PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Professional power skating instruction that focuses on
  • Technique
  • Agility
  • Acceleration
  • Transition Skating
  • Starts
• Instruction in wrist, backhand, snap and slap shot - shot speed measured with a digital radar gun.
• Daily off-ice core strength and physical training program.
• Off-ice Skills Center instruction.
• Video analysis of skating.
• Each player receives a comprehensive evaluation and players handbook.

The Okanagan Hockey School has provided leading edge instruction since 1963 currently in its 47th year of operation. Okanagan 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 50 years of NHL playing experience, our full time hockey staff has designed comprehensive hockey specific programs to address these changes.

The Six principal areas, the program addresses are the following:

1. Power skating
2. Stick handling
3. Passing
4. Shooting
5. Checking
6. Team concepts

OHS students play in their respective age groups, or in line with their individual abilities, so that each player has an opportunity to develop rapidly by receiving full attention from their instructors.

Players will receive training and instruction in the fundamentals and application of techniques in game situations from experienced instructors, being exposed to the best instruction available. In addition to the two and a half hours of ice time per day, students participate in an extensive off-ice program which focuses on core strength training, cross-sport 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 Okanagan Hockey School Skill Center focuses on shooting and is used daily by all groups at the OHS. 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 individual testing results and comments.