As reported in the recent GDI Highlights, GDI Minntoka's coach Matt Millar will be based out of a new ice rink that will serve as a GDI Satellite Training Center. This is a great accomplishment for Millar, who will have access to more ice time and thus freedom in scheduling more private lessons, clinics and camps.GDI's newest satellite center will be in Minnesota. Here's what he had to say when GDI Hockey Blog asked a few questions...
GDI Hockey Blog: What will you be able to do now that you have a satellite training center that you couldn't do before?
Matt Millar: I think that the best part of the new training center in Lakeville, MN would have to be the partnership between GDI and the program called the Players Club. This is a program where players can attend certain sessions during the week for skill development. GDI has been allowed to become an addition to this program, which now provides the goaltenders an opportunity for skill development as well. The hour skate is going to involve individual skill development in the beginning of the practice for the goaltenders, much like a 1-1 training session. After the curriculum is completed, the players and the goalies then join to have a structured time of development in which both the players and the goalies will benefit from mutually challenging drills.
GDI: What's the best part about having a satellite center?
MM: For me, the best part about having a training center would have to be the fact that we partnered with an existing player development company. The Hockey Development Company is like-minded in its approach towards player development as we are towards the development of goaltenders. It's great having conversations on development with similarly minded coaches, even if they happen to be player coaches. This transfers onto the ice as well, when coaching mutually understood as essential for development. So if the players or goaltenders start to cut corners, the coaches are on the same page with discipline and/or praise. The ease and flexibility that comes with having set ice times for 1-1 training, clinics, and the Players Club makes scheduling much easier.
Matt Millar: I think that the best part of the new training center in Lakeville, MN would have to be the partnership between GDI and the program called the Players Club. This is a program where players can attend certain sessions during the week for skill development. GDI has been allowed to become an addition to this program, which now provides the goaltenders an opportunity for skill development as well. The hour skate is going to involve individual skill development in the beginning of the practice for the goaltenders, much like a 1-1 training session. After the curriculum is completed, the players and the goalies then join to have a structured time of development in which both the players and the goalies will benefit from mutually challenging drills.
GDI: What's the best part about having a satellite center?
MM: For me, the best part about having a training center would have to be the fact that we partnered with an existing player development company. The Hockey Development Company is like-minded in its approach towards player development as we are towards the development of goaltenders. It's great having conversations on development with similarly minded coaches, even if they happen to be player coaches. This transfers onto the ice as well, when coaching mutually understood as essential for development. So if the players or goaltenders start to cut corners, the coaches are on the same page with discipline and/or praise. The ease and flexibility that comes with having set ice times for 1-1 training, clinics, and the Players Club makes scheduling much easier.
GDI: How will your students benefit from the satellite center?
MM: As I stated earlier, the ease and flexibility that comes with having set ice times for 1-1 training, clinics, and the Players Club makes scheduling much easier. For any goaltender, mite to pro, consistent training is the key for continued development and breaking though training plateaus. It also is nice for the parents to have a plan for what will be happening during the season or summer and can plan for it financially and allow for the proper amount of work or rest for their athlete during the hockey season or the off-season. Events can tend to be overwhelming in the season, with practices, games and other sport conflicts. With the new training center, it will be reassuring to know that no matter what season or how crowded the schedule, there will be consistent training available.
Additionally, Millar recommended a new blog to keep up with, Coming Down The Pipe! This blog is written by GDI goaltender Mike Lee to chronicle his experiences leading up to the Draft as well as during it. Lee is currently ranked #4 in North America for the NHL Draft. Should be an exciting read!
Mike Lee is 6'1 and 185 pounds. He ended last season with 26 wins, a .918 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average in Fargo. He played in the USHL All-Star game and the 2008 WJAC Challenge in Camrose, AB where he represented the United States and backstopped them to a gold medal finish. Lee will attend St. Cloud State University next season.
No comments:
Post a Comment