summer hockey is purely a cash cow. In fact, you can spend nearly more money playing spring hockey then what you would spend playing a whole season of winter hockey. In addition to this the schedule is often more intense due to the condensed time frame. Aside from the money the biggest risk you run is your child telling you when he/she is eleven or twelve that they no longer want to play hockey and that they've had enough. That in itself means that as a parent you have failed and not done your job in providing a good experience and memories for your child.

Remember, variety is the spice of life. Too much of a good thing can turn bad real fast especially with kids who are essentially on a daily journey, learning and exploring new things about life. Their interests can change in a heartbeat so nurture their hockey experience so they keep wanting more.

Visit the Wonderful World of Minor Hockey for advice, musings and insights into the fun, exciting and often intense game of youth hockey.

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Street Hockey Equipment - Get Your Kids Outside, But Keep Them Safe

Author: JackGriffith

We all want to protect our kids from childhood injuries, and street hockey equipment is a necessary part of sports safety.

Street hockey started about 40 years ago when kids began playing hockey outside on the pavement with roller skates instead of ice skates.

Today the game is played in basketball courts, blacktop rinks, tennis courts, playgrounds and yes, even streets. The roller skates of years ago have evolved into roller blades but the game is still the same. Kids play with hockey sticks to gain goals against the other team.

Street hockey has become a team sport of note, with tournaments played across the world.

Proper Street Hockey Equipment Prevents Injuries

As with regular ice hockey, street hockey injuries can happen.

The proper street hockey equipment can make all the difference when players meet hard. Everyone is familiar with the injuries common to ice hockey, and the same are possible with hockey played on roller blades.

Lost teeth, split lips, broken arms and legs, and even head injuries can be something your youngster may come home with. It's a very good idea to send your kids out with the proper gear in order to minimize, or even avoid, potential harm.

What is necessary street hockey equipment?

Street Hockey Equipment Must Include Head Protection

Just like ice hockey, street hockey play requires head protection. Helmets protect eyes, mouth and teeth, nose and head.

Both street and ice hockey use sticks to move the puck toward the goal, and these sticks can be dangerous, especially in the heat of play.

Kids are competitive, and they want to win. Sticks can be swung wildly and hard, and sometimes someone's head may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Head injuries from hockey can include serious things like concussion.

All players, and particularly goalies, must have head protection in order to prevent serious injury.

Street Hockey Equipment Includes Lots of Padding!

This will include other protective gear like pads, gloves and guards. Hockey pants, girdles and jerseys are available with padding form-fitted inside the garment to protect the player against injury from falls or hits.

This type of padded uniform is important because when a player falls on the pavement, blacktop surfaces can produce scrapes and gashes that can be very painful.

Choose a Street Hockey Wheel, Puck or Ball

Other gear essential to playing street hockey are the hockey sticks, goals and nets, inline skates, and hockey wheel (an alternative street hockey version of the ice hockey "puck") or puck. Either a hockey wheel or puck may be used for street hockey, as desired.

In addition, the Mylec company has developed a street hockey ball that has been designed to be used depending upon current weather conditions. This means that if your kids are playing street hockey in cool weather, Mylec has a specific hockey ball designed for 50 degrees, with other balls designed for warmer and cooler temperatures.

There are "quad" skates available as well, which are skates like you might use at your local roller skating rink. These skates have 2 wheels front and back instead of the more common inline skate, which has 4 wheels mounted in a straight line.

Street Hockey Equipment for Goalies

The goalie needs especially protective equipment because he is vulnerable to flying wheels or pucks as well as sticks. There are goalie packages available from several retailers that include all needed apparatus.

These packages will include special helmet/mask combinations that protect the goalie's face from flying hockey wheels as well as much thicker protective padding on legs, chest and shoulders.

Brand names of street hockey equipment include Mylec, Franklin, Vic, Tour and Koho.

Street Hockey Gets Kids Outside, Keeps Them Healthy and Happy

Street hockey is an excellent way for kids to develop confidence and self esteem as well as team spirit.

Exercise is beneficial for healthy and happy kids, and the proper street hockey equipment can make sure they stay safe in addition to having fun.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/street-hockey-equipment-get-your-kids-outside-but-keep-them-safe-4326258.html

About the Author

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'The sweetest, most gentle guy ever,' Former Leaf Wade Belak commits suicide

By Randy Starkman, Mark Zwolinski and Kevin McGran

The hockey world was left reeling after popular former Maple Leaf enforcer Wade Belak was found dead in an apparent suicide at a Toronto hotel on Wednesday.

Police responded to a call saying a body was hanging in a room at the tony 1 King West hotel and condo building where Belak was staying while rehearsing for CBC’s Battle of the Blades. A body was taken out of the side entrance at 7:40 p.m. and loaded into a waiting minivan.

A police source confirmed Thursday that Belak’s death was being treated as a suicide.

The 35-year-old native of Saskatoon, Sask., is the third NHL tough guy to die since the spring. Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien, who suffered from depression, was found dead earlier this month. In May, New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard’s death was ruled an accidental overdose of an alcohol and oxycodone mixture.

“What? ... What’s with all the tough guys dying or having problems?” said retired enforcer Georges Laraque when reached by the Star. “Am I next on the list? That’s unbelievable.”

Belak leaves behind wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex, who were born during his time in Toronto.

"Sad day for the entire hockey fraternity! We really need to take a deep look into the WHY?" tweeted ex-Leaf Jamal Mayers.

Former minor pro hockey player Troy Kahler said he saw Belak drinking on Tuesday night at the Underground Garage at King and Spadina with some friends, including fellow Battle of the Blades contestant Todd Simpson. Kahler said he got his picture taken with Belak on his BlackBerry when they were leaving the bar around 2 a.m.

“He didn’t seem intoxicated at all. He was just as he was always, just happy-go-lucky,” said Kahler, who had met Belak several times before.

Belak was living in Nashville, Tenn., with his family after finishing his career there with the Predators, but was back in town to be part of the CBC reality show.

Shawn Duckman, a local chiropractor who has been friends with the Belaks since they met in a pre-natal class eight years ago, said he spoke to him two days ago.

“He seemed fine,” said Duckman. “The sweetest, most gentle guy ever.”

With his red hair and elaborate tattoo sleeves, Belak was a charming character in the Maple Leafs dressing room, someone who never took himself too seriously and was willing to do whatever it took to stay in the NHL.

“Certainly, he was brave,” said former Leaf coach Pat Quinn. “He’d answer anything as far as the physical side of the game required of him. He didn’t back down from anything.”

But it was his personality that stands out for Quinn.

“He was such a bright light, he had a smile on his face every day,” Quinn said. “The last time I saw him, he was up at TSN to talk about a career change into television. He seemed very, very happy with himself. Certainly, I was delighted to hear that. He was one of those special guys I enjoyed having.”

Paul Dennis, former team psychologist for the Leafs, echoed those sentiments.

“People throw around the term ‘the emotional glue that kept the group together.’ Well, he was that, all of that,” said Dennis. “When things weren’t going well, you knew they were going to come back to perspective with Wade Belak around, that losing a game wasn’t the end of the world. He knew his role, and that there was more to sport than winning. He was a true defender of his teammates.”

Laraque called on the NHLPA and NHL to establish counselling programs for enforcers in the wake of the series of deaths.

“Listen, they have to step up,” Laraque said. “Now more than ever, people have to realize that the job that we did is a really stressful job. Mentally, it’s one of the hardest things. There’s so many guys that have demons and problems with that. We have to do something.

“This, as sad as an incident that it is, is tainting the image of the NHL. If we don’t do something about it, it’s going to be bad. It’s not going to be safe anymore. It’s unbelievable.”

Added retired NHL star Keith Primeau: “My own personal feeling is I believe there’s a direct correlation with the line of work that they’re in.”

Tyson Nash, a longtime Coyotes agitator and briefly in the Leafs organization in 2006-07, raised the ire of the NHLPA by suggesting the association let Belak down.

The players' association took issue with Nash's tweets, pointing out programs run co-operatively among the association, the league and the league's alumni association.

"It's not true, there are programs in place that assist players in transitioning," retired NHLer Mathieu Schneider, who now works for the association, told the Fan590. "There's one called BreakAway. We haven't had a ton of guys use it, but it's there, it's available."

A woman who answered the phone at the Belak family home in Saskatchewan said she wasn’t able to speak.

“No, really I can’t. We’re just very, very upset,” she said.

Belak seemed to be faring well in his post-hockey career. He was working on radio and as an in-game reporter for the Predators. Arthritis in his hip had made it impossible for him to continue playing. He finished up in the NHL with eight goals, 25 assists with 1,263 penalty minutes in 549 games.

He also appeared to be relishing the figure skating challenge posed by the Battle of the Blades, where he represented the Tourette Syndrome Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital as his chosen charity. One of his daughters has Tourette’s.

Belak knew he made the NHL because of his muscle, but it didn’t mean he enjoyed the work.

“On nights you knew you had to fight, there were nerves, you never slept the night before,” Belak told Mark Zwolinski in an interview last March. “But you dealt with it or you didn’t. You don’t really get over it, you just go out and do your job.”

Asked by Zwolinski for his favourite moment as a player, Belak responded:

“Probably my first NHL goal, and scoring my last NHL goal in Toronto, when I broke that streak (nearly four years without a goal). Fans were chanting my name on the streets.”

With files from Curtis Rush, Jayme Poisson and Daniel Dale

Article source: thestar.com



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Hockey Songs

By Max Bellamy

Hockey songs are inspirational songs written for the game of hockey. There are a lot of songs written about this great sport. Hockey songs are an excellent way to capture the spirit of the game.

There are many bands singing hockey songs. They play inspirational hockey songs for the team in order to boost their spirit. The themes of hockey songs vary widely from band to band. There are humorous hockey songs, songs about hockey players and songs praising the segments of famous hockey events.

There are a numerous hockey songs popular in Canada. The game of ice hockey is the most popular game and the national winter sport in Canada. Many Canadians are obsessed with hockey that has become a part of Canadian culture. Hockey songs are written in order to inspire and motivate the hockey players.

Of several hockey songs, 'The hockey song', is the best. Written by 'Stompin' Tom Connors, it is an immortal song celebrating Canada's love for hockey. Well known for its chorus, the song has spilt up verses, each one describing a period of play in a typical hockey game. This song is the most played one at all Canadian hockey events.

Another classic hockey song is the Tragically Hip song "Fifty Mission Cap." This song is a true song story about Bill Barilko, who scored one of the most famous goals in National Hockey League history. The legend of Barilko, who scored the 1951 Stanley Cup winning goal for the Toronto Maple, and his mysterious death are forever immortalized in this song.

Other popular hockey songs are "Hockey" by Jane Siberry, "Hockey Night in Canada" of The Shuffle Demons, "Gordie and My Old Man" of Grievous Angels, "The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Parts I and II" of Rheostatics, "Hit Somebody!" by Warren Zevon and "The Zamboni Song" by Gear Daddies.

Hockey provides detailed information on Hockey, Hockey Jerseys, Hockey Tickets, Hockey Equipment and more. Hockey is affiliated with Ice Hockey Goalie Equipment.

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Roller Hockey Equipment - What Do You Need for a Safe Game?

By Jack Griffith

If you have kids, then you're probably already familiar with roller hockey equipment. Also called "street hockey" or "inline hockey", many kids - and adults - are getting involved in this new sport that can be played at home anytime.

Roller hockey is played on roller skates, and a game can be started anywhere there's a smooth surface. This surface can include driveways, playgrounds, empty parking lots or even the local street, hence the name "street hockey."

The good news is that this exciting and fast-moving game gets kids outside playing and exercising instead of parked in front the Nintendo or Wii.

Roller Hockey Equipment Provides Protection from Falls and Game Bumps

Just like its counterpart ice hockey, roller hockey has its own protective equipment. This can include gloves, padded pants and jerseys, knee pads, helmets and masks. There is a goalie for roller hockey just like there is for ice hockey, and he can be pretty well bundled up for protection. Lets start with inline hockey basics.

Inline Hockey Skates Are the Foundation of Your Game

The game moves on skates, typically inline skates, which have all four wheels "in line" on the bottom of the skate. Roller hockey skates keep the game moving quickly. As with ice hockey, good support is needed for inline skates. Many of the wheels have specially designed bearings for fast motion and durability. Prices for inline skates start at about $80 and go up fast. A quality pair of skates can cost as much as $700 or more.

Inline skates are typically worn about one shoe size smaller than usual shoe size. You'll want to try on your skates before you buy them, but be aware that you want no more than an inch of space between the back of your heel and the skate. Toes should almost brush against the front inside of the skate. Your skates should feel snug and hold your foot securely when fully laced.

Be careful not to go too large, because this will cause blisters and uncomfortable calluses. Your skate should feel like it's an extension of your foot. There are special roller hockey skates for those who play goalie position.

Proper Roller Hockey Equipment Includes Elbow, Shin, Knee and Shoulder Gear

Bear in mind that just like ice hockey, there's going to be a puck flying at incredible speeds, and players will be swinging hockey sticks that can do serious damage. You'll want to prepare with roller hockey equipment that will protect against stick injuries, crashes and falls. Think about it. If you were flying around on pavement and took a fall when traveling 20 mph, you could end up with some serious road rash. Be prepared by dressing in shoulder gear, and girdles with padding in the thighs, hips and buttocks. Wear protective gloves.

There are also special knee and elbow pads. These are especially important pieces of every player's roller hockey equipment, because they protect the areas that are most prone to injury. When you fall, it's typically the knees and elbows that take the brunt of the landing.

A good helmet and mask will protect against flying pucks and swinging sticks. Be aware that goalies require even more protection, including chest, leg and arm protection. They will also wear a full helmet with mask.

Roller Hockey Equipment Needed to Play the Game

Now we get to the fun stuff! The final required roller hockey equipment needed to pay a games includes a puck, hockey sticks and a goal or net. Because the game is played on flat surfaces like pavement and cement, street hockey gives players the choice of balls or pucks.

Interestingly, roller hockey equipment now includes special balls and pucks that were developed for specific weather conditions. These are balls designed to have no bounce, and they can be used in temperatures of 32 degrees or colder with other balls for 32 degrees or warmer. One ball has even been designed to handle 70 degrees or warmer for hot weather play.

Roller hockey sticks look very similar to their ice hockey counterparts but have been designed for street play. Sticks come in right- or left-handed designs. Goalies require sticks that are slightly different, since their job, like ice hockey goalies, is different from those who move the puck up and down the court. Inline hockey sticks are also somewhat different than their ice hockey counterparts.

Lastly, of course, game requires a goal. The goal is a net, like ice hockey, and the goalie stands in front of the net to prevent the puck from entering. Nets come in several sizes, depending upon the needs of the players. If a regulation 6 x 4 foot goal is needed, then these are also available.

With a little preparation and the right roller hockey equipment, players can enjoy the outdoors and team work, too!

Jack loves home and family, and has been writing about his experiences for more than 25 years. To enjoy more of his material, please see Street Hockey Equipment and Roller Hockey Equipment.

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Jets forward Rick Rypien, 27, found dead in Alberta home

From James Mirtle of the Globe & Mail:

"Former Vancouver Canucks tough guy Rick Rypien was found dead by a family member on Monday in Crowsnest Pass, Alta.
Rypien, who signed with the Winnipeg Jets in July, had missed most of last season because of a leave of absence from the Canucks for personal issues. Local RCMP told The Globe and Mail on Monday night that the death was not suspicious."



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