Youth Hockey

Youth Hockey Power Skating Classes & Lessons

May 20, 2013 by murphhockey

All hockey players should begin taking power skating classes early! I was so lucky when I first started, there were some really good power skating coaches to work with. I can remember being a Mite and finishing practice, then jumping into the power skating class that was about to begin. It was a class for Mite through Junior players. I believe that skating with higher level players so early, has made me a better skater today! Even as a Bantam player, I continue to work on my skating!

Over the years, I’ve attend many power skating classes and clinics. I have also worked privately with Holly Harrington, Brock Ballard, Mike Hensdell and the Phoenix Coyotes Power Skating Coach Mark Ciaccio. Currently, I am working with Todd Collins and Boris Dorozhenko at Arcadia Ice, they are coaching a High Performance Power Skating and Dynamic Skills & Drills class a few times a week. Skating is the most important part of hockey, so start working on it immediately and then continue working on it!

Hockey Off Season Training Preparing for Try Outs #JrCoyotes #Hockey

March 28, 2013 by murphhockey

I will spend the off season from hockey, getting in shape and preparing for try outs in May and my summer in Boston at an elite hockey clinic. I have been working with a trainer twice a week, for over a year now. The exercises we do; are geared toward hockey, and work all muscle groups. Every session is something new, it’s fast paced and hard work. I have accomplished so much this year while training at Chandler MMA, I feel stronger and more confident. I am so thankful to have a trainer that has worked with Junior A hockey players, and helped them be successful.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. -Kevin Durant

Filed Under: Training Tagged With: Arizona hockey trainers, hockey, hockey exercises, hockey training, Jr Coyotes, off ice hockey training, Youth Hockey, youth hockey off ice training

BASE SuperNatural Hockey Stick Video Analysis #BASEHockey

March 7, 2013 by murphhockey

A few weeks ago; I had the opportunity to have a video analysis of my slap, snap & wrist shots and work with former NHL player Cliff Ronning. It was an hour session, where Cliff watched me take my shot and then gave me some pointers to improve it. The BASE staff took video of my shot and played it back against some former NHL players, so that I could see how my shot compared to their’s, as far as technique goes. It was the neatest thing I have ever done! I learned so much in that one session about proper technique. Cliff is an amazing teacher and I look forward to working with him to perfect my shots.

Filed Under: Training Tagged With: BASE hockey, Cliff Ronning, Dan Francis, Hockey Stick, NHL, SuperNatural hockey stick, Youth Hockey

How Do You Clean Your Hockey Gear?

February 14, 2013 by murphhockey

Let’s face it, hockey gear smells if not cared for properly! There are so many professional cleaning companies that now offer to clean your hockey gear or sticks, for a fee. I’ve known players that throw their gear in the swimming pool or tub to clean it when it smells. I wash my gear in the washing machine. After every practice; I empty my bag completely and spray my gear with Febreeze Antimicrobial, then I hang it up to dry. I spray the inside of my bag too and let it air out. My wet hockey clothes get washed every night after practice, this way I start each practice with a clean smelling jersey, socks, neck guard & under garments.

Every few weeks and definitely after every hockey tournament; I take all of my gear to the washing machine for a deep clean. I load the machine with the leg pads, arm pads, chest protector, gloves & breezers (hockey pants), I use a non-scented mild soap and start the machine. It helps if you strap down all the velcro on your pads, or they will become a big attached bundle. I wash my vinyl hockey bag separately, the washing machine works for both cloth & vinyl bags. When they are finished, I take them back to the rack to dry. We live in Arizona, so my gear dries fast in the garage. Make sure you plan ahead, so your gear has time to dry completely. I have also put my gear in the dryer, it did not damage the machine or hockey gear at all. Also make sure you wipe down the inside & outside of your helmet & cage with a mild soap & water and don’t forget to wipe down your hockey sticks too.

Hockey Drying Rack

A hockey player should get in the habit of emptying their entire hockey bag every night, spray down the gear and wash the wet hockey clothes. It only takes a few minutes to do and then you won’t have to worry about a bateria & odor on your gear, which can cause disease & illness that spreads from player to player! The older you get and the bigger the gear, you may have to do a few loads to wash it all. Set up a drying rack in your garage or basement to hold your gear. In the long run, caring for you gear after each use will keep the dangerous bacteria off the gear and you on the ice doing what you love.

Filed Under: Equipment & Gear Tagged With: cleaning hockey gear, Febreeze for hockey gear, hockey, hockey gear, hockey gear smells, home built hockey gear dryer, Jr Coyotes, washing hockey clothes, washing hockey gloves, Youth Hockey

Hill Hockey Visits Arizona to Celebrate the New Year! #HillHockeyClinic

January 14, 2013 by murphhockey

It was great to start the New Year with some hockey training. Eddie Hill and the Hill Hockey staff, came to Polar Ice Chandler in early January, for a 3 day stick handling & shooting clinic.

The New Year’s Clinic was sold out. There were a lot of returning players, and a few new ones. The gang got together for dinner at Sidelines Grill, on the first night of the clinic to get to know one another.

My friend Josh came in from Texas to attend the clinic. Josh is currently playing for the Texas Brahmas PeeWee team. His family made the 16 hour drive to Arizona, because Josh has worked with Eddie in Boston prior to their move. We had a great time running drills together.

Hill Hockey will return to Polar Ice Chandler again this Summer, June 3rd – 6th. Sign up early, space is limited to only 40 skaters. Here is the HHC brochure for details. Look forward to seeing you there!

Murph & Josh with HHC Staff

Filed Under: Training Tagged With: arizona hockey, Arizona hockey clinics, Eddie Hill, Hill Hockey, Hill Hockey Clinic, hockey clinics, Kelly Olson, Polar Ice Chancler, Texas Brahmas, Youth Hockey

Bauer Own the Moment Commercial #Bauer #ownthemoment

January 5, 2013 by murphhockey

So excited to have one of my videos used in the new Bauer Own the Moment commercial. A moment my teammates and I will never forget!

Filed Under: Video Posts Tagged With: bauer, hockey, Hockey Commercial, Own the Moment, Youth Hockey