LETTER FROM LARRY PEDRIE

  Welcome to YOUNG GUNS, our newest program for young, developing hockey players. I have spent many years working with players of all ages and skill levels. I truly believe one of the greatest deficiencies existing throughout hockey today is an overall lack of skill development. It’s a common, constant complaint from coaches across the spectrum—youth hockey through Division I college and even into the NHL. Coaches and players complain far too much emphasis—especially at the youth level—is focused on team systems. This has resulted in lesser-skilled, more-programmed hockey players.
   I have supported the "more skills, lesser systems" theory for several years now. Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr, among others, have spoken at length about the lack of skill development they see in too many of today’s young hockey players. The players universally admired—Sakic, Forsberg, Yzerman, Fedorov, Naslund, Thornton, Hejduk, Alfredsson, Yagr, and Lemieux to name a few—developed their skills early, and it shows. But there are too many average players who possess average skills. This can change with a re-emphasis on the basic skills of hockey.
   Unfortunately for North American players, the trend toward developing systems and not individual skills continues—to the detriment of our players. A point of evidence is the increase and success in the NHL of the European-trained players. It’s no secret the Europeans are gaining ground in the hockey world, and this success can almost be attributed solely to a greater emphasis on skill development at the youth level. Look at the goals leaders and overall point scoring leaders in today’s NHL —you will see a significant amount of European-trained players in those categories. It is time for the North American hockey player to get back to the skills!!!
   It is my goal to offer YOUNG GUNS as a step in getting back to what should be the primary focus for all of our young players—SKILL DEVELOPMENT.
                    

The YOUNG GUNS camp will be structured as a day camp, offering two on ice sessions, an off ice activity, and lunch provided by the camp. The Mites’ day will begin at 10:00AM and end at 2:30PM, while the Squirts will begin at 11:25AM and end at 4:00PM.

SKATING: Forward & backward stride, edges, crossovers, & pivots
PASSING: Proper grip, blade placement, release, receive, follow through, target
PUCKHANDLING: Proper grip, wrist use, blade placement, head up
SHOOTING: Wrist use, weight transfer, target, follow through continued on back panel

At the camp’s completion each player will have received repeated instruction and drilling repetition, enabling them to understand the mechanics involved in each specific skill, resulting in a more educated and improved hockey player.

DATES
The camp will be offered July 19-23, 2004 at
Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, IL.