11/04/2012
Interesting article.......
A pro scout on hockey training
By Chris Pryor
I have been around the game a few years and over the course of time, the training routine of a hockey player has changed. Not too long ago a workout would consist of just pumping iron in the weight room. Then the European intervention came into play with plyometrics, leaping, bounding, etc.
Flash forward to the world we live in today for a young hockey player. There are programs abound to choose from. You don’t have to look too hard to find a personal trainer or training center that specializes in training for hockey.
Hockey, as with other sports, has become a year-round business. When it was a seasonal sport there was no need to “cross train,” players were already doing it with their involvement in other “offseason” sports (i.e. baseball, football, etc.). But fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you want to look at it, we have to look elsewhere to get that now.
I do believe we as players do need to incorporate other activities into our résumé. From playing a friendly game of pre-game soccer, to a pick-up game of baseball, to hitting a few golf balls, it is important not only from a physical standpoint but a mental one at that. You need to challenge your muscles and mind.
Because of the time commitment it takes to play more than one sport, it makes it incredibly difficult to actively play another organized sport. However, this doesn’t mean we cannot participate in other sports on a recreational basis. As a player starts getting older, he or she must remember that it is a whole lot easier to get into shape if you never let yourself get out of shape.
Once your season ends this doesn’t mean your fitness level should be put on hold. Seek out other activities. Either find a gym or trainer, pick up a golf club, tennis racquet or a baseball glove. This will not only help your game on the ice but create important habits that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Chris Pryor is the director of hockey operations for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is in charge of the amateur and pro scouting departments. A native of St. Paul, Pryor spent eight seasons as a scout for the Flyers. He played parts of six seasons in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars and New York Islanders. If you have a question for a pro hockey scout, e-mail it to [email protected].