Training Camp Chronicles with Mitch Giguere: Part Two

Let’s dive into the second part of the 2023 Training Camp drills. They’re not all based on skill, but you’ll learn how to incorporate hockey skills within a drill.

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Training Camp 2023 - Skill Agility Short Area Receiving Passes

Keep your blade on the ice and receive a pass on your backhand or forehand with a two shots drill. With little overspeed, this will help you work on receiving a pass and shooting the puck in different areas.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Agility Facing the Puck

Learning to catch a puck on your forehand and backhand is essential. Turning around the circle while receiving the puck. Some variations are to face the puck (second part of the video).

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Around the Objects

A lot of obstacles in the circle, a couple of players in the corner, and let’s have some fun. Dangling around the obstacles and sometimes passing back to the corner. Let’s try to be imaginative here and get outside our comfort zone.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Breakout of a Rim and Attacking Net Right Away

You must understand how to position yourself, scan the ice, make the plays, feel the pressure, and more. Catching the puck off the wall and getting away from the wall.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Breakout of a Rim

A lot of teams are working on breakout rims. You have to master that art. You can work on the skill in the neutral zone by adding crossing-over and building up speed.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills D Working on Escape

Who does it better than S. Girard? Working on your escape before and after practice will make you better to escape the pressure.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Deception for D

In a small space, you can still be creative as a coach. You’re placing pylons or plastic players on the ice and helping your squad to get better at walking the blue line.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Deflection Around The Net

An individual skill of deflection. Everyone knows Pavelski is good at it; but watch him in practice. Every time he can, he’ll work on tipping the puck. Same with this drill, it’s easy to do from 3 different places.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Free Space

Half the zone because your goalie is in the neutral zone and your coach is working on the other side of the ice. No problem here. Why not work on entries, punch turns, and attacking the net?

Training Camp 2023 - Skills on Entries

Building speed in the neutral zone. Keeping your feet moving and changing direction is probably why you have or haven’t had success on the rushes. When you are alone, try this drill and enjoy it.

Training Camp 2023 - Skills One-Timer

Do we have to explain this drill? Probably the most common one regarding being better with your one-timer!

Training Camp 2023 - Skills Puck Retrieval for D

Puck retrieval for D involves three players. I like it, not only because you can work on the retrieval, but you work on passing to the dot and the weak side.

I hope you enjoyed this second part of the Training Camp 2023 Drills!

November 23, 2023

Blog by CoachThem Contributor, Mitch Giguere (Edited by Kelsey Dold)

Mitch Giguere, ChPC, an assistant coach with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Mitch has his High Performance 2 from Hockey Canada, Advanced Coaching Diploma from the Canadian Sport Institute and is finishing his Learning Accelerator at the Canadian Sport Institute. You can follow his popular video breakdown on Social Media for more excellent hockey content.

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