For those attending the full day program for the first time
If you have not attended the Eagle River Hockey School in the past or if your skater is moving up from the Essential Skills to the Complete Training Program, please read the following description of our approach to player development and discipline. Our approach is the reason that over 75% of our participants come back year after year. However, every year there are a couple of skaters and parents who do not agree with our technique and feel we are too hard on the students. In this scenario, it can become a very long week for their skater and permanently have a negative impact on this student wanting to attend camps in the future. We have always said and understand that this is not the program for everyone. Let us explain our methods and why we do it, and then you can decide if it is the correct program for your skater.
What we are looking to achieve, in addition to providing excellent hockey skills training, is to provide a team-building experience and for players to learn some life lessons that we feel will be beneficial in their athletic career and beyond. This includes the idea that their physical and mental limitations are well beyond where they believe them to be. This can lead to a sense of accomplishment and increased confidence, as well as improving their skating ability by the end of a single week.
Our predominant teaching focus is through one-on-one instruction, trying to provide continuous feedback. In order to achieve this, the group must be very attentive with minimal distractions. This is one of the primary reasons for the strict discipline. Distractions to the instruction or to other players are simply not tolerated. Individuals that need to act out will quickly learn that this is not the place for it.
Players are held accountable for their actions both on and off the ice. An individual may be called out on-ice for his actions, but due to the team nature of hockey, the group as a whole is often held responsible for their actions. Leaving the locker rooms or the lunch room a mess or being late on the ice WILL result in the entire group skating. We feel that the skaters attending our complete training programs are old enough to take responsibility for themselves – they are required to pick up after themselves and take responsibility for their actions. Some parents in past summers have felt it unfair to hold the group responsible for any number of individual’s actions and that peer pressure can develop as a response. However, we feel that standards that we set help to create an environment where students do learn more about responsibility and putting the groups’ best interest as their priority. This has created a very rewarding experience to see teammates helping one another throughout the week – in promoting punctuality, self-policing the lunchroom and locker rooms without being directed by the staff. These are just some of the many benefits we have observed over the years of instructing a high-discipline hockey training program.
There are a few hours during the week where skaters are asked to push themselves beyond what they believe to be their physical and mental limits. The staff is there with them going through the same activity, for encouragement and for them to push harder. Although taxing, and perhaps not a fun experience, the energy, enthusiasm, and sense of accomplishment created by the exertion is very rewarding.
In general, if you do not agree with this approach or are skeptical of its value, you will be best served by finding a different program for your skater as it will not be good for the individual or the program. There are definitely students that cannot handle this environment and we would like you to consider the maturity and the mind set of your skater, as well as your own personal beliefs on discipline, when deciding if this is the right program for your skater and family.
What we are striving to achieve is best summarized in the following comments from parents:
“We wanted to thank you for a wonderful week at camp last week. (Our son) learned so much, made some great friends and came off the ice Friday more confident than we have ever seen. The player evaluation is such a nice way to close the week, I know how much work that is for the coaches after a long day on the ice; please let them know that it is greatly appreciated. As a parent, seeing your child get so much one-on-one player development, positive reinforcement, and encouragement makes us realize that your camp is truly a special place and the coaches are the best we have seen in youth hockey.”
“I wish you could see the dramatic improvement, both in skill level and in confidence level. The difference between the last session I watched and how (my son) looked on the ice tonight is AMAZING! Please extend my sincere appreciation and admiration to the coaching staff on making a huge difference in (my son's) game after just one week with them.”