If you are a hockey player that is looking to get drafted or seeking advice, you will want to secure a high-quality agent who has your best interests in mind. Yes, agents need to make money for themselves, but you don’t want somebody who is willing to sacrifice your livelihood for a few extra bucks. They have to have a balanced understanding of the hockey world and of your personal interests. If you are in the market for a hockey agent, consider some of these tips as you find your potential match.
Honesty
This is probably the most important trait in an agent, as you need to be able to trust them with your negotiations and finances. If at any point you feel that your agent isn’t being completely honest with you, it is probably time to find someone new. Make sure that your agent is willing to disclose any and all information with you, including the times that you may have been rejected or given negative feedback. Don’t let your agent shower you with sunshine and rainbows only to find out that they were not truthful the entire time.
You need an agent that will sometimes be willing to hurt your feelings if the truth is on the line. Leading you on to believe that you have a chance with a certain team may help your confidence in the short-run, but it will only serve to hurt you in the long-run as it will compromise opportunities you may have had with other teams and might even soothe you into a false sense of security. Always make sure that you trust your agent to tell you the truth and to look out for your best interests.
Availability
If you can’t get a hold of your agent, how are you supposed to know what sort of progress you are making? Yes, agents have busy schedules and often service a boatload of clients, but they must be able to communicate with you within a reasonable amount of time. After all, they are working to find you a team and a deal that could change your life. It is important to be able to get a hold of your agent at virtually any time.
This doesn’t mean to ditch an agent just because he didn’t answer your call once. Realize that he is busy and evaluate him based on whether or not he calls you back and the level of urgency he has when doing so. If you need to keep calling him in order to get in touch with him, then maybe it is time to consider someone else. However, if he calls you back immediately and keeps all lines of communication open as often as possible, you might have a solid, trustworthy agent on your hands.
Passion
Some agents show more emotion than their clients when it comes to landing a gig. This is a great quality in an agent, and yours should show that he really wants you to find a team and sign a deal. He should constantly be searching for new deals and be just as if not more excited than you when he gets a lead. Would you really want an agent that seems like he doesn’t care whether or not you succeed in hockey?
Passionate agents are usually more hard-working and able to get the job done. They enjoy what they’re doing to the extent that they won’t give up until they succeed. Their livelihood depends on it, and they want to witness your success not only as an agent but also as a sports fan. Many of them are obsessed with sports, and that’s why they are so good with numbers and negotiations. Don’t settle for a lackluster agent who is just going through the motions. Find someone who is passionate about the game and about your success.
Good Reputation
Sometimes, agents can be known as manipulative, slimy, or just dishonest. These are not the kind of people you want working for you, even if they’ve experienced a good amount of success in the past. In the long run, teams and players don’t enjoy working with these agents, as they are only out to make as much money as possible and they will drop you at the first sign of a decline in play or any disagreement.
Make sure to do your homework and talk to other players and/or parents about agents with whom they have experience. You want to find someone that has a sterling reputation across the sport. Your agent can be a reflection of you, and you don’t want teams to think that you are simply a greedy player who wants to sign the biggest cheque possible. You want to convey an image of someone who will work hard and is passionate about the game. The team wants to know that you are committed to helping them win, not just cashing a cheque every week. Picking the right agent can have a strong effect on your personal image, so choose wisely
Communication
This goes hand in hand with availability, but you want an agent that has strong communication skills and lets you know what’s going on at every turn. If he is holding information from you or is simply unable to articulate what he is working on, it will be difficult to maintain a strong relationship with him. Make sure that you get along with him and that your conversations are natural and productive.
Your agent should be able to speak via phone, text, email, and in person. You don’t want someone that just sticks to one form of communication, as this makes it difficult to get a hold of him and may hinder your ability to sign a good deal. You should always be in talks with your agent, finding out the most recent news all over the league as well as learning what he has planned for your future in the sport.
These 5 areas are only a few factors to keep in mind. Remember first impressions and gut instinct can and should always be considered as well when making this decision.
NHL skating coach Lucas Lawson was born on August 10th, 1979 in Braeside, Ontario. Lucas grew up loving the sport of hockey and played it any chance he got, but he really buckled down and began to take the sport seriously at the midget and junior levels of minor hockey.
Lucas played three impressive seasons as a left wing for the Kanata Valley Lasers of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). For his outstanding performance with the Lasers, at age 19, Lucas received an NCAA scholarship to the University of Maine to play hockey. He played for the University of Maine for four seasons, posting more remarkable results each year. In his final year with the University of Maine, Lucas set a record for the most consecutive games scored with a goal, at 8 games in a row.
Move to NHL
After finishing up at UMaine, Lucas signed an NHL contract with the New York Rangers in 2003. He played in the American Hockey league (AHL) for the Hartford Wolf Pack, The Rangers’ affiliate team, for two seasons from 2003-2005. Lucas won the regular season title with the Hartford Wolf Pack in his first year with them.
Lucas spent the next five years playing hockey all over Europe. He first played in Finland, then in Belarus for a couple seasons, then in Germany, and finally in Sweden, which is where Lucas’s claim to fame from his European hockey days took place. While in Sweden, Lucas scored a game-winning goal for his team, AIK. That game happened to be the deciding factor that got AIK promoted to Sweden’s top hockey league.
After his illustrious playing career, Lucas turned to coaching, specializing in skating. With years of playing experience under his belt, Lucas began instructing skating for the Montreal Canadiens’ summer development camp. Lucas has also instructed at many different hockey development camps in Ottawa and around the world.
Lucas has years of experience playing and coaching hockey at the most elite level. His knowledge and training make him an expert-level skating instructor. In 2017, Lucas joined HockeySkillsTraining.com, where he offers his skating expertise through his online training videos available to hockey players everywhere.
Kristopher Beech was born on February 5th, 1981 in Salmon Arm, British Colombia. Although, he grew up in the nearby town of Sicamous, British Colombia. And, you may have guessed, he grew up playing hockey.
Kris obtained a diverse range of experience over the course of two decades playing hockey in the NHL, AHL, and, most recently, internationally. Kris played five seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Calgary Hitmen from 1996-2001. He posted dominating performances in every season throughout his WHL stint.
Because of his outstanding performance as a centre on the Hitmen, Kris was drafted 7th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1999 NHL draft. Shortly after the draft, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kris spent the next four seasons (2001-2005) playing on-and-off in the NHL for the Penguins. When he wasn’t playing for Pittsburgh, Kris played in the American Hockley League (AHL) for the Penguins’ affiliate team, the Wilke-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Kris then spent the 2006-2007 season playing for the Washington Capitals.
After hopping around a few more AHL and NHL teams in the 2007-2008 season, Kris signed his first overseas contract. He headed over to play in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL, formerly SEL) for a team called “HV71,” where Kris played a fantastic opening season in Sweden.
From 2008-2016, Kris played hockey all over Europe. He played two additional, successful seasons (2009-2011) for the SHL’s HV71 and followed by playing a season in Finland for the hockey club “Lukko Rauma.” Kris played in the Czech Republic for half a season, in Germany, in Austria, and, most recently, in Northern Ireland for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in 2015-2016.
Throughout his playing career, Kris earned numerous awards and accomplishments. He won the 1999 WHL Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Calgary Hitmen. Kris was named the MVP of the Wilke-Barre/Scranton Penguins twice (2003-2004, 2005-2006). He won the 2006 AHL Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears. He also won the SHL Silver Medal with HV71 in 2008-2009 and was named the SHL Le Mat champion with HV71 in the 2009-2010 season.
Apart from his decades of playing experience, Kris Beech has an enormous list of qualifications that make him an elite mindfulness coach. Kris became a Certified Personal Trainer, Performance Enhancement Specialist, and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2014. After that, he became a Certified Meditation Instructor through MacLean Meditation Institute in 2015. Kris then received a Master of Science (MSc.) in Sports Management from Ulster University Business School in 2016.
In 2017, Kris founded AIM Mindfulness, a business that helps athletes harness the power of meditation and mindfulness to improve in their chosen sport. In 2018, Kris joined HockeySkillsTraining.com where he is able to offer his experience & expertise in his online training videos to players everywhere.
Hockey arenas collect tickets, serve food and drinks, provide music, lighting, and prepare their ice surface for hours of intense hockey action. All this in consideration, which arena is the best? Which arena hosts the most entertaining, comfortable and enjoyable hockey games?
Ranking the NHL arenas in order of which one is “the best” is, of course, a completely subjective process. There are many factors that must be considered to determine whether an arena is “good,” and certain fans can love one arena that other fans may dislike. Still, many hockey fans have weighed in on the subject over the years, and many reporters, news outlets, and hockey websites have compiled lists of the best NHL arenas in North America.
Madison Square Garden. Located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, and home to the New York Rangers.
Madison Square Garden (MSG) opened in 1968, making in the current oldest NHL arena still in use. Aside from hosting sporting events, MSG is also a busy concert venue—-in 2016, it was the second-busiest music arena in the world based on ticket sales.
A few years ago, MSG underwent a billion-dollar renovation that improved many aspects of the arena: the sight lines for fans, the lighting, the food options, and the cleanliness, among other things. With the recent renovations, MSG is a fine choice to catch a hockey game.
Rogers Place (Edmonton Oilers)
Rogers Place. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, home of the Edmonton Oilers, and opened officially in 2016.
Rogers Place was built to replace Northlands Coliseum, and altogether the project cost a whopping $600 million. Being newly built, the interior of the arena is attractive and sleek, with great sight lines and food options.
United Center (Chicago Blackhawks)
The United Center in Chicago, Illinois, home to the Chicago Blackhawks and was completed in 1994.
For visual interest, the arena contains statues of various Chicago-based sports legends like Michael Jordan, Stan Mikita, and Bobby Hull. The United Center is the largest arena in the U.S. in terms of sheer size, and is quite tall, at 140ft. It’s an extraordinarily loud stadium, and the volume magnification produces powerful national anthems and roaring cheers that are sure to excite any patron.
SAP Center (San Jose Sharks)
The SAP Center, also knows as “The Shark Tank,” was opened in 1993. The arena is in San Jose, California, and is home to the San Jose Sharks.
Originally, is was named the “San Jose Arena.” In 2001, the naming rights were bought by Compaq, who named the arena the “Compaq Center at San Jose.” A year later, the name was changed to “HP Pavilion” after HP purchased the naming rights. In 2013, once again, the name of the arena changed to the current “SAP Center” when the rights were bought by the company SAP.
Talk about an identity crisis!
The SAP Center is reportedly the loudest building in the NHL and is very spacious and comfortable for the fans. The sight lines are fantastic and so is the food; a hockey game at the SAP Center promises a good time!
Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators)
Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The Bridgestone arena was completed in 1996. It’s located right on Nashville’s broadway strip, so there’s always a party nearby, if not at the arena! The Bridgestone often hosts concerts along with its sporting events and offers a wide variety of poplar country artists to sing the national anthem at the Predators games. If you want to have fun before, during, and after a hockey game, be sure to visit Bridgestone Arena!
Xcel Energy Center (Minnesota Wild)
The Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, home to—-you guessed it—-the Minnesota Wild.
The arena’s nickname is “The X,” and it was opened in late 2000 with a moderate seating capacity of almost 18,000 people. The Xcel Energy Center is said to be home to some of the friendliest hockey fans out there. Also, hanging from the concourse of the arena is a jersey from every high school in Minnesota.
The Xcel Energy Center also boasts a classic organ that’s played during Wild games, setting a fantastic nostalgic atmosphere.
Bell MTS Place (Winnipeg Jets)
The Bell MTS Place in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. The arena is home to the Winnipeg Jets.
The Bell MTS Place was built to replace the declining Winnipeg Arena, and began officially operating in late 2004. The arena was originally supposed to be named the “True North Centre” but adopted the name MTS after Manitoba Telecom Services following a naming rights disagreement. Once Bell acquired MTS, they slapped their name on the front as well.
Although Bell MTS Place is a relatively small arena, it is routinely considered one of the most spirited, lively places to catch a hockey game. Winnipeg, itself, is one of the smaller markets for hockey, but the arena is always packed with devout fans cheering on their home team.
Bell Centre (Montreal Canadiens)
The Bell Centre in downtown Montreal, Quebec, home to the Montreal Canadiens.
The Bell Centre was opened in 1996 after three years of construction. It has steeply sloped grandstands, which help all fans see the ice no matter their seats and has an impressive video board and laser light shows. It’s the only NHL arena that can seat over 20,000 people and is credited with having the best hockey atmosphere.
The NHL Player’s Association recently conducted a poll requesting hockey players to vote on many different topics including skills, other players, and arenas. By the poll, the Bell Centre was also named the arena that NHL players most enjoyed playing at and the arena with the best ice.
What arena do you consider the best? Let us know on Instagram!
Have you ever watched an NHL game on TV? Considering how popular and widespread the sport of hockey is, it would be a difficult feat to have avoided seeing one. You’ll know, then, that televised NHL games are edited to be as entertaining and intense as possible. Multiple cameras capture all the action of the game, accompanied by energetic music and intelligent commentary. The teams battle under the watch of millions, doing everything they can to score and end the game as victors.
The action doesn’t last forever, though. Twice a game (sometimes three, for overtime), there is a seventeen-minute long intermission between periods. On television, this intermission time is filled with commercials, interviews, and professional analysis of the game so far. That way, the viewer is always entertained by something.
But what do the players do during the intermission time? They don’t just stay on the ice and skate around; they need a break from the harsh physical strain they’ve just endured. Here are eight of the most common things that NHL players do in between periods:
Rest
The main purpose of intermission for players is to give them a chance to rest. Playing in an NHL-level hockey game, even if only for a few minutes, is strenuous. Having a chance to sit down, catch your breath, and relax is vital to maintaining the energy needed to perform well for the periods to come.
Refuel
Along with resting comes refueling. Players use a lot of energy out on the ice that they need to somehow recover. Every player uses the intermission as an opportunity to rehydrate, either with water or a sports drink. That way, they’ll feel refreshed and reenergized for the rest of the game and can continue giving their all out on the ice.
Some players will also eat something during their break to help refuel. While it’s ill-advised to consume heavy food close to a workout, some players will have a light snack along with their drink. Foods like fruit, cereal bars, and sandwiches are most common.
Fix Their Equipment
Wearing a full set of hockey gear can be mighty uncomfortable, even for NHL players who have had years to get used to it. Moreover, it’s easy for individual pieces of equipment to slip into awkward positions out on this ice, where players don’t exactly have the time to fix it.
Most players will remove their jerseys and shoulder pads between periods to allow themselves to be more comfortable for a while. Some players even remove their skates as well. In addition, any other pieces of gear that are bothering a player have a chance to be repositioned for the next period, so they can play as comfortably as possible.
Re-tape Their Sticks
Just as the chalk on the end of a pool cue will wear out over time, so will the tape on the blade of a hockey stick. Hockey locker rooms are littered with hockey tape for the purpose of re-taping sticks during intermission. That way, players can keep the tape on their stick refreshed and won’t have to worry about the blade being damaged or the puck sliding off of it.
Talk Strategy
The break time between periods affords the coach a fantastic opportunity to talk to their entire team at once in a (relatively) quiet and closed environment. During the strategy talk, the coach will typically analyze the play from the most recent period and make any necessary changes to the team’s initial game plan. Of course, the players can also weigh in on the discussion and give their opinions, working with the coach to come up with the best plan for the rest of the game.
Use the Restroom
This is likely the most obvious item on the list of NHL intermission activities. Playing in an NHL game is extremely physically demanding, so hockey players are apt to sweat a lot. As a result, they intake a massive amount of fluids to stay hydrated throughout the game. The result of drinking a ton of water, I’m sure, can well be guessed.
Goof Around
Playing any sport at the highest possible level can be stressful and emotionally draining. One thing that players love to do during the breaks between periods is goof around. You know, banter, crack jokes, play little games with their teammates; all in the name of letting off some steam built up by the intensity of the sport.
This point can butt heads with the coach’s strategy talks in the form of constantly interrupting them. For that reason, the coach often despises the goofing around that the players do in the locker room. But, just like a class of fifth graders annoying their teacher, a bit of good fun will always be a part of every hockey team, no matter the age or skill level.
Other Specific Rituals
The intermissions between periods are seventeen minutes long. Even if a player were to partake in all seven other things on the list, they would still likely have some time left over before the needed to return to the ice. Most players fill said extra time just by resting more, to ensure they can perform at their best. Some players, though, have found more unique ways to pass the time.
Some players will take a shower during the intermission to feel revitalized for the upcoming period. Other players choose to meditate, closing their eyes, staying silent and visualizing their success for the remainder of the game. Some players have superstitions they adhere to like Ray Bourque, who would change the laces on his stakes every single intermission.
So, that’s what NHL players do in between periods, while fans too have their own habits during this time….but that’s another article for another day!
When it comes to a hockey game, being prepared is key. Once game day rolls around, each player must be ready both physically, mentally, and emotionally in order to play their best. A lack of preparation can lead to slower reaction times, lackadaisical plays, and an inability to catch up to a faster, more prepared team. For many, preparation begins days before the game and lasts right up until the time the puck drops. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the big game, no matter what league you are playing in.
Physical Fitness: Leading up to Game Day
You want to be in peak physical shape before a hockey game. This means that you are strong yet flexible, ready to dole out big hits but able to skate nimbly across the ice. For this, you must keep up with a strong workout regimen and time it correctly. While you should have a steady weight routine, you want to avoid lifting anything the day before the game or on game day. This allows your muscles time to recover so that they can be ready to go when the game comes along.
Stretching is highly important before the game, and you should be sure to stretch all of your muscles and even use a foam roller the day before the game. Work on your stickhandling, shooting and skill routines to get your mind and body in tune. You can also focus on quickness and agility, doing sprints and mobility exercises.
Physical Fitness: On Game Day
When game day finally rolls around, you want to treat it like a relatively normal day. Go to bed on time the night before and get plenty of sleep, but don’t sleep in, as that can make you groggier. Start your day with some light exercise such as a jog or bike ride. Make sure to eat a healthy breakfast that has a good balance of carbs and protein, but don’t overdo it.
Several hours before the game, you should get some practice in. Work on your off-ice stickhandling as well as shooting so that you can get locked in. Get some rest after this and eat a light but satisfying meal about 30 minutes before you head to the rink.
Once you get to the rink, take some time to do some warmup drills and skate around the ice. Get a feel for the rink and start practicing warm ups with some of your teammates. If you have any other pre-game rituals, now is the time get them out. You can also take a shower before the game to get the blood flowing and give yourself a boost of energy. It can be beneficial to switch between cold and hot water as this helps to improve circulation which can give you extra stamina throughout the game.
Mental Preparation: Before Game Day
Physical preparation is just part of the puzzle – you must be mentally prepared as well if you want to play to your highest ability. You don’t want to stress yourself out too much leading up to the game, but you still need to take some time to go over strategies and get yourself focused. Do some of this on your own time so that you can get your own personal feel for the game. However, you should also collaborate with coaches teammates in order to come up with sound, cohesive strategy.
You can prepare by watching video of yourself or other hockey players. If you have tape of the other team, this is a great way to get an idea of their style of play. Read up on different strategies and decide if they work with your skills and abilities. Come up with a solid game plan that you can stick to, but one that is flexible so that you can adjust if the other team starts to figure you out. It is important to have a plan, but it’s more important to be open to change in the face of adversity.
Mental Preparation: On Game Day
This is when you really need to get yourself into a zone. However, you don’t want to wear yourself out before you even begin playing. Go throughout your day as you normally would, letting your mind drift in and out of hockey. Don’t dwell on the game, as this can lead to anxiety that will make things worse. Just let your mind work in the way it normally does, staying focused on your other tasks until it is time to start playing. Don’t worry about thinking too hard at this point. You have several hours before you need to lock in your focus.
Once you get to the rink, however, everything changes. Now it is time to get into your zone and get your brain into hockey mode. The best way to do this is to start with visualization. Step out on the ice and paint a picture in your mind of how you want this game to go. Think about each corner of the ice and what moves you can make to overcome the other team. Try to visualize as many different scenarios as possible and come up with solutions for each and every one of them. Doing so not only gives you a solid strategy, but also keeps your mind off of some of the stress that comes from external factors.
Because you allowed yourself to think about other things throughout the day, you can now focus specifically on hockey. In the next few hours, hockey should be the only thing on your mind. If you find your mind wandering during the game, think back to your visualization exercise and try to recall all of the scenarios that might happen. You can help yourself get locked in by developing an on-ice character and going through all the pre-game rituals with your teammates. Just remember that the game is all that matters at this particular time.
