By Graham Perkins /
Spring and summer hockey leagues have become commonplace in most Canadian markets, where year-round demand for hockey programs dictates a steady supply of development camps and tournaments. But as it continues to grow, spring hockey organizations constantly face criticism of overdeveloping young players. It raises an interesting question: is there such a thing as too ?much hockey?
Some traditionalists argue that ice hockey is not a year-round sport, and that young kids should take the melting frost as a sign to hang up the skates and play other sports like baseball or soccer. Proponents of spring hockey counter with arguments that the game has changed and constant devotion to improving an individual’s play has helped many young stars flourish in the NHL. Both camps have a point, and there is no real right or wrong answer.
No matter where you stand on the issue, there is little doubt that spring hockey would have a lot more legitimacy in the Great White North if it was fully sanctioned by the sport’s main governing body, Hockey Canada. But according to Paul Carson, Hockey Canada’s director of hockey development, the issue isn’t nearly as contentious as some make it out to be.
“I don’t have any concerns with it. I think the consumer and the parents drive it and based on its popularity there’s a tremendous opportunity to offer kids enhancement. Hockey Canada’s proactive approach is, what should hockey look like 12 months of the year?”
It’s an interesting question. Carson breaks it down into four parts: Game competition, on-ice practicing, off-ice training, and off-ice skill development. During winter, the largest part is the game component. But in the summer, he thinks games should take a back seat to skill development, because subjecting kids to constant game scenarios won’t necessarily help them develop their skills.
“You look at a kid in a game, even one who’s super talented, and he’s got the puck on his stick for only a tiny portion of that game,” Carson said. “It’s like hitting 1000 golf balls at a driving range as opposed to playing 18 holes on a course. Which one is going to help your game more?”
Carson says parents signing their children up for leagues and tournaments should do some research before blindly following the so-called experts who promise to get little Johnny to reach his full potential as a budding NHL star.
“The single most devastating line I hear from parents is, ‘If I don’t sign my kid up, he’ll fall behind.’ Fall behind what? They just get caught up in a whirlwind tour of child hockey and feel as if they’re forced to do it,” ?Carson said.
“People look at Steven Stamkos winning a Lacrosse championship and say, ‘how did he do that playing spring hockey?’ He didn’t. Some kids are just very special, and there’s no magic formula to determine it. You just need to make sure the kids have a good experience that’s made from solid info.” |