[Product Review] SummerSkates

Hi everyone, I’m excited to be back with another product review for you! This time around — SummerSkates. I love their hockey inspired style about as much as I love their long term comfort (both measures are in high volume).

The Basics:

The first big win for these sandals is that they are customizable — you could go with the original classic hockey skate lace look and just pick your lace and tracer colors, or you could take it up a level and add a custom logo, your personal number, or even the name and number of your favorite NHL player, to the lace front bridge.

Available sizes range from XS-XXL (Men’s size 3-14.5; Women’s size 4.5-15.5), so there’s a strong chance you’ll find a pair that fits your feet.

The Business:

After 3 months of indoor and outdoor field testing on hikes, at home, and all over really, I love these sandals. Comfort is a huge deal for me, and the form fitting cushion footbed does the trick for my feet. Not only has it molded to the shape of my footprint, it has only compressed 1/4″ over this time — I find this impressive as my adult male frame has a tendency to wear the soles of other brands of sandals/flip-flops down to an uncomfortably short distance to the concrete, whereas I feel no such threat in my SummerSkates.

The tread on the soles of these sandals is no joke either, and a huge contributor to not only their durability, but also their ability to be worn anywhere.

The Bonus:

A huge bonus for these sandals is that they are washable and can be thrown in the washing machine after battle (but air dry them).

It’s also great to see this Canadian company provide a portion of their net sales to Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, which supports cancer research at Princess Margaret Cancer Hospital in Toronto. They also offer an in-house fundraising platform for teams who are looking to help offset the costs of their season!

The Bump:

Find SummerSkates all over social media and the internet — while you’re there I highly recommend you pick up a pair of your own!

Website: SummerSkates.ca

Twitter: @SummerSkates

Instagram: @SummerSkates

Facebook: SummerSkates

They’ve got koozies too!

[product review] No Sweat helmet and hat liners

Follow @NoSweatCoFollow @davecunningFollow @CunningAthletixFollow @xppsp

Hi folks!

I recently had the opportunity to test-drive another product applicable to the hockey world — this time, No Sweat helmet liners. This was of particular interest to me, as I sweat a ton while playing hockey, and as a result, am constantly wiping my forehead, eyes, and visor after every shift change. Visors are particularly vulnerable to sweat stains, and need to be washed out before and during each game to see properly — a crap shoot that may people play, swearing by visor sprays, furniture polish, and all sorts of old wives tales to keep their visors translucent.

I tried a No Sweat liner in my helmet for not just one, but three games to be sure, and I can confidently say that, without a word of exaggeration, I did not have to wipe my forehead, eyes, or visor even once! No more pre-game visor cleans either, thanks to No Sweat. This product is truly amazing. A true “game changer” in my opinion — hockey is an incredibly quick game, and you just can’t afford to be distracted or bothered by sweat in your face, because the puck will head the wrong direction quickly if you have to take your eyes off of it even momentarily. This product changes that in-game concern, allowing you to dispel one distraction and better focus on the game.

No Sweat makes liners for hats too — no one likes seeing their favorite hat lost to sweat stains, and this product is sure to cure that trauma as well. I wholeheartedly suggest you head over to their website and pick-up a 3, 12, or 25 pack of these for your helmet or hat today. Follow their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media accounts too!

-SDC

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Official Product Press Release:

NoSweat is Changing the Way the World Sweats One Hat or Helmet at a Time

Disposable headwear liners soak up sweat to prevent stains, odors and burning eyes

Playing sports, working hard on the job or just walking around town can lead to breaking out in a sweat that interferes with your activities. Getting sweat in your eyes or having it roll down your face can throw off your whole game, ruin your makeup, and is just generally annoying. NoSweat has created the first disposable performance liners for hats, helmets, hard hats and visors that absorb sweat instantly while preventing odors, stains and even acne.

NoSweat thin liners simply peel and stick to the inside of headwear and feature SweatLock technology engineered to instantly absorb sweat. Moisture is locked inside the line to help prevent dripping sweat, fogging, sweat stains, acne and odor. Each NoSweat liner absorbs around 2 ounces of sweat.

The liners are performance, safety and hygiene based allowing users to perform at their best, without distractions that are associated with sweating. Depending on the person and activities being performed, each liner can last anywhere from one round of golf to two weeks of standard hat usage. The liners also preserve hats and keep the inside looking as fresh as the day it was bought.

NoSweat is a 100% American Made company. NoSweat liners are backed by some of the biggest names in sports including TJ Oshie, Golden Tate, Dallas Keuchel, Brandon McManus, Stewart Cink, Scott Langley, Matt Adams and Kerry Feirman. The company is also an Official Licensed Partner of the PGA TOUR.

NoSweat liners are available for hats, helmets, hardhats and visors and start at $4.99 for a pack of three and $37.99 for a pack of 25. For more information and to purchase liners visit www.nosweatco.com.

Product Specifications:

Works in traditional hockey helmets, football helmets, and many other types.

• Instantly Absorbs/Wicks Sweat: Keeps sweat out of your eyes, safety glasses, safety goggles or protective safety eyewear.
• Reduces FOGGING: In glasses, half shields and eyewear.
• Sweat Stain Prevention: Helps prevent NASTY Sweat Stains on your headwear. Hat Saver!
• No Scent Technology: Reduces Odor
• Patented Universal Design: Sticks inside the front and/or back of any LID
• Comfortable: Thin, soft, and lightweight.
• Hypoallergenic

OUR GUARANTEE

We truly believe we make some of the most innovative products in the world, and we want to make sure we back that up. If you don’t have a positive experience for ANY reason, we will do WHATEVER it takes to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase. Buying items online can be a daunting task, so want you to know what we stand behind our products 100% and that there is ZERO risk to you trying NoSweat.

We have 24/7/365 email support for all orders. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team whenever you have an issue.

About NoSweat

NoSweat is a lifestyle brand and manufacturer of products that are 100% USA made and built to increase performance, safety and hygiene for anyone who sweats and wears some type of hat, helmet, visor or hard-hat. NoSweat’s goal is to provide innovative products that improve how people work, play and live. Founded in 2008 by Justin Johnson and based out of Minneapolis, NoSweat offers a growing, patented line of sweat-absorbing solutions that are unique to the sports, construction, industrial, food prep, military, and municipal spaces. Learn more about NoSweat at: https://nosweatco.com/

[product review] Pong iPhone Cases

360° view of Pong’s “Sleek” edition for iPhone 6

Hi folks!

I’m pleased to bring you another product review — this time, a second offering from the fine folks at Pong, experts in cell phone radiation reduction/fried brain mitigation. [read my review of their iPhone 4/4S case from 2011 here]

Before covering my iPhone 6 with the Pong Sleek Case, I had a major issue of constantly dropping my phone. Not only does the Pong case’s materials provide me a considerably better grip than without, the case has been drop tested and certified up to US military specs for drops up to 6.6 feet high. I drop my phone far less now, and when I do, I stress a lot less about it because I know my drastically overpriced phone is adequately protected. The case fits rather snugly on the phone, so be prepared not to remove it too often. If you do find yourself needing to and struggling to remove the case, simply refer to this video from Pong’s YouTube channel for a procedural walkthrough.

360° view of Pong’s “Rugged” edition for iPhone 6

Additionally, from their research backed claims, I know that this case is deflecting more than half of the radiation that was otherwise headed towards by brain with every call elsewhere, thanks to its gold-plated antenna (verified by an independent, third-party study — see below for the link, or watch this video link). I try not to think about how much I was letting through prior to suiting my phone up with this case.

Furthermore, Pong makes an aesthetically pleasing, subtle and understated, yet unique looking case. The “Sleek” comes with easy access to the volume, ringer, and power buttons on either side, speaker and jacks on the bottom, and top panel. Great for someone wanting to minimize the aesthetic interference a case usually veils a phone with, while providing great safety and durability at the same time.

The “Rugged” on the other hand, covers the volume and power buttons, gives marginal access to the ringer switch, closes the top panel, but keeps good access to the bottom speaker and jacks. A little bulkier, but it’s obviously built to endure high levels of abuse. If you’re hard on phones, this is the edition for you.

Personally, I enjoy and appreciate this phone case on a number of levels, and I’d bet you would too. Order one for yourself today!

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More tech and specs from the manufacturer:

Pong Technology Reduces Your Exposure to Mobile Phone Radiation.

Total Radiated Power is a measure of the radiation your mobile devices are emitting. TRP isn’t bad. In fact, it’s what gives you a strong mobile connection. Pong’s patented antenna is unique in that it doesn’t decrease the TRP of your mobile device. It maintains your signal and redirects that radiation away from your head and body. That’s good for your phone and even better for you.

How Pong Technology Works:

Pong cases are embedded with a patented, micro thin, gold-plated antenna, that reduces exposure to potentially harmful cell phone radiation while maintaining the phone’s signal — it may even boost your signal by up to 25%. The Pong antenna couples with the antenna in your phone and redirects radiation away from you. Results from tests in FCC-certified labs show the Pong Sleek Case for iPhone 6/6s lowers your radiation exposure by up to 67% below a bare phone (or up to 89% below the FCC SAR limit). What’s more, it was verified in an extensive, independent test by WIRED MAGAZINE.

What Parents Should Know About Radiation:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states, “In theory, children have the potential to be at greater risk than adults for developing brain cancer from cell phones.” According to the NCI, this is due to the still-developing nervous systems and smaller heads of children. Pong cases give you an easy way to proactively protect your children from exposure to radiation.

4′ – 6.6′ Drop Protection

Beyond protecting from radiation, Pong cases provide protection from 4′ to 6.6′ drops, and are drop-tested to U.S. military specifications.

Available for:

iPhone 6/6S, 4/4s (iPhone 7 version coming soon!), iPad 1,2,3,4, Samsung Galaxy S4 & s5. “Sleek” and “Rugged” versions both available for most devices.

Connect with Pong:

On Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and their website.

[product review] “Clap Balm” Hockey Hand Deodorizer

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Hi folks!

For my latest product review, I was sent a fantastic product called “Clap Balm”, a hockey hand deodorizer. For many of us hockey players, the smell our gear (and thusly us) emits after using it may not faze us, but when you ask our loved ones, you’re likely to hear an entirely different story. My grandmother literally would not even go through the door of my college dressing room when I tried to give her a tour of our room. My wife has personally let me know of her particular disapproval of the smell of hands after games on more than one occasion. For that reason, I thought she would be the perfect control to field test this product with me. Have a watch of the results for yourself:

So there you have it. Clap Balm is a proven winner. In addition to my wife, Clap Balm has drawn support from Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks, Dylan DeMelo of the San Jose Sharks, and numerous teams and players across college and junior hockey.

The 60g tins are lightweight and are easily stored and transported in your hockey bag. The product should be applied after games, practices, pond hockey, or anytime you’ve come within a 20m radius of your hockey bag. Product ingredients include Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Arrowroot Powder, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Bicarbonate, Beeswax, Orange EO, and Vitamin E.

Clap Balm is available in stores from coast to coast and ships tins all over North America daily. It is sold in single tins for $9.99, 3 packs for $29.97, or 24 packs for $192.00 from their online store. The product has been featured in The Hockey News’ “People of Power” issue, and even praised in the Canadian House of Commons.

The product’s official press release is below:

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Media Release

Fanshawe and Western students find solution to common hockey problem

Matt Laberge and Dan Black develop hockey hand deodorant called Clap Balm

(London, Ontario)—Fanshawe business student Matt Laberge and Western student Dan Black have found the solution to a common hockey problem.

The duo have developed Clap Balm, an all-natural hand cream aimed at eliminating the smell of sweat left on hands from hockey gloves.

Laberge and Black launched Clap Balm—a play on the hockey slapshot term clap bomb—just over a year ago and quickly sold 400 tins within seven days.

Today, the product is professionally manufactured and is now being sold at sporting stores in Barrie, Toronto and London.

The clap balm has also won over a few professional hockey players. Dylan DeMelo of the San Jose Sharks, Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks and Derek Mathers of the American Hockey League are fans of the product and use it regularly.

On October 26, Clap Balm received the Young Business Leadership award and met David Chilton, best-selling author of The Wealthy Barber and former dragon on CBC’s Dragon’s Den.

The Clap Balm can be purchased for about $10 at local London retailers such as Pete’s Sports, Perani’s and Source for Sports. It can also be purchased online at www.clapbalm.com.

Clap Balm elsewhere on the web: Facebook – Website – Instagram – News

Follow @davecunningFollow @CunningAthletixFollow @xppsp

[book review] The Hockey Drill Book

 

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Hi folks! I’m pleased to bring you another book review your way from the hockey world. This time, “The Hockey Drill Book”, by Dave Chambers. Boasting 500 drills to better the skills of every player on the ice, this book is a fantastic resource that would be advantageous to anyone coaching hockey at any level to possess. Every coach (and player) has a number of drills memorized that they’ll often repeat over and over at practices — dipping into Chambers “Drill Book” is a sure-fire way to expand a coach’s drill repertoire. 

“The Hockey Drill Book” gives coaches an astounding 500 drills to better develop and serve their team practices or single player sessions with. The book features 18 chapters worth of situation specific drills — everything from warm-ups, to odd and even man scenarios, breakouts, offense, defense, position focus, special teams, conditioning, skill evaluation, and even some fun drills and games (coaches of young kids should dog’s ear this section). Further, each drill presented features an illustrated diagram and easily understandable step-by-step instructions as to how the drill is to be carried out.

Each chapter is also prefaced with an introduction to the focus of each section, which provides helpful insight to the reader as to what the desired learning and development outcomes for each drill are. 

Additionally, the book is introduced with a Forward from Tom Renney, President and CEO of Hockey Canada. If Chambers and his book are good enough for the boss of the world’s #1 hockey nation, chances are this book will work for you too. 

A suggestion I would offer is that if there were to be a third edition of this book, is to include a DVD or something similar of the drills being carried out on the ice as a companion to the book for coaches and players who may learn better by seeing.

Whatever your reason for seeking a compendium of hockey drills, “The Hockey Drill Book” will undoubtedly prove to be an invaluable resource to you, no matter what point of your season or career you are picking it up in. I highly recommend this book to any hockey coach — veteran or new — looking for some fresh takes on skill development for his or her team. 

Enjoy!

–SDC

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

The best-selling hockey drill book returns, bigger and better than ever! Featuring 500 drills focusing on skill development, the second edition of The Hockey Drill Book is the most comprehensive resource for every hockey coach and player!

Whether you’re new to the game and seeking to develop and improve on the game’s most basic skills, or you’re a seasoned vet looking to take your game to new heights, The Hockey Drill Book is the ultimate collection of the top drills that you must add to your locker!

Author Dave Chambers has coached hockey for four decades at all levels, and in virtually every corner of the globe where the sport is played (the Russian Ice Hockey Federation translated and distributed the book to its coaches). This updated second edition of The Hockey Drill Book reflects the best 500 drills from hockey coaches worldwide, highlighted by 54 all-new drills. Accompanied by illustrations and diagrams, the drills focus on evaluating, developing, and improving players’ skills and technique at all positions and cover shooting, passing, goaltending, and skating. Additional drills improve players’ physical conditioning and in-game strategy and decision making for situations such as power plays, penalty kills, face-offs, and breakouts.

About the Author: 

Dave Chambers has coached hockey for more than 40 years from key developmental levels to the National Hockey League and international competition. His experience with all types of players and styles makes him well suited for teaching the ever-evolving game that is a blend of the European and North American styles. Chambers has won two gold medals in World Championships, five university championships, and five Coach of the Year awards. He was named Master Coach by the Canadian Hockey Association and was inducted into the York University (Toronto, Canada) Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the University of British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Chambers was an assistant coach with NHL’s Minnesota North Stars and head coach of the Quebec Nordiques. He coached the Canadian national junior team to the gold medal at the World Junior Championship in Moscow in 1988, the Canadian team to the championship in the International Spengler Cup Tournament in Switzerland in 1987, and the Canadian student national team to the silver medal at the World Student Games in 1985.

His university coaching career spanned 14 seasons while he earned a record of 334-110. Chambers coached at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Guelph before holding the head coaching position at Ohio State University, where he won the CCHA Championship. He then coached at York University in Toronto, where his teams won three division championships, three Ontario championships, and a Canadian National Championship.

Chambers holds a PhD in sport science and was director of the coaching program at York University in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Chambers has written books and articles on coaching ice hockey and has made numerous presentations worldwide. He lives in Collingwood, Ontario.

What Others Are Saying: 

“For more than 40 years Dave Chambers has been sharing his exceptional knowledge and wisdom as a coach, teacher, and specialist within the world of hockey. His brilliant forward-thinking instruction guides are long lasting yet new to coaches everywhere. He is a world-renowned student and teacher of the game and a man I admire and greatly respect. His information is useful to coaches everywhere.”

Lou Vairo — Director of Special Projects, USA Hockey

“The Hockey Drill Book demonstrates Dave Chambers’ intimate knowledge of the game. He has the ability to simplify every skill set. This collection of drills is an absolute must for individual player and team development.”

Ken Hitchcock — Head Coach, St. Louis Blues

Sample chapters of the book: 

1. A typical practice
2. Neutral zone puck exchange
3. Protect the puck and shoot for the goalie
4. Power play breakouts and double double with a drop

“The Hockey Drill Book” is available for purchase in paperback, Kindle, and e-book versions from the Human Kinetics bookstore and Amazon. You can also search for ISBN-10: 149252901X or ISBN-13: 9781492529019 through your favorite bookstore.

Follow @davecunningFollow @Human_KineticsFollow @CunningAthletix

 

[book review] Total Hockey Training

Follow @davecunningFollow @SeanSkahanFollow @Human_KineticsFollow @CunningAthletix

Hi folks! I’m pleased to bring you another book review from the hockey world your way. This time, “Total Hockey Training”, by Sean Skahan. Whether you are a certified trainer working with hockey player clients, or perhaps you’re a player yourself looking to take control of your own off-ice regimen, Skahan’s “Total Hockey Training” is a resource that you’d do well to add to your library. 

Skahan does a marvelous job of presenting extremely thorough programming for every caveat imaginable for a hockey player — pre-season, in-season, and off-season periodizations are all covered, and further broken down into deeper specifics for minor hockey, junior, college, and pro level players. Further still, forwards, defensemen, goaltenders, and even injured/healthy scratch/red shirt players have sections that speak to them. 

As Skahan delves into the training programming itself, every facet is hit — pre-training (warm-up), core, strength and power, acceleration and speed, flexibility, and conditioning, and even a few on-ice drills. Each chapter includes visual aids for each for each step of each exercise suggested, and the closing chapters include comprehensive tables for a 12 week program, with day-by-day and week-by-week instructions as to the exercises to perform and their frequency, intensity, time, and type. There are also backtracks to the page numbers of the exercise instructions and descriptions in the book for reference. 

Whatever your reason for seeking a book on hockey training, “Total Hockey Training” will be an invaluable resource to you, no matter what point of your season or career you are picking it up in. I highly recommend this book to any player or trainer. 

-SDC

***WANNA WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK? READ THROUGH THE REVIEW BELOW, AND FIND OUT HOW!***

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Achieve the best physical condition year-round with Total Hockey Training and be ready to dominate on the ice.

In Total Hockey Training, Sean Skahan, strength and conditioning coach for men’s hockey at Boston University, brings you the exercises and drills that have been used in conditioning some of the greatest players in the world. Whether you’re just entering the off-season or chasing playoff contention, this resource has you covered with season-specific programming that will help you take your game to new heights. With ready-to-use programs for all player positions and various levels of play, you have everything you’ll need to train year-round. As you progress, you’ll have access to personal assessment programs that will help you determine your strengths and weaknesses so that you can modify programs to fit your individual needs.

Physical conditioning for hockey is a year-round requirement if you want to outperform your competition. With Total Hockey Training, you have the tools you need to elevate your game and perform at your peak.

About the author:

Sean Skahan was named the head strength and conditioning coach for men’s ice hockey at Boston University in 2015. Prior to taking the position, Skahan was the strength and conditioning coach for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Anaheim Ducks for 13 seasons, where he was responsible for the overall strength and conditioning program for all players in the Ducks’ system.

Before working with the Ducks, Skahan was the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Boston College and at the University of North Dakota. While earning his master’s degree in kinesiology, Skahan worked as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Minnesota. He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

 

What others are saying about Skahan: 

“Sean Skahan is one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the hockey world. His wealth of experience at the collegiate and professional levels will help all players achieve their goals.”

Michael Boyle
Founder, Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning
Former Strength and Conditioning Coach, Boston University and Boston Bruins

“I was very fortunate to work with Sean while I played with the Ducks. He helped me to perform at my best and stay healthy. Sean has a great understanding of what it takes physically to compete in the NHL.”

Scott Niedermayer
Former NHL Defenseman
Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils

“In Total Hockey Training, Sean Skahan draws from his extensive experience as a strength and conditioning coach at both the collegiate and professional levels to provide coaches and players with proven year-round physical training regimens that enhance on-ice performance and reduce injuries.”

Bruce Boudreau– Head Coach, Anaheim Ducks

 

Want a free sample before you buy? Preview “Total Hockey Training” with these selected topical excerpts:

Chapter 1: Seasonal Scheduling and Logistics

Chapter 2: Testing, Evaluating, and Tracking Progress

Chapter 9: Conditioning

“Total Hockey Training” is available for purchase in Paperback, e-book, and Kindle versions from the Human Kinetics bookstore and Amazon. You can also search for ISBN-10: 1492507091 or ISBN-13: 9781492507093 through your favorite bookstore.

***TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF “Total Hockey Training”, DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. ANSWER THIS TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is the strength and conditioning coach for your favorite NHL team? (note trainer name and team)

2. TELL ME WHAT TEAM AND/OR PLAYER(S) YOU CURRENTLY TRAIN, OR ASPIRE TO TRAIN (I want to give this to a fellow trainer).

Good luck!***

Follow @davecunningFollow @SeanSkahanFollow @Human_KineticsFollow @CunningAthletix

[book review] The Hockey Coaching Bible

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Hi folks! If you’re looking for gift ideas for the hockey coach in your life, or are wanting to build your own coaching skill set up, look no further than “The Hockey Coaching Bible” next time you’re in your favorite bookstore or shopping online. 

Editor Joe Bertagna teams up with 15 other current and/or former coaches to bring readers 16 chapters that each approach a unique sector of hockey. Individual skills for forwards, defencemen, and goaltenders are all addressed, as well as practice plans and drills for team skills like defensive, offensive, and neutral zone play (the included diagrams that accompany the drill descriptions are particularly helpful and thorough), as well as penalty kill and power play. Beyond the technical points of the sport, the book goes in depth on scouting opponents (both domestic and international), building a team from scratch and harnessing the support of the community, ethics behind the bench, and more off-ice topics. Basically, it all but goes out on the ice and does all the coaching for you.  

The only minor drawback to this book in my opinion is that it is set with a heavy slant towards NCAA/American hockey that some readers may not feel they relate to. With that being said, the skills and concepts taught in this book undeniably apply to all levels of hockey, and are easily adaptable to fit any coach’s current entry point to the game. It also does a great job of including female hockey into its presented narrative. I don’t hesitate to recommend this book to any current or aspiring coach, or to any current player looking to gain some sapience that he can bring to his or her team. Also, calling itself the hockey “bible” might be a little sensationalized, but it is a truly great and expansive resource, and a definite and necessary upgrade from its predecessors like “The Hockey Handbook” from the 1950’s. 

“The Hockey Coaching Bible” is an extremely helpful resource for any aspiring or current hockey coach. The insights found within it made me have to fetch my highlighter so I could highlight many profound sections that I wanted to be able to recall later. I have already put some of the book’s acumen into practice during my own coaching sessions. To continue to be good conveyors of knowledge, coaches and teachers of any kind should never stop learning — hockey coaches who add this book to their repertoire will give themselves a boost in this department for years to come.

-SDC

***WANNA WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK? READ THROUGH THE REVIEW BELOW, AND FIND OUT HOW!***

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Featuring the insights, strategies, and experiences of the sport’s top coaches, The Hockey Coaching Bible sets a new standard for those who teach the game, develop the players, and dominate the ice. Whether head coach or assistant, at the youth level or professional, you will find a wealth of information to improve performance and strengthen your program.

You’ll go inside the game with 16 of hockey’s most respected teachers:

• Tom Anastos
• Joe Bertagna
• Mike Cavanaugh
• Bill Cleary
• Rick Comley
• Mark Dennehy
• Mike Eaves
• Guy Gadowsky
• George Gwozdecky
• Nate Leaman
• E.J. McGuire
• Marty Palma
• Jack Parker
• Mike Schafer
• Ben Smith
• Hal Tearse

Every facet of coaching is covered. The book features the most effective drills for developing players at each position and in-game strategies for various game situations, including offensive, defensive, and neutral-zone play and power plays and penalty kills.

In addition to on-ice Xs and Os, you’ll find sage advice for building a program from the ground up, furthering your professional development as a coach, and gaining community and parental support for projecting a positive image and earning the respect of your players and supporters.

Never has there been a more comprehensive coaching resource on the game. With The Hockey Coaching Bible, you’ll build your program into a powerhouse.

About the Author:

Joe Bertagna has been a collegiate hockey administrator for more than 30 years. Since 1997, he has served as commissioner of Hockey East, the preeminent conference in college hockey, whose member schools have earned seven NCAA championships under his leadership. Before his move to Hockey East, Bertagna served 15 years with the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), where he held the positions of tournament director, executive director, and commissioner. Both with ECAC and Hockey East, Bertagna has been a champion of women’s hockey, having initiated ECAC Division I and Division III league play and led the formation of the Women’s Hockey East Association, whose championship trophy is named in Bertagna’s honor.

In addition to his commissionership of Hockey East, Bertagna is executive director of the American Hockey Coaches Association, a position he has held since 1991. He also serves on the board of directors of both USA Hockey and the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation. For 40 years Bertagna has operated his own clinics for thousands of goalies of all ages.

 

Preview “The Hockey Coaching Bible” with these selected topical excerpts:

Respect for rules and officials: Tom Anastos — Michigan State Head Coach

Gap control: Jack Parker — Boston University

Practicing the power-play breakout: George Gwozdecky (Denver University) and Michael Zucker (Bench Metrics)

“The Hockey Coaching Bible” is available for purchase in Paperback, e-book, and Kindle versions from the Human Kinetics bookstore and Amazon. You can also search for ISBN-10: 0736062017 or ISBN-13: 978-0736062015 through your favorite bookstore.

Follow @davecunningFollow @Human_KineticsFollow @CunningAthletix

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***TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF “The Hockey Coaching Bible”, DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. ANSWER THIS TRIVIA QUESTION: Who won the 2015 Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coaching of the year?

2. TELL ME WHAT TEAM YOU CURRENTLY COACH, OR ASPIRE TO COACH (I want to give this to someone who needs it).

Good luck!***

 

Product Review: Don Cherry’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey 26!!

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If you’re an LA Kings fan like me, you’re probably having trouble finding silver linings to the Kings’ failure to make the 2014-15 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While there’s very few positives to mine from this atrocity, one thing that we can cling to is their Stanley Cup victory last year, immortalized on video, as part of Don Cherry’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey 26, on DVD and Blu-Ray. We can watch Alec Martinez shake his jazz hands after potting the Cup winning goal in double OT over, and over, and over. And over.

RS26 pairs an epic sounding soundtrack with the best plays the NHL had to offer in 2013-14. You’ll relive the season’s best goals, hits, saves, bloopers, and fights; plus you also get playoff highlights of all 4 rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs, minor hockey tips for parents and kids, highlights from CBC’s Coach’s Corner segment during Hockey Night in Canada, Don telling stories from hockey’s yesteryear, Don wearing flowery high-collared suits, Don dancing and lip syncing in Times Square with old guy glasses on, Don saying “bawango!”, Don saying “trolley tracks” and “look out!”, and everything else you hope Don Cherry would do for you in a 65 minute span.

You can watch Sportscentre highlights on repeat loop all you want, but this video series always shows even the most dedicated fan that there were so many more amazing plays that happened during the NHL season than they ever realized went down. Here’s a preview:

Don Cherry’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey 26 is a great addition to any hockey fan’s video library, and it makes a great gift too. Find it on DVD or Blu-Ray on Amazon, or at your local video retailer.

Below is the official press release:

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Video Services Corp., presents:

Don Cherry’s Rock’em Sock’em — In its 26^th Year!

 There have been a lot of changes in Canadian hockey broadcasting recently, but one beloved tradition continues with the release of Rock’em Sock’em Hockey 26 on DVD and Blu-ray.

The best goals, saves and hits from the 2013-2014 season, including what many considered to be the best playoffs in years, are combined with the best of Coach’s Corner to create the perfect gift for the hockey lover on your list.

Don Cherry’s Rock’em Sock’em Hockey was first released in 1989, quickly became a huge success in the marketplace and is now the bestselling sports video franchise in Canadian history. To date the franchise has sold over two million units and continues to be one of the highest selling sports videos during the holiday season.

For the third consecutive year Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey is being distributed by Video Services Corp (VSC).

“We’ve had an amazing experience working with Don and Tim Cherry to bring Rock’em Sock’em to Canadians,” declared VSC President Jonathan Gross. “We’re proud to be part of an institution!”

“We’re so happy to be working with old and new partners to keep the series going for a 26^th year,” said Executive Producer Tim Cherry, “so many Canadians have grown up with this every year, we don’t want to disappoint them!”

 

DVD DETAILS:

SRP: $19.98 | TRT: 65 min

UPC: 7-78854-21609-9| Catalog: CHE2160

BLU-RAY DETAILS:

SRP: $24.98 | TRT: 65 min

UPC: 7-78854-21619-8| Catalog: CHE2161

 

About Video Services Corp.

Founded in 1993 by former rock critic Jonathan Gross, Video Services Corp. (VSC) is a leading independent all-platform film distributor with offices in Toronto and Los Angeles. VSC’s DVD catalogue includes “Corner Gas,” Sharknado, “Comedy Now! Starring Russell Peters” and “Spectacle: Elvis Costello With….” Recent theatrical releases include Union Square, with Oscar® winner Mira Sorvino, Alan Partridge, starring Steve Coogan, and the Israeli horror sensation Big Bad Wolves. VSC has an eclectic 2014 slate that features Cannes Selection Life Itself, TIFF Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award Winner What We Do In The Shadows, Sundance Festival favourite White Bird In A Blizzard, and the horror film ABCs of Death 2. VSC is also restoring the historic 1984 Canada Cup o DVD in late 2014. For more information visit www.videoservicescorp.com, facebook.com/videoservicescorp or twitter.com/vidserv.

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Book Review: “Shoot To Thrill: The History of Hockey’s Shootout” by Mark Roseman & Howie Karpin

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There are not too many hockey fans without strong sentiments on the NHL shootout – one half lauds it as an exciting way to conclude a match-up, while the other half calls for it to die a quick and very painful death. At the moment, I personally am tempted to side with the latter, as my LA Kings’ abysmal 2-8 shootout record this season arguably cost them a playoff spot. But despite the disparity in mass opinion, both sides of the issue surely can agree that shootouts capture the full attention of fans when they happen, whether they’re at the rink or in front of a TV screen.

But why does the NHL use a shootout? And where did it come from? For fans seeking answers to those hockey showdown related questions and more, there is a great new book that goes above and beyond to not only satisfy your queries, but to provide you with further elucidation that you didn’t even know you needed. “Shoot To Thrill: The History of Hockey’s Shootout” by Mark Rosenman and Howie Karpin is sure to smarten you up when it comes to shootouts.

The authors tell of the shootout’s evolution from its introduction at the 1988 Winter Olympics, and details the differences between the Olympic version and the NHL’s incarnation. Furthermore, other sports appear to have influenced it as well. They contend it’s an offshoot from soccer, who adopted penalty kicks to determine game outcomes in the 1980’s (yes, even the world’s most popular sport had to evolve at one point). Roots even spread deeper to basketball, from a one-on-one competition that ABC aired on television in the early 1970’s, which NBC mimicked in return, airing a hockey version in the following years until the 1980’s. This “Showdown” as it was dubbed, was intermission entertainment, and draws striking similarities to modern day reality TV – eliminating competitors, and awarding prize money to the victors.

The shootout also seems to be the step-brother of the penalty shot, which was implemented in the 1920’s in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, and later adopted into the NHL in 1934. What began as a stationary shot, then morphed to a shot from a confined area, and all the way to the center ice breakaway version we see nowadays during both penalty shots and shootout attempts.

The book also provides Interesting statistics from memorable Olympic and NHL shootouts and penalty shots, detailing the shooters, the outcome of each attempt, and deeper trivia like who the first ever shootout shooters and scorers were, longest, players who have had two penalty shots in a game, two in a period, and who’s had a penalty shot goal disallowed because of an illegal curve.  You also get some insider intel from players and goalies on how they prepare for shootouts, and which goalies and shooters they themselves would pick. Nearly 100 opinions come out from former and current players, broadcasters and officials on whether they like the shootout or not. The book also includes a handy appendix of team shootout records, detailing each NHL team’s top three most successful shooters, and goaltender with the best shootout record.

Whether you’re a casual fan, hockey stats and history junkie, or somewhere in between, “Shoot To Thrill” is a real page turner that I’m sure you’ll enjoy and learn from.

You can find it online as a hardcover or e-book on Amazon, or at your local bookstore, with any luck.

Below is the official press release from Sports Publishing, and imprint of Skyhorse Publishing:

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Shoot to Thrill:

The History of Hockey’s Shootout

By Mark Rosenman and Howie Karpin

Some maintain that hockey’s shootout erases a sixty-five-minute emotional roller coaster between two teams and that it’s wrong for games to be decided based on a one-on-one battle between a shooter and a goalie.

Others argue that shootouts provide edge-of-your seat excitement as two supremely skilled players go head-to-head for all the marbles.

“The anecdotes and notes [in this book] will enlighten any hockey fan and will give you a perspective into how and why this rule was added from those who were and are still directly involved.”  – from the foreword by “Jiggs” McDonald

In 2005, the National Hockey League adopted the shootout to settle ties in regular season games. Some rule changes are instituted without anyone’s noticing. Others shake the game to its very foundations. Ten years after its introduction, the shootout remains one of the most significant and controversial rule changes in all of sports.

Shoot to Thrill blends history, stats, and personal perspectives from players, coaches, officials, and broadcasters. Mark Rosenman and Howie Karpin explore how players and coaches prepare forshootouts, what they think of them, and how shootouts have helped shape hockey history over the past decade.

Like the designated-hitter rule in baseball, hockey’s shootout has left no fan impartial to it.

Love the rule or hate it, no one stops watching when it’s time for a shootout!

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About the Authors

MARK ROSENMAN has been covering sports since 1979, as an on air talk show host on Cablevision, WGLI, and WGBB. He is currently the host and producer of WLIE 540 a.m. SportsTalkNY. He is credentialed with the NHL and covers both the Islanders and Rangers and is credentialed with MLB and covers the New York Mets. He lives in Commack, New York.

HOWIE KARPIN has been a sports reporter for more than thirty years and has covered everything from the World Series to the Stanley Cup Finals. He is an accredited official scorer for Major League Baseball in New York and is a contributor to Mad Dog Radio, MLB Radio, and NFL Radio. He lives in the Bronx, New York.

Sports Publishing hardcover, also available as an ebook

Pub Date: March 17, 2015

ISBN 978-1-61321-797-9

Price: $19.99

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*****Wanna win your own copy of “Shoot To Thrill”? Be the first to tell me in a comment who scored the most NHL shootout goals in the 2014-15 regular season, and I’ll send you your own hardcover version of the book!******

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Product Review: The Mission Belt

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It’s impressive when a company can re-invent a basic product, and actually have their new approach reach beyond the label of total gimmick. Take the belt and belt buckle for example – l mean, since forever (actually only since the Bronze Age, says Wikipedia), anyone who has ever had a need to keep their pants from falling down has accepted that a belt strap wraps around your waist, heads through a buckle, and then is affixed with a prong securing itself in a hole on the belt’s opposite end. The belt buckle strays a little from this method, but is still conceptually the same. So it is, so it was, so it always will be, right?

Enter The Mission Belt Company. Mission Belt has, without a doubt, changed the belt game. For the better. Not only do they make a better belt than what we’re all used to, they’re helping make the world a better place too. So beat that, conventional belt makers.

The major conceptual reinvention Mission Belt employs with their leather belts and buckles is a ratchet system, built into both the buckle and the leather strap. They’ve completely bypassed the standard holes and prong approach, instead giving you a completely different fastening experience. Conversely, Mission’s belt does away with the leather puncturing holes and replaces them with gear-like teeth on the underside of the strap. When this section hits the buckle after insertion, it’s met by the pawl on the backside of the connection point. The wearer simply slides the belt in as far as necessary, and the belt locks in place. When escape is necessary, freedom is only a release knob lift away. Readjustment requires only a push in on the strap – unlike the traditional belt that requires an entire unlatch and re-latch to get where you need to be. Don’t expect readjustment to be overly necessary though – unlike old style belts that can loosen over time through wear and tear, the Mission Belt stays locked in place all day unless you tell it otherwise.

Still need help with this new concept? Here’s a video walkthrough: 

Mission Belts are resizable too — here’s another video walkthrough on how to shorten the leather strap.

Further, you can (likely) get a buckle with your favorite team’s logo on it. 22 NHL teams are available, alongside squads from the NCAA and NBA. Each team has 2-4 pre-set leather color options, but if none of them strike your combo fancy, you can mix and match your buckle with one of the 17 leather colors the company offers. And if sports belts aren’t your thing, they have a whole line of other fashionable belts to peruse instead. A standard belt/leather combo set runs $54.95, but alternatively you can pick your own buckle for $34.95, and then pay $20 for leather of your choice, to get the combination you desire or to switch up another setup you already have in play. Sizes fit small to large, accommodating 32” to 42” waists within those standard sizes, or you can customize a belt to fit up to a 56” waist.

Beyond all that, “Mission” is not only the company’s name, it’s also part of their business plan. For every Mission Belt sold, $1 is donated to Kiva, a non-profit peer-to-peer “micro-lending” organization that helps provide opportunities to support economic development and entrepreneurship around the globe. To learn more about how Mission Belt’s team up with Kiva helps fight global hunger and poverty through micro-lending, read Mission’s statement on their practices here, visit Kiva’s website www.kiva.org, and visit Mission Belt’s Kiva lender profile here.

Additionally, find Mission on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and their website missionbelt.com.

Look good with Mission Belts, and feel good about looking so good too!

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=========CONTEST=========

Wanna win your own Mission Belt? I am giving away a size medium (up to 35″ waist) LA Kings buckle with “Cool Grey” strap to the first commenter who can correctly answer the following question:

Wayne Gretzky finished his NHL career with 2,857 regular season points and 382 playoff points. What is the combined total of regular season AND playoff points he scored for the LA Kings?

The first person to leave the correct total in a comment will win! Good luck!