Off-Ice Challenge

Congrats to Gabriel Vijuk - Winner of the Express Off Ice Challenge!!

Gabriel will receive $100 off his fall season fees. Thank you to everyone who participated and registered for the raffle!

Welcome to the Express Hockey Off Ice Challenge!

Time off the ice does not have to be time away from training! This site is a resource for parents and players who are looking to keep their edge during the Shelter in Place shutdown.

Check back frequently for videos, links, and tips from Express coaches and other professionals.

Unique Opportunity from the Chicago Steel

Good Morning Hockey Community:

I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. We are thinking of you during these challenging times.

Today, the Chicago Steel will be announcing an exciting new initiative which we are calling our “Fan Connection Series.” This will include a series of webinars aimed at various audiences, with six webinars designed specifically for youth hockey players, parents and coaches. The first two of these will be released next week and were recorded with USA Hockey leadership as a collaboration.

I wanted to make you aware of the six-part series. All webinars are free and will be available both live and on demand. As a thank you to all of our fans and those that participate, we are offering a complimentary ticket to a 2020-2021 Steel game simply for registering for any of the webinars.

Registration will be active for all webinars here: https://www.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com/fanconnection

Chicago Steel

Steel Fan Connection Series

Steel Fan Connection Series Schedule

NHL Future Goals

With many school districts and parents utilizing remote learning plans, we are offering teachers and parents free, remote access to our Future Goals program. Future Goals includes two online resources: Hockey Scholar – an interactive hockey-themed STEM curriculum for middle-school and elementary-school-aged students and Healthier Me – a program that provides elementary-school-aged students the tools they need to make healthy decisions.

Express Off Ice Challenge Ideas

- Running / Rollerblading

- Sprints

- Agility (cones, ladder, etc)

- Squats / Lunges

- Pushups, Pullups, Crunches

- Video Study (YouTube, LiveBarn)

- Stickhandling with Ball/Puck

- Shooting

- Yoga

- Soccer ball juggling

Off Ice Challenge Registration

Once you have completed 10 hours of off-ice training, click this link to register for the Off Ice Challenge Raffle! Express Hockey is giving away a voucher for $100 off fall hockey fees! Applicable for Northern Express, Jr. Express, Park Ridge Hornets, and Oakton LTPH Classes.

Links and Information

Start here to see what resources are available!

USA Hockey - Train at Home

Hockey Shot - Off Ice Equipment

Online retailer with a large selection of off ice training equipment.

Ice Hockey Systems - Off Ice

Great off ice drill ideas from the Ice Hockey Systems database.

Coach Lopez Stickhandling

"Highly Recommended!" - Jon Lopez (Express Head Coach and Skills Instructor)

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Express Coaches' Corner:

Some quick tips and advice from our coaching staff and other professionals!

Quick Starts - It is impossible to have quick starts on the ice if you can't execute them off the ice! Spend time working on sprints and change of direction footwork drills on the grass. Then, be sure to progress to doing starts using hockey mechanics. V-starts, side starts, and backward starts are all able to be practiced on dry land.

Jordan Mann (Express Head Coach and Power Skating Instructor)

Injury Prevention:

Be ready to return to the ice at game speed - safe and healthy!

"Injuries occur when there is a disproportionate increase in activity. To prevent against injury when you return to the ice, stay as active as possible during your down time. This does not have to be sport specific movement! Now is a great time to cross-train your other athletic skills. Just keep moving!"

- Dr. Megan Hyatt PT, DPT