Elitehockey's Darren Turcotte works players through an off-season workout. Photo by Matt Gordon.
When the final horn sounds in the final hockey game of the year, many players “hang up” the skates and take the time to rest before the next season begins. However, for some players, the players who want to take their game to the next level, that is when the real training begins.
A group of players exactly like that are taking full advantage of an off season strength and conditioning program at Elitehockey.net. The program is being run by former NHLer and Nipissing Lakers assistant coach Darren Turcotte, who has the players focused squarely on their core muscles.
“In the past, players would be talking about how much they can bench press. We realize now that that doesn’t really translate into any hockey specific skills,” said Turcotte after a recent training session.
“In these workouts we focus on the core, the muscles above the knees and below the chest; strength in these muscles will bring you a harder shot, faster skating and better stability,” added Turcotte.
Many local players are taking advantage of Turcotte’s expertise and the beautiful facilities at Elitehockey.net. There are players at the atom and peewee levels looking to improve their game as well as midget and junior players who are looking to crack a roster come training camp this fall.
The midget and junior players have all seen first hand that the difference between making a team and being sent home can be very small. They are working hard to make sure they are not the players sent packing.
Former Trapper Nick Huard is working toward a return to the QMJHL’s Lewistown Maineiacs and hopefully an increased role on the team. Marc Senecal is off to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Brown University. Marc’s cousin, Joel Senecal who played last season with the Skyhawks is looking to crack the roster of the OHL’s Peterborough Petes.
Another athlete making a big jump in the fall, who is working with the team at Elitehockey is Tait Seguin. The Bantam AAA Blade is moving on to Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan. Seguin will hope to follow in the footsteps of former Notre Dame players like Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier, Curtis Joseph and Wendel Clark.
Turcotte stresses to the players that just like focusing on specific muscle groups in these workouts, they need to stay focused on the specific goal of making their respective teams.
“It is easy in the summer to fall into a trap and relax too much,” said the 14 year NHL veteran. “Having a program like this allows the players to stay focused, it gives them a schedule they need to keep and we work them hard,” added Turcotte.
And work them hard he does; by the end of the session every player was reaching for water as if they had just spent a month in the desert.
“We are working muscles I didn’t even know I had,” joked Joel Senecal. “When the session finally ends you are completely spent and that’s good, because you know you are pushing your body to be better,” he added.
