What parents and players should know !

Part-I

A series of articles made up of interviews with some of the top minds in hockey at the High School, College and Professional Ranks. Every year more and more parents are solicited to spend time and money in a myriad of hockey programs. Most parents are uninformed as to how to spend their time and money. The MA/USA Hockey Satellite Training Program (STP) has passed along information on topical concerns in our sport since it's inception. How parents/players decide their course is their business. They should however receive balanced information in order to make wise choices. All too often the information received is one-sided. So, read what experienced coaches and NHL scouts and GM's have to say. Then choose...

Herb Brooks, 1980 Gold Medal Olympic Coach, 2002 Silver Medal, Pro Coach "There are too many identification things (leagues, teams or tournaments) instead of development programs. Development does not occur in these identification camps You only get better through longer intelligent practices, you do not get that in an "All-Star" Tournament The Satellite Training Program is the way to go. It develops athleticism, which is transferable to the sport (hockey). Young kids should not be afraid to fail.

The best thing is a well run Satellite Program, developing hand skills, intuitive feel and allowing players to be in an environment where they don't fear failure.

If you are paying a lot of money for an identification/exposure program, just break down the cost per minute. You do not come close to getting a return on your investment, compared to a well-run practice or development program. These exposure things don't make sense. What about development? The Satellite Program besides being developmental is cost effective, not t mention proper off ice training. I urge parents to look at how they are spending their time and their money."

Not only has the MA/USA Hockey STP been an incubator for local hockey players aged 12 - 17 it has also produced several coaches. U.S. National Development Team coaches John Hynes and David Quinn both started their careers in the Satellite program. In addition Mike Bavis (BU assistant) and Ken Rausch (Lowell assistant) started their coaching careers in the program. Both of who still contribute to the program.

John Hynes Head Coach National Development Team Program (NDTP) :

"The 2002 Under 18 Gold Medal Team and this years 2004 World Junior Gold Medal Team, used many of the lessons I developed as a coach in the Satellite Program several years ago, " says Hynes, now the Director of NDTP in Ann Arbor, "and along with Coach Mike Eaves we implemented them."


"I have been with the National Team for 4 years and every player that we have taken from the Massachusetts Satellite program have been of high character, work ethic. They are physically ready for the off ice training and practice habits are excellent. More important they are mentally prepared for coaching, adversity, team play... because they are educated by professional people who instill passion, purpose and respect for the game and teach these kids that the process is more important than the goal.


If you love the process of training, educating yourself on what successful people have done, putting yourself in challenging on ice situations then you will give yourself every chance to truly become a better player", 

says Hynes.