How to build the best workouts for hockey players
The writer began collaborating with hockey players in 2009 while still in college. What started as a summer internship evolved into a professional practice by 2012. During those early years, many athletes were preteens who would later become clients.
The training approach for hockey players emphasizes a broad mix of exercises and sports. Hockey ranks among the most challenging sports for coordination, so a player must be developed comprehensively across multiple domains.
Programs draw on elements from football, basketball, and tennis. These activities foster different athletic qualities, helping a player become not just a better hockey teammate but a more complete athlete overall.
Currently, two players from the NHL are coached directly: Yegor Chinakhov and Klim Kostin. Both have won the Gagarin Cup and play for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks respectively. Another Russian NHL player also utilizes tailored exercise guidance and adaptation strategies, though the name is not disclosed.
How to mentor 50 professionals simultaneously
Today, a core team of around fifty athletes is supported. About 30 are hockey players competing in the KHL, NHL, or other North American leagues; one tennis player sits at a WTA ranking; alongside them are football players, basketball players, and fighters who compete internationally. The remaining twenty are teenagers and children trained online with personalized programs.
Staying organized requires discipline and consistent business routines. A fixed cadence is known, and while starting the day can be the hardest part, once momentum builds, progress accelerates. It is with genuine enjoyment that the writer reflects on having produced this article.
What is the toughest aspect of guiding Ovechkin at 38?
The coach did not directly train Ovechkin, yet studying his work and the coaching methods shared online provided insight. The primary challenge at this stage is maintaining steady rhythm in training, nutrition, rest, and mental readiness. Consistency remains the cornerstone of successful preparation, even when natural advantages exist.
Consistency is a habit earned over years. Ovechkin demonstrates it by sustaining high performance, with occasional mistakes accepted as part of the process. Sports feature ups and downs, and regular training helps an athlete endure and extend a career. When the body is cared for with careful training and rest, a long, sustained arc becomes possible.
Friends who previously trained with him noted natural talents and physical strength. With ongoing training, diet, and sleep discipline, continued fan support over multiple seasons becomes likely.
How does NHL training differ from KHL training?
There is no fundamental difference in the goals of NHL and KHL preparation, but the season structure and scheduling vary.
Most NHL teams leave players to follow individual plans during the off-season. In the KHL, athletes train solo first, then join team-wide sessions as preparations begin. Physical education coaches in the KHL aim for more customized work, though it is not always feasible.
Head coaches often influence the pace of physical training, which can complicate the process. Clear role boundaries help teams work more efficiently, as proven by established professional standards.
What traits drive hockey success?
The core physical attributes for hockey are coordination, strength, and speed. A coordinated player can control the body and movements; strength supports accurate shots and injury resilience; speed helps reach the puck first and create space. While other qualities matter, these three form a solid foundation.
Trust underpins every coach-athlete relationship across levels, from youth to the pros. Building a bond with the player clarifies training goals and the path to reach them. When trust exists, feedback and problem-solving flow more easily.
With that foundation, the training process becomes productive, and athletes feel empowered to engage and grow.
Training hockey players during a pandemic
During quarantine, many athletes stayed engaged, though challenges remained. Roughly 70 players from the MHL and North American leagues faced restrictions, alongside about 50 younger athletes in training. The situation varied by individual circumstances.
Each athlete arrived with distinct training histories and current conditions. The period brought psychological strain, as movement restrictions persisted. To counteract this, training sessions became more interactive, incorporating games and competitive tasks to sustain engagement.
That shift helped athletes manage the load better, though the overall demand remained high.
Starting collaboration with players connected to a renowned agent
During difficult times, many athletes connected with the writer through Dan Milstein, whom hockey player Nikita Zaitsev introduced in 2018 after a chance meeting on the ice. The two exchanged numbers and began training shortly after.
Zaitsev remains a key mentor, one of the most impactful figures encountered in the coach’s career. The writer has also connected with veteran pros whom the sport has long honored for decades.
The journey began professionally in 2016, at a time when many stars did not seek coaching online. Zaitsev stands out for his ongoing search for new preparation methods and remarkable work ethic. He is consistently focused on training and willing to endure tough sessions.
How does hockey coaching differ from coaching other athletes?
The principal distinction lies in understanding movement mechanics and the most vulnerable joints. A WTA-ranked tennis player near the top 130 has knee, back, and shoulder concerns that shape programming. A Russian Super League-1 basketball player spotlights changes of direction and jumping.
Talent matters, but dedication and hard work drive results. A common view is that 10 percent comes from talent while 90 percent comes from discipline, practice, and game understanding. The emphasis on technique and strategic development ultimately determines outcomes, sometimes independent of talent alone.
Working with foreign athletes
Three foreign athletes trained with the writer, all fluent in Russian but raised primarily in the United States or Canada. They push hard in workouts while balancing life beyond sports. Cognitive balance matters; after intense sessions, the mental switch to daily life is essential to continued growth.
Discipline in training coupled with proper rest and recovery drives progress. High performers know when to push, and equally when to pause and reset.
Examples from elite players illustrate a broader principle: training effort should be paired with rest and a clear separation between work and recovery zones. With that balance, progress is achievable.
Why does a certain London-based player regard the coach as outstanding?
The writer values the relationship built with Vasya, much like the influence Tim Grover had on Michael Jordan or Gary Roberts on McDavid. The claim here reflects a long-standing collaboration spanning from junior leagues to the NHL. The trust established through shared experiences and consistent support has shaped ongoing growth and success.
What defines a great coach is not only knowledge but the ability to translate it into tangible performance gains and improved well-being for the athlete.