What did Chris Drury do?

One of the best methods to plan how to maximize one's potential is to find experts in the field. Who are the experts in the field of hockey? They should fulfill two or three of the following criteria.

1) Do they have a background or a degree in Education? If they do not what methodology do they utilize? Do the have a methodology? If not how do the players learn?

2) Do they have a background or a degree in Physiology? Kinesieology? Physiology of Exercise? If not how do they know proper training procedures?

3) Do they have a background in Psychology or a degree in a Psychologically related field? If not what is their motivational philosophy? Do they know what motivates players?

4) Do they have a background in Leadership or Leadership Studies? What is their methodology? If they do not understand how to lead, how can the players follow?

5) What are their experiences and do those experiences have any relationship to development or maximizing potential? Or do they guess at what may be productive as so many do in hockey? Have they kept up with changes in physiological preparation? Have they kept up with changes in psychological development? If not aren't they behind in the requisite skills and knowledge?

6) Do they engage in “Lifelong learning (which) is becoming a necessity,” as Howard Gardner writes in his book, The Disciplined Mind? Gardner goes on to write that during one's life, “one must continue to study, to master, to practice - above all, to improve one's mental skills and powers…”

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Ideally having coaches well versed in all of these areas should be beneficial to the players in the developmental stages. There is no guarantee, but the chances are that someone who possesses skills and a knowledge base in the six criteria listed above will be more qualified than someone who has qualifications in one or none.

The USA/Massachusetts Satellite Program(MASTP) has been a leader in the field of development. Approaches and strategies developed and utilized by the STP have been applied by NHL teams, NCAA college hockey teams, high school teams and the National Development Team Program(NDTP).

The second method by which one can formulate a plan to maximize one's potential is to find out what top players, world class players did at their age. Any parent in today's hockey would more than likely be surprised that a large percentage of players did NOT play hockey or skate 12 months a year. They may also be surprised that those players weren't constantly looking for exposure.

European players and Russian players do NOT skate 12 months a year. Name any European players and they were not fearful of “not being seen”. They spent their time getting better and taking time off from skating and hockey. Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg, Saku Koivu, or Nilolai Khabilbulin or any player that you can name had a training plan. In Europe there is no pressure from business people who run leagues and tournaments as there is here.

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Dave Conti the Director of Scouting for 3 time Stanley Cup Champion NJ Devils says about development, “ Parents and player's are more interested in playing for rewards and for recognition rather than pure joy. When you do this, this limits the chances of advancement. The very thing that parents and players want, they are precluding by a misinformed road map.” Conti can't understand why parents buckle to the pressure of the businessman and entrepreneurs. “These summer(and spring) exposure tournaments are a big waste of time…You have people who run these things telling parents and players that if they do not participate that you will not gain recognition! I will find you! I do not go to these things. They are a waste…You need to do challenging drills, that is how you get better…You don't need exposure. You need to get better.” This is the goal of the STP to make players better physically and mentally through well purposely designed on ice and off ice programs.

So what did Chris Drury do at ages 10 or 12 or 14?

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“I never skated in the summer until I got to BU. I always played baseball all spring and summer.” “We would also play pickup basketball and football whenever we could. This variety ultimately helped me become a better hockey player and certainly helped me not to get burnt out on hockey.”

So you can act on facts or you can guess at how to maximize one's potential. Clearly playing 12 months a year does NOT work and is regressive. Clearly exposure is not necessary. After all if Chris Drury did not play in spring or summer leagues or tournaments how did anyone know him? How did they find him when he was playing Public School Hockey outside of New Haven Connecticut? Answer: There are no secrets. Get the facts and spend your time getting better.

Chris was just named to the U.S. National Team.

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