A Special COMMEMORATIVE SECTION An inside look at how the American Development Model is helping every youth hockey player reach his or her full potential while having fun along the way.

Welcome To Cross-Ice Country

Move To Cross-ice Mites Puts Everyone On loopholes that some have used to play by their own rules. A Level Playing Surface | BY HARRY THOMPSON “I think it was a great move by the magine a Little Leaguer board of directors to pass it hurling a baseball off a and it’s something that a lot mound that is 60 feet, 6 of the Affiliate presidents have inches away from home been looking for for a cou- plate. Or an 8-year-old ple of years,” said Joe Baudo, IPop Warner player running 100 president of New York State yards to paydirt. Or a pint-sized Amateur Hockey Association. hoopster attempting to toss a “With this rule or stan- regulation basketball through a dard or mandate, however 10-foot hoop. they want to phrase it, it’s It wouldn’t make much sense going to help us out along to most parents. Yet, when it with other border Affiliates comes to , some adults because people will not leave see nothing wrong with having a my Affiliate to go somewhere kid lugging a 6 ounce puck 200 else in order to play at a feet down the ice and attempt to different level because each shoot it into the same net as an Affiliate is a little different NHL player. The program is designed to help the with what they do. This puts everybody “For the longest time, the sport of ice development among Mite-level players together on the same ice rink.” hockey was the only team sport in the by reducing the ice surface, increasing As part of the new rule, USA Hockey United States that does not downsize opportunities to touch the puck and shift- will create a special subcommittee consist- to the age and the size of the kids,” said ing emphasis from playing games to fun, ing of Affiliate presidents and members of Mark Tabrum, director of USA Hockey’s skill-developing practices. the Player Development Committee to Coaching Education Program. “This is just how hockey will be played consider requests to play a very limited “When I played Little League baseball, in the United States in the future,” said number of full-ice games, particularly at I didn’t pitch the distance they do in the Ken Martel, technical director of the the end of the season, to help this transi- major leagues. The ball and bat were also ADM, who views the move as the next tion in the rare cases where an Affiliate a different size and weight. However, we logistical step in the program that is now thinks it’s needed. expect 5, 6, 7 and 8-year-old kids to play entering its fifth full season. By cutting the ice into thirds using rink on the same size rink as a pro, use the “We want to provide the best experi- dividers, more young players will have an same size and weight puck as a pro, defend ence and challenge our elite players to opportunity to play the game on a sheet of the same size net as a pro. It doesn’t make become even better. All we have done is ice that is better suited to their size. any sense.” change the size of the playing surface that “Simple mathematics tells you that That’s about to change as starting in our kids are playing on. It’s about fitting they’re going to touch the puck more the 2013-14 season USA Hockey will put the playing surface to match the size of our because you divide the amount of ice that some muscle where its mouth is by requir- kids, fitting the game to them and giving they’re on by eight players instead of 12,” ing that all 8 & Under hockey will be them the opportunity to have success." said Kevin McLaughlin, senior director of played on a cross-ice playing surface, thus Affiliate presidents and many others Hockey Development. providing every association and Affiliate around the country praised USA Hockey’s “You’ll have success, which should pro- with a consistent and level playing field for board of directors for creating the new vide them with an opportunity to have fun the benefit of Mite players. rule, which they say will help close the and enjoy the game more.” N A Special ADM ROUND-UP | MORE THAN JUST MITES

More Than Just Mites While Early Focus Has Been On 8 & Under Hockey, The ADM Is Really A Top-To-Bottom Approach To Development | BY HARRY THOMPSON

journey of 1,000 miles begins turning back.” with a single step. “It’s gaining momentum quicker than When USA Hockey looked we ever thought it would, and the people to roll out its revolution- who have been in Mite programs, people ary American Development who have experienced well-run ADM pro- Model,A the architects knew that changing grams, there’s no way they’ll accept any- the culture of youth hockey in the United thing less,” McLaughlin said. States would take time. That’s why they Players and parents in the past were started small, like Mite-sized, and focused used to things a certain way. They grew on the bottom rung of the development lad- up playing full-ice games using regula- der to build the right foundation for players tion-sized nets and black pucks. But as who were just coming into the game. future generations began to understand Over the course of the past four seasons, the logic behind the policies, they began the ADM has become synonymous with to embrace them. Mite cross-ice hockey because that’s where Now, as kids move up the ladder of much of the focus has been. But in reality, development from Squirts to Peewees, the American Development Model is every Peewees to Bantams, and Bantams to bit as important for a Midget player who is Midgets, they are looking for more of the looking to take his game to the next level. Rushing kids through the system in hopes same, and that’s a continued emphasis on A more accurate interpretation would of giving them a leg up on the competition the same things that made their experi- be that the ADM is a “cradle to grave” has not only proven to be counterproduc- ences at Mites so much fun. program that is designed to instill the tive, it robs them of the fun of being a “The ones who are now participating basic skills and a passion for the game in kid while impacting their development at at Mites and Squirts are wondering what’s our youngest players. It then spends the crucial stages in their young lives. next at other levels,” McLaughlin said. ensuing seasons nurturing and improv- As the American Development Model “They return to an old type of practice ing those skills as players continue up continues to take root in youth hockey and kids stand behind a cone and only one the youth hockey ladder until they reach associations across the country, parents and player goes at a time and they do the horse- the adult ranks where, hopefully, they players will be looking to scale the next shoe drill or the loop and shoot, and they’re continue to play and enjoy the game as a rung on the development ladder. As Kevin going to go ‘no, this is unacceptable. This is means of recreation and physical fitness McLaughlin, senior director of Hockey not the ADM. I don’t want my child to be for the rest of their lives. Development, said, “there is no way we’re left behind.’ ” N “Any kid that comes through your pro- grams, whether it’s for one season or 10 seasons, should be able to look back on LONG TERM ATHLETIC that experience and say two things, ‘I DEVELOPMENT CHECK OUT THE learned a lot’ and ‘I had a great time,’ ” COMPLETE WINDOW said Stephen Norris, a British sports OF TRAINABILITY Sports science people have broken down the stages CHART AT and physiology scientist who helps train of long-term athletic development, which the ADM ADMKIDS.COM Canadian Olympic athletes. has adapted to the various age levels: “You do that, you’ll find the superstars, but more importantly, you’ll have kids who Early Childhood Active Start (Males & Females 0-6) love the game.” Late Childhood FUNdamentals (Males 6-9 & Females 6-8) By its very definition, long-term athlete Adolescence Learn to Train (Males 9-12 & Females 8-11) development is not something that is (Early Puberty) achieved over the course of one practice, Adolescence Train to Train (Males 12-16 & Females 11-15) or even a single season. It’s a consistent (Late Puberty) Early Adulthood Learn to Compete (Males 16-18 & Females 15-18) approach to proper physical activity and Early Adulthood Train to Compete (Males 19-23 & Females 18-21) training that is achieved at specific ages. Adulthood Train to Win (Males 19+ & Females 18 +)

02 PHOTOS BY USA Hockey Magazine Archives A Special ADM ROUND-UP | MYTHS & REALITIES

BY KEVIN UNIVERSAL Myths & REALITIES Of The American Development Model

Kids Won’t Be In As Good A Shape Playing Cross-Ice Have you battled for a puck in the corner and gone back and forth in a 10-foot space for 20 seconds? There are numerous ways kids can get conditioned in small areas or in small games, so don’t worry about missing out on that aspect with the ADM. There are a lot more ways than skating lines on a full sheet to build up conditioning, especially with fun drills and small area games that keep kids smiling and wanting more, even though they are dead tired.

The Kids Won’t Have As Much Fun Ask your kids if they like to play games or stand around. Ask them if they like to carry the puck and score goals. Ask them realize any change good, bad or indif- number of coaches to help run stations if they like whistles and stoppages in play. ferent is still a change and can be is an effective way to use ice efficiently Kids invariably have more fun when they difficult for people to accept. That’s without crowding. All of the kids I wit- are actively engaged in practice or a game. why I started to collect a few of the nessed at these practices and jamborees High-energy drills and small games help negative comments that I have heard were engaged in fun drills or games with develop kids while they are having loads Iabout the American Development Model lots of puck touches and plenty of smiles. of fun. Also cross-ice games support these with regards to cross-ice play in the hopes of same ideals with more puck touches, more dispelling these myths. The Kids Won’t Learn scoring opportunities, less stoppages and Teamwork or Positioning make for a more enjoyable game for every- It Isn’t Real Hockey—Using Half The How much teamwork is involved with one one involved. N Surface And The Smaller Nets Won’t player skating with the puck from one end Help Kids Learn The Real Game of a full sheet of ice and shooting before Kevin Universal is the president of Carolina Do other sports ask their youngest athletes most of the other players catch up to the Amateur Hockey Association and a hockey dad. to play on a full-size football field, use a play? Cross-ice forces kids to work together 10-foot basketball net, run 90-foot bases in smaller areas to develop scoring or use a full-size soccer net? No. Smaller opportunities and be creative. Small fields and equipment have been used every- area games also work on the basics of where except in hockey. Age-appropriate breakouts and forechecking but in a fun TO LEARN MORE ABOUT surfaces and equipment help put the game and competitive way. THE SCIENCE into perspective for younger kids, allow for BEHIND THE better development of their skills, and most The Kids Won’t Learn To Skate ADM, GO TO ADMKIDS.COM importantly, help make the game more fun The ADM emphasizes age-appropriate for kids. skating drills but also focuses on fun drills and activities that help players It Will Be Too Crowded On The Ice develop more over the long term. The I have seen numerous practices with 60 smaller areas also help kids increase their or more Mites on the ice at the same time quickness and explosive and have yet to see it look crowded. A speed, which is best devel- well-planned-out practice with the right oped at the younger ages.

03 A Special ADM ROUND-UP | LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Living Proof Associations Around The Country Are Finding Success With The ADM | BY RYAN SATKOWIAK

uccess is often measured by the mom or dad sitting in the stands and matters of degree. drinking coffee.” What is viewed as a “success” Parental pushback seems to be the can depend on who you ask, greatest in areas of the country that are as people’s views are generally more widely considered to be hockey Sshaped by their experiences. hotbeds, primarily in the Northeast and When talking to leaders of youth Midwest. There, you have parents who hockey associations about the American are more likely to have grown up playing Development Model, success can be hockey. When those parents were kids, summed up in one word: fun. cross-ice games wasn’t even an idea. And that is one of the main goals of That resistance hasn’t been as heavy the ADM. While its stated objectives are in more non-traditional markets, such as to maintain a high retention rate and San Jose, where many of the kids are first improve the skills of the kids participating, generation players with parents who have the easiest and most effective way of doing little hockey knowledge outside of their that is to make practices and games fun. local professional team. The simplest answer to improving the As long as their kids are enjoying them- “fun factor,” as Keith Barrett — former selves, they are on board with whatever is president of Vermont Youth Hockey and being taught. current New England District Director “I think the people here in Silicon — calls it, is to make practices and games Valley understand with small area games, more engaging. No one has fun when the more times their kid touches the they’re standing around on the ice, or puck, the kid comes off with a smile. I sitting on the bench, or chasing a puck think that’s something that’s a success,” carrier around a large ice surface. Gustafson said. Barrett and Vermont were ahead of the And that’s what it’s all about. More kids curve when they started playing cross-ice enjoying the game, and sticking with it. games six years ago, and took a lead- The proof is in the participation. In ing roll in promoting them around New larly revolutionary — it had already been Chelsea, Mich., they are fielding five England with what essentially was a large- implemented in other sports, most nota- Squirt teams, the most they have ever scale game of show-and-tell. bly being baseball — some hockey parents fielded. In Bedford, they have increased “We would have teams come in when were turning their noses up at the idea. enrollment in their 8 & Under program there would be a tournament and they “People don’t like change,” said Jon from 40 to 60, and have two Squirts and were reluctant to play cross-ice,” Barrett Gustafson, vice president of Sharks Ice in two Peewee teams. San Jose will have recalled. “So we’d say to them that the San Jose, Calif., one of 11 associations to 60 mini-Mites on the ice at one time. first half of the game we’ll do full-ice and gain ADM model club status. In Vermont, the Peewee team won the the second half we’ll do cross-ice. And the If that’s the case, how do you get some- District championship for the first time in kids didn’t want to go back to full-ice. one to accept a different way of thinking? quite some time. “I really think that’s what helped sell it. Mike Bonelli of the Bedford (Mass.) Youth How long will it take parents to adjust We were here doing it, and they’d come Hockey Association tried to get parents to this concept? Based on the experiences over and play it, and they’d see that the more involved by having them help out of other associations, not too long. kids got more touches, they were having with on-ice practices. “In the last two years, we’ve had liter- more fun, they were on the ice more and “That’s helped us continue to sell the ally zero complaints. It’s really remark- they were more engaged in the game. So ADM model because they get to see it able,” Bonelli said. “At 8 & Under, just let the fun factor kind of went up.” firsthand,” he said. “They get to see their them play. If we get any complaints, it’s While the idea of a downscaled playing own kid on the ice, happy and sweating that there’s not enough water out there surface for younger kids isn’t particu- and improving drastically as opposed to because these kids are exhausted.” N

04 PHOTOS BY USA Hockey Magazine Archives A Special ADM ROUND-UP | HOCKEY DAD

Close To Home USOC High Performance Director And “You see similar things across other sports, like a lower rim in basketball,” Hockey Dad Scott Riewald Has Firsthand he said. “I worked for the U.S. Tennis Association, and during the time I was Experience With ADM Benefits there, they were introducing their 8- and BY RYAN SATKOWIAK 10-and-under tennis players to modified court sizes and balls that bounce to differ- cott Riewald is a big believer in someone you would likely be able to pick ent heights. practicing what he preaches. out of a crowd. At the rink, he’s just like “You have to make some adjustments Working as the high perfor- any other hockey dad. He helps his son get and adaptations to younger kids to allow mance director of winter sports dressed the same as any other parent. And them to get the most out of the opportu- at the U.S. Olympic Committee, he stands along the glass watching his son nity and to get the most out of the sport. SRiewald is also a strong supporter of the play, just like any other parent. They’re not mini adults. The equipment American Development Model. That’s The only difference is in his head; his and playing surface modifications are spot- because he has seen firsthand how the ADM extensive background in sports science on for what I think you’re trying to accom- has helped his 10-year-old son Maddox allows him to view the game from a dif- plish with young athletes.” N develop his skills and passion for the game. ferent perspective. This fall, his 8-year-old daughter Callie “I think [the ADM] captures a lot of the will follow suit by joining a Mite pro- principles that we hold to be cornerstones Scott Riewald and his children, Maddox, 10, gram within the Colorado Springs Amateur of what’s important in an athlete’s develop- and Callie, 8, have added hockey to their busy lifestyles. Hockey Association, one of 11 ADM Model ment,” Riewald said. Programs. “It’s based around fun, and then using Among the core principles of the ADM is that fun to open the door for skills and play. avoiding early specialization; that is, making We thought it was one of the best, if not the sure kids play a variety of sports. Riewald best, youth developmentally appropriate makes sure Maddox gets that variety, and and organized programs that we’ve seen.” then some. Within the past 18 months, What makes the ADM so success- Riewald said his son has also participated in ful, Riewald said, is the way it keeps kids baseball, swimming, judo and soccer. engaged. Instead of standing in line waiting “We try to live by what we believe,” said for their turn in the next drill, the station- Riewald, who was a decorated swimmer at based practices keep kids moving. Boston University. “I think you see a lot “There’s not a lot of standing around, of effort in youth sports for athletes and and I think that’s always a good thing to families to make a commitment earlier and see as a parent,” Riewald said. “They’re earlier in their development. I think there’s engaged, they’re active and they’re getting a lot of research, and you can look at … a lot feedback from the coaches. It’s my overall of the best athletes who had a multi-sport feeling that it’s a well-organized program.” experience when they were younger.” Part of the criticism of the ADM at It’s something that Riewald sees at the the younger levels has been that cross-ice USOC, where he collaborates with the gov- hockey does not look like “real hockey” erning bodies of winter sports to support the from the stands. From his perspective, athletes who will potentially represent the Riewald points to other sports where the USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. playing dimensions have been scaled to age- Even with his background, he’s not appropriate proportions.

“IT’S BASED AROUND FUN, AND THEN USING THAT FUN TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR SKILLS AND PLAY.” ­

05 A Special ADM ROUND-UP | SMALL AREAS, BIG GAMES

Small Games, Big Results Coaches At The Highest Levels Sing The Praises Of Shrinking The Rink | BY HARRY THOMPSON

on Granato can still remem- don’t win games. Skills win games.” need to create something in a game setting, ber the first time he was What makes small games both fun and especially something where there’s competi- exposed to small area games. beneficial is that every player is never far tion. Players like that,” said Mark Johnson, It was in the basement of the from the action. They replicate “game- who incorporated small area games into the family’s Downers Grove, like” conditions, where players are under 2010 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team prac- DIll., home, where he and brothers Tony constant pressure to make a play with the tices leading up to Vancouver. and Rob, along with baby sister Cammi, puck in an environment that limits time “These kids are competitive and they want would wage heated hockey battles in and space. to win, so if you set something up like that confined spaces. Sometimes the action can get heated, you’re going to get a pretty good intensity.” “Sometimes it would get too rough and even among teammates, when players are All facets of the game can be taught and Cammi would start to cry,” he recalled. “We constantly battling for the puck while hav- emphasized through small area games. A had to act quick to get her to quit crying or ing a lot of fun. young player can learn offensive or defen- Mom would stop the game.” “Players and teams tend to get tired of sive concepts, technical or tactical skills. Years later, Granato can still appreciate doing drills and the repetitiveness of it. You It is left to the coach to emphasize and the value of small area games in his role of implement various conditions to achieve the U.S. National Development Coach at the desired results. National Team Development Program. And Like Granato, Danton Cole brought a while the ice surface may be slightly larger wealth of playing and coaching experience than the family basement, it is still a fraction to the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube. After of the vast expanse of a full sheet of ice. a long and distinguished playing career, “We work with high-end athletes, and Cole went on to coach at the college ranks we dedicate half to three-quarters of our before taking the position of U.S. National practices to small area games,” Granato said. Development Coach. “You kill yourself with systems. Systems “Even though we’re working with a high talent level at the NTDP, what we see are real deficiencies in our players’ hockey sense,” Cole said. “We spend a lot of time trying to teach that, and the best way we’ve found is through small area games. “For teaching hockey sense and skill development there’s nothing better.” Whether it’s Johnson’s pre-Olympic practices or Rand Pecknold’s Quinnipiac Bobcats playing small area games the day before the NCAA title game, coaches at all levels use small area games throughout the season to work on individual skills and team tactics in a fun and competitive environment. “Almost everything we do we try to shrink the area to put our guys in tight, con- fined spaces and take away time and space,” Pecknold said. “Because that’s what really happens in games.” N

06 PHOTOS BY NTDP; Harry Thompson A Special ADM ROUND-UP | JAKE GARDINER

Multi-Sport Kid Hits The Big Time Jake Gardiner On The NHL Fast Track 12 Years After Gracing The Cover Of USA Hockey Magazine | BY HARRY THOMPSON

he cover of the September “Playing differ- 2001 issue of American ent sports helps Hockey Magazine, the pre- with different decessor to USA Hockey things, like hand- Magazine, featured a smiling eye coordination T11-year-old boy decked out in half hockey with golf and soc- gear, half swim wear, complete with mask, cer helped with snorkel and swim fins. conditioning,” he He became the poster child for the said. “You always try benefits of taking the summer off to play to stay active when other sports and enjoy the warm weather you’re younger. before the long hockey season and school Who knows what year cranked up again. sport is going to work Who could have known at the time out for you, so you that handsome pre-teen would go on to should try them all.” play on the 2010 gold-medal winning Growing up on U.S. National Junior Team, and eventu- the banks of idyllic Lake Minnetonka, Jake Gardiner is ally with one of the NHL’s most storied Gardiner was encouraged by his parents, an up-and-coming franchises. John and Jill, to be active and play mul- defenseman with Fast forward 12 years and Jake tiple sports. Dad would spend winters the , and is Gardiner still enjoys taking time off in the carving out a swath of ice to create a small looking to gain a summer months to spend time on Lake rink where Gardiner and his brother Max, spot on the 2014 Minnetonka and hit the links at some of a junior at Penn State University, would U.S. Olympic Team. Minnesota’s finest golf courses. It’s a break spend hours in the winter waging heated from hockey that still keeps Gardiner battles with neighborhood friends. physically and mentally sharp as he pre- Those pick up games helped him devel- youngster who looked up to older players. pares for his fourth season in pro hockey. op the poise with the puck that is para- That’s why he tries to give back to the “Like most guys, I took three weeks mount when opposing forecheckers come community by talking to kids who want to off this summer and then started training bearing down on you. know how to get to that next level. hard. As training camp gets closer I’ll get “We were out there almost every “It’s nice to tell them your story, wheth- after it even harder,” said Gardiner, one day playing 3-on-3 or 4-on-4,” he said. er it’s school or hockey or a different of the cornerstones of the Toronto Maple “That’s what makes hockey fun. You get sport, a lot of it correlates with each Leafs youth movement. really competitive, but at the same time other,” he said. Golf is one of the many sports that you’re working on your skills.” And part of that talk deals with play- Gardiner played growing up, along with Gardiner attributes that upbringing for ing multiple sports and having fun in the soccer, baseball and even football. Each of his dynamic skating skills, which have led summer. Hockey has always been and will those sports contributed to the athleticism to comparisons to Hall of Fame defense- always be a big part of Gardiner’s life. But he now displays on the ice. man Scott Niedermayer and has Maple there is always more to life that just hockey. Leafs fans excited for the future. “It’s important to do more than one Even though he’s made it to the pin- thing,” he said. “You might get sick of it or nacle of his sport, Gardiner remembers it might not work out, so it’s good to keep what it was like to be that wide-eyed your options open and stay open minded.” N THREE-TIME U.S. OLYMPIAN JULIE CHU TALKS ABOUT PLAYING MULTIPLE SPORTS AT ADMKIDS.COM 07 A Special ADM ROUND-UP | QUOTABLES

Those Who Know, Really Know Players And Coaches At The Highest Levels Of “The more research I do into long-term athletic development, which could just The Game Voice Their Support For The ADM as appropriately be thought of as ’the road map to developing world-class athletes/hockey players,’ the more I ince its inception in 2009, the American Development Model has gained a continue to find other sources with no legion of loyal supporters. From moms and dads who have seen firsthand the allegiance to USA Hockey providing improvement in their own children, to grassroots coaches who incorporated information that validates their ADM.” small area games and station-based practices into their practice plans, to college —Kevin Neeld, director of Athletic coaches and former NHL players who have discovered a better way to train Development for Endeavor Sports Sthe next generation of American players, the ADM is changing the culture of the game. Performance Here’s some of what they have to say: “It is great to see that USA Hockey and MAHA have the best interests of “If you bring 100 elite hockey “We support the ADM, developing young players in mind. I grew people in the United States we want to be involved in up in a system where playing games into a room and say, ‘Do you the ADM. We feel like it’s in limited spaces defined how we were like the ADM?’ 98 of them are becoming a great new world taught the game. There is no doubt that it going to say it’s great. Anyone for youth and parents in played a big role in developing my skills who really knows what’s going American hockey, and we can and abilities as a player.” on with the game of hockey only see this kind of player —Henrik Zetterberg, and coach development as a right now wants the ADM.” —Rand Pecknold, head coach at benefit for everyone.” Quinnipiac University and hockey dad —Shannon Basler, hockey mom “I’d like to see a program that provides an “Without question, in 10 years time you’re going to see a whole environment for kids to different USA Hockey system right from the ground up. The work reach their potential as that the ADM guys have done up to this point is really unbelievable, a hockey player. You realize that they’re the people that they’ve reached, the organizations that have bought not all going to the NHL, they’re not all into the system and we’re already seeing the benefits of it. You go going to play in college, but every kid watch any Squirt or Peewee or Bantam practice going on and you that comes to a program has the right to can see the development taking place right before your eyes. I think reach his or her potential, whether that’s it’s definitely a sign of things to come for USA Hockey.” Peewee hockey, high school hockey, —Bob Corkum, former NHL player, college coach and hockey dad college hockey or pro hockey. If they’re willing to put the time in, we should provide them with the environment to “Having coached now for two years in two different states, New York and help them get where they want to go. If Connecticut, I think it’s an absolutely perfect model for Mites. And the they have good experiences and enjoy cross-ice hockey is fantastic for every single Mite, whether it’s a mature coming to the rink every day then I feel big Mite who can skate and shoot, almost like a Squirt, or a beginner that we’ve done our jobs.” Mite who might be smaller and has trouble getting up and down the ice.” —Scott Fusco, Hobey Baker winner, U.S. —, former NHL player, three-time U.S. Olympian and hockey Olympian and hockey dad dad and coach

“I think some parents don’t understand that [the ADM] is the “Most kids take time to develop, and best thing for their kids because they’re on the ice more, they you have to give them that time to actually get to play with the puck a little bit more. You know develop, which is what Connecticut that if there’s a really good player on one team, he or she Hockey and [USA] Hockey have done generally dominates and no one else really gets to get involved. phenomenally well. That pyramid So I think some of the changes that USA Hockey has been doing will always be there; the cream will with the ADM and some of these other things always rise to the top. But make the base bigger. And are a great improvement to the learning and how do you do that? You have fun. If this game is not teaching of hockey.” fun, why would any kid in his right mind play?” —Cam Neely, president of the , —Mike Richter, former NHL star, two-time U.S. former NHL player, inductee Olympian, member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and hockey dad and hockey dad

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