A word about the program....
Jack Blatherwick, one of the U.S. Olympic coaches in Minnesota, started the USA Hockey National Satellite Program in the late 1980’. The purpose was to train players for higher levels of play, with the possibility that some of these players may be chosen to represent the United States in international competition.
Massachusetts under the direction of Dan Esdale and then Coaching Program Director Joseph Mallen brought the program east and expanded the age groups from 15-17 yr. olds to now 11-20 yr. olds. With the understanding of age related Optimum Stages of Development, the program elected to start with younger players, reasoning that good training habits could be of greater benefit if they were introduced and practiced at a younger age. In addition, the female category was added 2005
At the start, USA Olympic (1996 , 2002)and NHL Player Coach John Cunniff of Boston developed and headed the initial program.
Former participants presently with Pro, College and National teams now contribute time as coaches while serving as role models to the Mass/USA Satellite Training Program (STP).
The Massachusetts USA Hockey Satellite Training Program (STP)
The Massachusetts Satellite Training Program (STP) is a program is designed to enhance the hockey skills and athleticism of highly motivated and/ or highly skilled players.
Mission
The Mass STP has been designed to provide the highly skilled players of potential national caliber with a dynamic and progressive Off- Seasonregionalized training program that offers a comprehensive plan of development leading to the realization of the players maximum potential.
Purpose
To accelerate year - round progress in the following areas:
1) Skill development...
2) Hockey specific athleticism...
3) Competition...
4) Lifestyle education...
awareness of good nutrition, psychological, physiological, and other factors which effect athletic development...
6) Opportunities in hockey education...
7) Citizenship...
8) Commitment...
9) Goal setting...
STP specific goals
The STP will provide On-Ice training /practice, Off-Ice training, and challenging competition, supported by education, motivation, testing, a calendar of periodization which include both training and recovery. This will ultimately enhance the overall development of the athlete and provide opportunities to participate in other sports.
Training Principles (Guidelines)
· Player development is more important than winning.
· Off-Season emphasis must be on individual development.
· Quality repetition of skills is essential. Coaches are experts in Interval Training and On-Ice skill development
· Players are taught and trained to develop athleticism with focus on developing speed, power, strength, coordination, quickness, and agility.
· Competition format to providing opportunity for creativity as well as high level challenges through competition.
· Education provided on life style management related to developing athleticism, proper nutrition training, and achieving goals.
Participant Process / Calendar
Periodization Calendar
Note: Because this plan addresses player development over the entire year, it may occur to some that this is a program of over-emphasis„ too much hockey, excessive training, excessive specialization. Just the opposite is true; the word periodization implies planned variety at different phases of the year.
The major goals are to develop athleticism and hockey skills. Players will be encouraged to improve athleticism through participation in activities where athleticism is a priority. Additionally, they will learn about the need of rest /recovery, both physically and psychologically.
This is not like aerobic training, which can be of low quality. The development of athletic qualities like quickness, agility, speed, power, and endurance surely would suffer if the workouts lacked intensity, and this would surely happen if, at any phase of the year, the players became bored, physically tired or mentally fatigued.
Players are selected through an initial advertised open tryout process
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March
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Tryouts are open to all age eligible Massachusetts Hockey/USA Hockey registered players meeting the requirements and in good-standing with Massachusetts hockey
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April
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Spring Festival Evaluations for selection to STP, National Festivals (16 & 17) John Cunniff Mass In-District Camp note: (this varies for the female selection process.
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May
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Most important Dryland Training of the year for the Legs; there is no skating. The schedule will include; Orientation, Physical Testing, along with encouragement of participation in Spring-time athletic sports
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June
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On-Ice training (2-3 times weekly), Over-Speed Interval Training; Off-Ice Training and intramural scrimmages
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July
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Continue training and competitions as planned in the periodization calendar. Selected players attend the USA National Camps (note some variation per age group
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Aug
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Summer training concludes minus various competitions.
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Sept
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Time permitting, provide athletes with progress report
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Coaches/instructors
The staffs of Coaches, trainers, and instructors are selectively chosen for this program.
Coaches of a shared development philosophy are invited from the Professional, Collegiate, Junior, High school, and National Teams ranks with experience on the training principles required in the development of high caliber players.
Program Funding Cost of participation
Funding of this program is acquired through;
* A tuition charged to each participant
* Grant from USA Hockey;
* Grant from Massachusetts Hockey;
