I’m not afraid to say it. I have been outcoached at every Micro Ice game for the past four years. I don’t run systems. I don’t match lines. I don’t adjust in game. I don’t pull kids who mess up. I don’t even own a white board. I remind the players to skate fast and pass the puck. That’s it. The vast majority of the time I don’t even go to the games.

I’m 0-5 in the playoffs.

 I don’t care.

 Why?

I coach at practice.

I limit the number of kids on teams to maximize reps and limit down time. I do races, chases, battles, games, and competitions all practice long. The kids touch the puck more, pass more, shoot more, race more, skate more, and compete more. Could I make more money and bring on more kids? Sure. But that’s not what I’m about. 

I’m about development.

We work on scenarios, not drills, that are important for the growth and development of players. Try and make a move, see what happens when you stickhandle through 1, 2, 3 people. See what works. See what doesn’t. I provide feedback, I provide guidance, and I provide a positive environment. The players learn from failures, learn from mistakes, and learn from successes. 

 

Want to learn more about Micro Ice Teams? Click below.

 

Team Information

The Bruins Academy is off to a great start here at Micro Ice! We’ve had 75+ new hockey players come through here and learn from Micro Ice coaches, Curry College hockey players, and Merrimack College hockey players too!

Last week Bruins alum Andrew Alberts came by to skate with some of the kids.

This week Bruins great Rick Middleton will be at Micro Ice!!!

Micro Ice is proud to announce that Program Director David Breen has joined the Merrimack College Men’s Ice Hockey Staff. Breen will be the Video Coordinator along with Director of Analytics for the team. He will be using his years of coaching and skill development experience to help the Warriors this year in Hockey East. Prior to Merrimack, Breen was an assitant coach at Bentley University and Curry College. Breen also played for Merrimack College in the early 2000’s. 

He will also continue coaching the programs here at Micro Ice including the clinics, Micro Ice Mite teams, along with doing private lessons. Click the link below to see what Clinics are avaiable with Coach Dave!

 

 

 

Micro Ice Clinics

As a Program Director of a small rink in North Andover, MA, I get told all the time that “Cross ice is good for younger players… but not for my kid. He/She is ready for full ice.” And, while I know that it’s my job to sell the idea of a smaller surface, I am fortunate in the fact that science backs up my claims about the benefits of cross ice for players of any level. There is a reason why the NHL practices cross ice. There is a reason why we do it at the NCAA Division I level.

Advantages of cross ice training

If I ran one of these two practices…Which one would you want to sign your child up for? Same price, same amount of time on the ice.

 

Practice A	Drill	Practice B
10	Shots on Net	60
20	Passes Made	40
10	Passed Received	50
10	Battle	20
10	High Speed Changes of Direction	20

  

It would be safe to assume that you would want your child to participate in practice B. More puck touches/shots/passes/skating etc. All of the things that are useful and important in the game are emphasized in cross ice. (See picture below.) 

So, why would you be OK with a game being like that? When scouting and recruiting for NCAA scholarships, we look for players that can make plays. Not kids that rushed to the next level too soon.

Try cross ice training at Micro Ice

Your child gets better by doing those things. They need to practice those types of situation in game like conditions…And that is exactly what Micro Ice in North Andover, MA does. The smaller surface involves players more often, they are always “in the play.” It also forces them to make plays quicker. They need to process everything and execute shots, passes, skating faster; because they run out of time and space more rapidly than on a normal rink. When these kids go back to a full sized ice, the game is easier. They have more time and space the make plays and are better prepared for higher level of play.

Check out our programs in North Andover, MA and see why people love coming to our clinics.

Micro Ice Clinics