Wildcats Christmas Party

Hockey Goalie Motivation

And for you silly goalies......

D Joins the Rush!

Outnumbered Situations

Power Play

Goals Generated by Going to the Net! - PART 2

Goals Generated by Going to the Net!- Part 1

Zone Exit Options - Wheel It!

Zone Exit Options - Turn It Back!

Zone Exit Options - Get It to Your Partner!

Zone Exit Options - Get It and Move It!

Watch as a Reminder of Zone Exits (Breakout) From DZONE Responsibilities

Promises Made...

At the North York Showcase earlier this month, I asked each player to make a promise to their teammates regarding the type of player they were going to be. We spoke about the types of things you can control, how making a promise has to include trust from your teammates that they believe you. It also involves belief of the person making the promise. Belief that they can hold up their end of the bargain. The season has just begun, but I trust our players completely. They have played hard, put in the effort, and believe in each other. I take them at their words and look forward to going forward together.
I took a photo of the sticky note the players wrote their promises on before our game in North York. Please take some time to look for yours, your teammates and always remember:
I promise give is a promise kept....

Coach Mike 

 

Defense 101 - Using the Markings

Defensive Zone Coverage - Defensemen

Defensive Zone Coverage - Wings

Defensive Zone Coverage - Centers

Defensive Zone Coverage Box +1 RB

Line Combinations and D Pairings

Corrine    Gracie     Kiki 

Keira       Maggie     Karina

Annie      Chloe       Amy

Emmersyn         Coco

Ella                  Emma

Lauren            (Ginny....dog in the face...injured)

What It Takes and Tomorrows Practice....

If you are reading this with sore or Jello-like legs...good for you! What we will do this year won't always be easy... but it will be fun, worthwhile, and challenging. It was a great first day of many to follow. I'm proud of the push each of you made during our practice as well as our sprint/plyometric training. Tomorrow is practice number two and training number 2 as well. Practice will be the same except we will get to the Stampede Angling Drill for sure so take a look at the video in the previous posts.

And....speaking of videos, take a look and a listen to the following video and draw some inspiration for those times when you feel like you are competing your hardest and you have to give a little more. Remember...GREATNESS IS NOT GIVEN...IT'S EARNED...
If you watched the Olympics you've probably seen this but, I think it's pretty cool to watch a few more times.

See you at the rink,
Coach Mike 

 

Videos and Stuff...

The following three posts are videos of skills and drills that we will be introducing tonight at practice. The Practice plan is posted in the left-hand sidebar under "Practice Plans". There may be slight modifications or additions to the plan but if you take a look it will give you a good idea of what we will be doing.

See you at the rink,
Coach Mike

Stampede Angling

Rabbit - Coyote

Skating Warm Up

The numbers are in....

The numbers are in and here they are!

1 Sydney

2 Keira 

4 Lauren 

5 Ella

6 Maggie 

7 Coco 

8 Kiarra 

9 Corinne 

10 Annie 

11 Gracie 

12 Karina 

13 Emma 

14 Chloe 

15 Emersynn 

16 Ginny 

17 Amy 

31 Kara

Awesome! 

Coach Mike

First Ice Times for the Wildcats Pride

I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful weather and long summer days as much as we are in the Speer family! That being said we have a few new items to add to the upcoming days in August. 

Our first two practices have been scheduled for:
August 29th @Splex 3 from 6:30 PM-7:30PM
August 31st @Splex 2 from 6:30 PM-7:30PM

Please arrive at least 40 minutes before the practice on August 29th as we would like to go over some routines and expectations. We also need at least one parent available in order to sign our ODWHA waiver. This needs to be completed before the end of August so if you are unable to make it to either practice please let me know so other arrangements to sign can be made.

Also, I would like to have a brief parent meeting on August 31st, to answer any questions that may have arisen over the summer and to hopefully vote on the revised budget that Michelle sent out and that is available to print out in the sidebar labelled Team Documents. 

Lastly, we are going to try to make available teamwear for players to try on at one of the practices. We will be looking at purchasing Team jackets and hoodies, and pair them with black tights/yoga pants/track pants that your girls already have in their wardrobe. Thanks to Viv and Lori for pulling this together.

Very lastly, Andrea has done a ton of leg work to set up a trip to the Jay's game for Friday evening of the North York Showcase. A huge thank you and pleas be sure to sign up for tickets ASAP. I am attaching her Teamsnap message below in case you missed it.

Thanks,
Coach Mike

Hi Everyone,
We may have an opportunity to see a Jays game while we are at the North York Showcase on Friday, September 9th.  The tournament organizer is graciously coordinating our game times to allow us to get to this 7:00 game (Good Job Mike!)
Tickets are about $25 each (final number to be given once ordered) and they are selling out so I would like to get this finalized as quickly as possible.  Please follow the link below to indicate the number of tickets you would like and I will order together. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TJM7BJHZjyFsxVAwUZQq2Xv7OrR_RA4E_g9xGrqRhqE/edit?usp=sharing

It isn't guaranteed until I order the tickets but hopefully all will go smoothly if everyone fills out the form and the tickets are still available. 
Andrea

.

 

Number Crunching...

Hey girls, it is time to pick your jersey number for the upcoming hockey season! Please send Coach Mike your 3 top selections for the number you would like to wear for the upcoming hockey season. Hopefully everyone will get their top pick...HOWEVER...if multiple players select the same number I will break the tie with a flip of the coin (Don’t worry it’s lucky).

Numbers available for goalies are 1 and 31 (But you two probably have this figured out already) and numbers 2-17 for players.

I have included this link from nhl.com that ranks the top player of all time who wore/wears each jersey number up to number 33.    Click on this link for hockey by the numbers

Here are some top women’s players from past & present and their numbers. Have a look!

Jayna Hefford 16, Hilary Knight 21, Lori Dupuis 12, Danielle Goyette 15, Cassie Campbell, 77, Geraldine Heaney 91, Meghan Agosta 2, Hayley Wickenheiser 22, Natalie Spooner 24, Rebecca Johnston 6, Marie-Philip Poulin 29, Katie Weatherston 8

New app focuses on young athlete mental health side.
The BeGameReady app was launched by the Royal, D.I.F.D. and the Ottawa Senators Foundation on Dec. 22, 2015. It focuses on the mental side of hockey, getting young players prepared before games and helping debrief them afterwards.
The free, bilingual app is designed to help children age 10 to 16 deal with stress, anxiety and other mental health issues before and after games.
Users can track their moods and get tips on how to manage their feelings, learn breathing exercises and meditation and send "power pucks" of encouragement to teammates who have done a good job.
For more information, go to https://begameready.ca/

GoPro: Strong is Beautiful - Ice Hockey with Hilary Knight

PEEWEE AA Off- Season Training Program

Before we get stated I want you all to know that this summer training program is completely voluntary and is just a resource for you to use if you choose to follow it. It is by no means mandatory and there will not be any testing performed. It is purely an tool for you to use if you want.

Below are some videos that will demonstrate what the exercises look like. Gin was kind enough to be my demonstrator! Follow the link below to a copy of the Training Program. It will also be posted in the sidebar titled "Links for Players".

 NGHA PEEWEE AA Off-Season Training Program link

Thanks,
Coach Mike

Training Program Videos

 Single Leg Bunny Hops (2sets of 20 reps)

 Push-Ups (2sets of 7-10reps)

Skater Power Strides (2sets of 15reps)

Wall Stands (2sets of 30-45 seconds)

Hopscotch (2sets of 20 reps)

5 Cone Shuttle Run (2sets of 45 seconds Full Speed!)

Plank (2sets of 1minute)

Power Squat Hops (2sets of 10-15 reps)

Dips(2sets of 10 reps)

Lateral Squats (2 sets of 20 reps/ 10 each leg)

Wrist Rolls (2sets of 45-60 seconds)

Changing from a Pack to a Pride....But Why?

During our first exhibition game I started our Wildcats out with the mind set and team identity encapsulated by the quote, "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack". 

Well times they are a changing...slightly....I believe it was Les who whispered to me on the bench, "hey, you could have used a Lion's Pride analogy, I mean Lions are wildcats."

Right.... and so the re branding begins....

"For the strength of the Pride is the Wildcat, and the strength of the Wildcat is the Pride"

And here's why:

A Pride of big cats is basically a group of related females that are loyal to each other, usually for their whole life. They hunt together in an intelligent, strategic way that provides sustenance for the entire group. 

  

I think this definitely fits better and hopefully you can see the relation to a hockey team in there. This will be the imagery we use throughout the year to foster togetherness and teamwork.

  

Together we will be Mobile, Agile, and Hostile! 

Coach Mike 

 

BIG CATS ADDED TO THE PRIDE...

Some Big Cats have been added to the Coaching Staff of our Peewee AA Wildcats' Pride!

Coaches Mike and Pier will be joined on the bench this season by Dan McGillis (Defence) and Craig Boassly (Goalie Lead/Forwards),two coaches who bring both experience and enthusiasm to our group.

We are also pleased to announce our on ice staff, which includes Vince Sacca, Mike Smith, and Ian Fulton, all of whom will be an essential part of our player development and Wildcat culture.

Welcome to the Pride....

For the strength of the Pride is the Wildcat, and the strength of the Wildcat is the Pride...(like the wolf...but a big cat)...