No Words

The moments that only come as rare occasions. These aren't holidays that you have been waiting for. They are of grueling significance, moments that are made through unity between every individual involved, and who have gone through the ups and down from hell and back.

If you haven't seen this video, take a quick look. If you have been there in the past I'm sure you can relate.

With YOUR season now approaching don't let more days pass. Get in gear and start to make YOUR future moments.

For your interest, all GDI Prairies programs can be found here.

No Words

Stanley Cup Playoff Report: Unbeatable...Undeniable!

Game 2 of the Boston vs. Philidelpia series having the games announcers close to loosing their voice due to the array of breakaway stops and goal line pad saves. Playoff hockey is the time where goaltenders prove their wealth by making those "winning" stops, the ones that hold the momentum and life for their team.



Tuesday night features Dwayne Roloson looking to steal another game for the Lightning to take a 3 games to none series lead, along with Vezina nominees Luongo and Rinne dueling between the pipes to challenge each other for taking a lead in the series.

Quick Tip: Use each game! After being on the ice for a 1v1 session, review how your game compares to the goaltenders in the NHL. Critique a goaltenders game while watching. What do you love about their game. What would you fix? A high percentage of athletes are visual learners, along with being kinestheticly engaged, and are able to connect aspects that they have viewed and incorporate that into their learning.

Watch some of Pekka Rinne's amazing saves from this weekends past Predator's Game 2 overtime win over the Canucks.

Stanley Cup Playoff Report: Unbeatable...Undeniable!

History Takes Every Last Second

When the game is on the line. When every last ounce of sweat is dropping from your forehead. Your socks, gloves, chest protector, and pads are soaked from the past 59 minutes and 53.5 seconds. To you, the crowd that packs the endless stands is mute. Your mind focuses on setting up for the final face-off and readying in your stance.

Your pursuit to glory comes down to the last 6.5 seconds.

2009 Stanley Cup Champion, Marc Andre Fleury spent his two Team Canada World Junior experiences teamed up with GDI Founder Ian Clark. Clark was Team Canada's Goaltending Consultant for four years garnering two gold medals and two silver medals during this stretch.

History Takes Every Last Second

History Finds Us A Hero

With this years NHL playoffs right around the corner the NHL has started up their “History Will be Made” campaign.

Last season’s History Will Be Made campaign was one of the most successful campaigns in NHL history, driving more than 302 million TV viewers for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the most watched in 36 years. The campaign also received three Sports Media Marketing Awards, including top prizes for Best Television Promotion and Best Live Sporting Event Spot.

Starting April 14 through the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, a new spot will be produced each day, highlighting a key moment from the previous night’s games.

For all those hockey fans that relive those memories when they see them, ponder their past success stories, and get goosebumps from the thrill, here's to another exciting NHL playoffs!

Cam Ward has a connection with GDI that goes back to his teenage years. Ward spent five years training at GDI's Pro Consulting camp before breaking into the NHL and going on to be the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and Stanley Cup Champion in his rookie season.

History Finds Us A Hero

Keeping the Fun Between the Pipes

P.K. Subban's overtime winner leads to a big celebration with teammate Carey Price.

After watching this video, this leads into the discussion about what type of actions are accepted in hockey. Better yet, how should players represent themselves on and off the ice?

Picture back to when Theo Fleury celebrated his game winning goal in game 6 overtime in the 1991 playoffs. Taking things to the extreme, this is a player that leaves it all out on the ice. Similar to Subban's overtime winner, this emotion and excitement left on the ice illustrates what the game of hockey is all about. Different from other sports where game scores can reach double digits for teams, "our game" has teams and fans on the edge of their seats waiting for their team to take the lead, tie the game up, or in this case with Montreal to score the game winner.

Many hockey "experts" will proclaim that hockey should be represented as a game of class, and for players to want more and show less on the ice. At the same time, there are many players in the dressing room that do just this. When this happens the game starts to become "less fun" and more stressful.

At times throughout the year there are many distractions that can cause pressure, along with situations around the game that can create stressors. It is important to find ways around this, and to find ways that can maintain the "fun" and enjoyable aspects of the sport.

When relating to goaltenders, here are a couple keys:

1. When times are tough, remember WHY you love the game.
   
   
2. When training and putting in all the time on and off the ice, remember WHAT you are doing it for.
   
   
3. In practice, rather than thinking to stop every puck, have objectives set aside for improvement and daily goals for what you would like to maintain. Ex) Controlling all low shots to corners for the whole hour to improve on ice rebound control.
   
   
4. Show emotion. There are various times in the game when teams do need that spark from their goaltender to help ignite a flame and instill motivation. At times, that big save and flash of the leather does help. Other instances, in the dressing room those words of disgust or encouragement also go a long way to giving your team a boost.
   
   
5. Keep practices entertaining. When playing small area games against teammates try throwing in a pad stack or a diving poke check. Do something you wouldn't normally do to get outside of your technical mindset. Technique can always be instilled, but your competitive side is more instinctive. Build your instincts by competing!
   
   
6. Keep things simple. Beyond all the tactics and technique that goes into the position, your job goes down to stopping the puck. Heading into a big game don't over complicate things and think about more than you need to. Control what you can control within the game.
   
   
7. Organize your time. People work 8 hours for 5 days a week. The other 128 hours are open for ones own leisure. An athlete has no reason to be at the rink or on the ice day in and day out for hours on end. Allow yourself to have time with family and friends, school, and time to relax.
   

Ultimately, the game of hockey is about fun! Ask anyone involved in the sport and that will be one of the main reasons why they started playing. Next time your on the ice and you make that big save don't be afraid to show some excitement. Competing on the ice, playing the sport you love, is all about the rush and the celebration.

Keeping the Fun Between the Pipes