What Did Mike Grier Do?

In an earlier article that we distributed, Chris Drury speaks of what he did in the off season at the age of 10, 12 and 14 years of age. Chris said recalling those years,

“I never skated in the summer until I got to BU. I always played baseball all spring and summer.”

Mike Grier had similar experiences to his former BU teammate and current Buffalo Sabre teammate. Because Mike lived in Massachusetts he was able to participate in the first Massachusetts Satellite program(MASTP) in 1988.

In the first years of the MASTP the program was only for 16 and 17 year olds. The off ice sessions were part of the program, but were not as comprehensive as they became in the ensuing years.

Along with Mike in the first Satellite program were Shawn Bates(NY Islanders), Jay Pandolfo(NJ Devils) and 2 current NHL scouts Chris O'Sullivan(Colorado) and Jeff Kealty(Nashville). In 1992 the MASTP expanded to 14 and 15 years olds. Hobey Baker winner at BC Mike Mottau and Paul Mara(Phoenix) were part of that first group. In 1994 the MASTP expanded to 13 year olds and in 1999 expanded again to 12 year olds.

Mike says of the MASTP,

“I greatly enjoyed the time I spent at the Satellite Programs. The program provided a positive and friendly teaching environment, which was very important to me. It gave me the chance to work on my game in a fun, stress free atmosphere that focused on fundamentals instead of flashiness. This was very valuable in my development as a hockey player.” “My overall experience at the Satellite camp was great and really helped my g rowth as a hockey player.”

Speaking of what he did when he was 10, 12 and 14 years of age. Mike says,

“I didn't play hockey in the summer until I was 15. My parents felt and I believe that spending time with friends and playing other sports are important for a kid growing up. I played soccer, baseball, basketball and ran track. Doing these activities helped me develop athletically as well as discovering which sport I most enjoyed.”

It is interesting that neither Chris Drury or Mike Grier “specialized” in hockey. They were athletes first. This gave them the necessary foundation to be successful in hockey as they matured. Young players who are not athletic will find it very difficult to be a successful player without an athletic foundation. Both Chris and Mike without knowing it followed a path similar to the European training system. They were athletic, they did not skate 12 months a year so they never over - trained physically or burned out mentally. Speaking of Mike Mottau, Mike was a 3 - sport athlete his senior year at Thayer Academy - playing football, hockey and lacrosse.