35th Annual Eagle River Summer Hockey School

Northern Freeze

Hockey Training Program

Eagle River, Wisconsin -

"Home of the Dome"

2008 Programs 

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Goal

The goal of the Northern Freeze Hockey Training Program is to make students better hockey players by providing a fun and challenging learning environment.

Teaching Model

As the game returns to its roots showcasing skillful play, Northern Freeze continues to teach the skills critical to becoming an elite player.  As the scientific understanding of precise hockey training evolves, Northern Freeze innovates.

A superior teaching model allows students to learn skills and improve their game.  Northern Freeze is known for providing an intense and disciplined learning environment.  This is the most dedicated and disciplined hockey instruction team anywhere.  The tone of the learning environment is set by an organized and disciplined staff.  The instruction team is briefed by the Lead Instructor before each session to ensure the team is prepared to teach.

To maintain a reasonable attention span from students there must be a diversity of learning environments with more direct attention to the student, and increased activity for the student.  On-ice sessions are taught through a variety of methods.

During individual skill development sessions, drills are explained by a lead instructor and then demonstrated by instructors.  Once students start a drill an instructor observes, constructively comments, and continuously follows up with the student.  In small group environments an instructor teaches a group of 5 – 7 students and pays close attention to their progress within the group and provides direct feedback when appropriate.

Students are given an opportunity to practice a drill at least 4 times before the next drill is introduced.  There is an emphasis on repetition.  Drills that emphasize important fundamentals are often repeated up to 50 times to encourage proper technique.  In all teaching environments if a student fails to grasp a concept after the first explanation and demonstration, instructors start from the beginning and attempt to have the student grasp one aspect of the technique being taught.  Once the concept of a skill is acquired a student generally progresses through a drill with better technique.

Player Options

Northern Freeze offers four different training programs.  Each program attempts to fit the developmental needs of hockey players of different ages and skill levels.  While each program differs in curriculum Northern Freeze always emphasizes skating ability as the most important component of any hockey player's game. 

 A great skater is always involved in the play and is more likely to gain possession of the puck.  The next important skill is puck control and knowing how to be a dynamic puck handler.  The third and usually last action of skating and puck control is shooting.