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What is the IceHawks?
The IceHawks is a program that blends what we feel are the best aspects of town hockey with AAA hockey. It's local hockey with your kid's friends played in local rinks with local practices. It's hockey played for fun and enjoyment. But, it is also a place where your kids can develop their skills better. Regularly scheduled well run practices with a skills based focus will make your players better than if they stayed in town hockey.
What rinks do you practice in?
We have practices at the new rink at Governor's Academy in Byfield as well as at The Pingree School in Hamilton, MA. We also rent ice at the Hattrick Skills rink in Middleton for skills sessions.
What will practices be like next season?
No wasted time. I am a stickler for no wasted time in practices and for keeping the kids completely engaged. The focus this summer and next season will be on skills, skills, skills, particularly on the fast transitions that hockey players have to make forwards, backwards and side to side with and without the puck. Hockey is a game of speed. Once a skill is learned, we will push our kids to attempt that skill at a speed that is out of their comfort zone. We will encourage them to "fail forward", make mistakes in practice without fear of ridicule until they master the new, faster speed. Then we will do it again until we have a fast skating team. This is called "overspeed training".
What makes the IceHawks different than town hockey?
The IceHawks as an organization are focused on skill development. The focus is on well run practices and drills that will develop each player to their top potential. Games are less important. The top players in the NHL have the puck on their sticks for seconds every game, not minutes. How long is the puck on your player's stick in a a well run practice? Answer: minutes upon minutes of repetitions, learning how to do things the right way. That, plus the focus on edges, proper body position and stride, particularly in the classroom setting of Hattrick's skills rink will help IceHawks kids become better players.
What Equipment will me child need for Learn To Skate?
Every Learn To Skate player will need to be in full equipment from skates to helmet and including a hockey stick. This program is for kids who are redy to learn how to play hockey as well as skate.
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