After my skill academy, I went downtown to watch the Flames pre-game skate vs. Phoenix (they play tonight.) Seeing as how it is training camp time, the skate was uncharacteristically long for game day; it was almost 1 hour long. Not much tactical stuff, more skill work today. Flames play 4 games in 5 or 6 nights and still have over 30 players in camp. They only skated the 20 guys playing tonight.
While there were some 'new to me' DRILLS, there were no GAMES or competitive drills. Since I embrace the ABC Philosophy, and the teachings of Horst Wein, I find 'normal' practice drills short-circuit my mind... and make me a 'dumber, patterned' coach! Although I understand that the accepted hockey culture is very ingrained, especially at the pro level, it never ceases to amaze me that the pros still feel that these sort of practices (no scoreboard; no accountability so far as winners or losers; little or no pressure; no randomness - mainly patterns) prepare them for the pressure-filled, unpredictable chaos that is an actual game!
Even though Dave King was there (Phoenix A/C) - he is an old friend and his son married into the family, I had to leave... I didn't want to 'de-train' my mind any more... I would rather eat lunch at Spolumbo's and visit a used bookstore (where I found a used copy of Tom's Book 1 for sale!)
The more I see the pros, the more I love coaching kids!!!!!
Last night Gaston worked with my team on backward skating trying to correct the old way of C cuts (which work against you) and a smooth transition turn that works much better than the Mohawk most of us taught.
The players really worked at it and I could see a big improvement. Bkwd skating may the the weakest part of player development.
'Enjoy the Game'