JOIN OUR ACADEMY, EXCELLENCE AWAITS
Excellence, both on and off of the ice, is what you can expect with the EXCEL Hockey Academy – a new, cutting-edge concept affording the opportunity for middle-school players to receive elite level training at a world-class facility.
Led by the same team of professionals that provides skill development and performance training for professional athletes across North America, your son or daughter will have the ability to “Train Like the Pros” and get an edge on the competition. A convenient schedule allows participants to receive advanced training without having to sacrifice academics, time with their families or amateur team commitments. This program is available to student athletes in grades 6, 7 and 8 and will provide intense on-ice training three days per week to maximize each individual’s potential.
Middle School Training Program Includes
- Academy runs September 1st thru April 1st allowing for Spring sports/activities
- Open to student athletes in 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from any school district.
- Students attend their current school district. North Catholic is for grades 9-12 only.
- Sixty (60) minutes of on-ice training each day
- Forty-five (45) minutes of performance training in the UPMC Sports Performance facility each day
- Preseason performance evaluation (on-ice and off-ice)
- Individual player assessment including video analysis with specialized program for training (on-ice and off-ice)
- Post-season performance evaluation with personalized off-season training program
Penguins observation day
Off-ice training in UPMC Sports Performance
Coach Mueller reviewing daily practice plan
Excel Hockey Academy Goalie Training
Goalies will have the opportunity to elevate their game by having individualized goalie training catered to their style of play. Goalies will focus on their technical game including; speed, depth & positioning, tracking and save selection. On-ice sessions will be a combination of specialized goalie training followed by shooting drills and small area games with the group.
On-Ice Training
Eight themes for the EXCEL Hockey Academy on-ice program:
Skating
Puck Handling/Control
Passing
Shooting
Positional Skills
Checking
Game Concepts
Tactical Skill Development
Performance Training
Three age-specific cycles of off-ice training:
1. Preparation and Corrective Exercise
Train proper movement patterns
Provide a foundation to increase intensity
Focus on core stability and mobility
2. Strength and Power
Optimize strength and power through ground-based training methods
3. Speed and Endurance
Improve quickness through plyometric speed and agility programs
CoachMePlus Athlete Performance Management
Seminars
In addition, Academy students will be invited to attend seminars on the following topics, and more, led by industry experts:
Leadership
Sports Nutrition
Performance Training
Sports Medicine
Sports Business Management
Mental Toughness/Sports Psychology