PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Professional power skating instruction that focuses on:
  • Technique
  • Agility
  • Acceleration
  • Transition Skating
  • Starts
• Checking Clinic
  • Proper Technique
  • Angling
  • Shoulder
  • Hip
  • Stick
  • Receiving a Check
• Instruction in wrist, backhand, snap and slap shot - shot speed measured with a digital radar gun
• Advanced instruction in stick handling.
• Daily off-ice core strength and plyometric physical training program.
• Off-ice Skills Center instruction.
• Digital video analysis of skating, shooting and checking.
• Each player receives a comprehensive evaluation and players handbook.
• Players participate in a private individual conference or seminar with an assigned instructor.

The Edmonton Oilers Hockey School has provided leading edge instruction since 1963 as it enters into its 46th year of operation. Edmonton Oilers Hockey School has recognized that the new rules have significantly altered hockey at all levels to a game of unprecedented speed and skill. Collectively, with over 70 years of NHL playing experience, our full time hockey staff has designed comprehensive hockey specific programs to address these changes.

Players will be grouped according to age and ability. It is our main objective in the Elite Programs to put together a group of players who have reached a high level of the basic skills for their age, and are thus prepared to undertake a more rigorous program with regard to skating, passing and shooting, puck control, checking and team play. Entrance to our elite programs are limited to players playing rep hockey throughout the current season. Edmonton Oilers Hockey School requests a letter from the player’s coach and or manager to confirm his level.

Players accepted into this program will be exposed to the best instruction available. Each group will have a qualified, experienced head instructor with 6 qualified assistant instructors that results in a player instructor ratio of 5-1. The head instructor in most cases will be from the Collegiate hockey system or Professional coaching ranks. It should also be recognized that this specialized program is not for average athletes, and can only be as “Elite” as the attitude, ability, performance and desire of each individual who makes up the group.

In addition to three hours of daily on-ice instruction, students participate in an extensive off-ice program which focuses on core strength training and plyometerics specifically designed for the needs of young hockey players. Also included is an upgraded off-ice lecture program featuring top new customized DVD hockey instructional material presented by qualified instructors. Players also participate in motivational seminars that key into important off-ice skills such as visualization and goal setting. A nutritional seminar is also given so young hockey players understand the importance of a healthy diet and hydration.

The Edmonton Oilers Hockey School Skill Center focuses on shooting and is used daily by all groups at the Edmonton Oilers Hockey School. Players work on their shooting and puck handling skills at the Edmonton Oilers Skill Center on our synthetic plastic surface. Each player has their slap, wrist, snap and back hand shots digitally recorded to be reviewed. This allows an instructor to break down each shot frame by frame to isolate strengths and weaknesses in players shots. Nets, radar guns, shooter tooters, pucks, targets, stick handlers, slide boards and ball machines for the goaltenders are all teaching tools and equipment used in the Skills Center.

Each player receives a one on one meeting with an instructor to answer hockey related questions which is included as part of the evaluation booklet that is presented to each player at the awards presentation. The evaluation booklet includes fundamentals and drills covered during the hockey school session as well as individual testing results and comments.