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University of Massachusets Athletics
Inside The Glass With Troy Power
September 23, 2014 | Hockey
With school rolling and back in full force, the month of September has gone by like a flick of a switch. I don't think too many hockey players and fans are worried about it, because it only means that the season is that much closer. Right now college teams around the nation have began spending limited time on the ice with their coaching staffs and using captain's practices as a way to better prepare for the upcoming year. Our team has been no different. This month of preparation is so vital in order to get off to the hot start everyone wants and expects to achieve. I couldn't be happier with the start that we've had as a group and the way we have built a foundation that I believe will translate to success in the coming months ahead.
In order to achieve such success, our team needs to have a blue-collar work ethic, one that will never be outworked, no matter what the circumstance. To build such a foundation you need to do just that--WORK! The month of September for us has been successful because of the way we've attacked workouts and ice sessions with energy, passion, and enthusiasm. Our schedule has included workouts five days a week with breaks on Wednesday and Sunday, followed by captain's practices four days a week with Wednesday and the weekends off. Our workouts have been very different than they have been in the past due to the new strength and conditioning coaches that were hired this past summer to work with our team. Coach Feek has been assigned to work with the hockey program and has already made improvements with our players in such a short period of time.
Typically workouts will range from 45 to an hour, 15 minutes, and are ran at a very fast pace that helps condition us as we strengthen. As a whole, our workouts involve a lot more movement than they have in the past. We start with a full functional warm-up followed by Plyometrics to warm up our bodies before we lift weights. Not only do we feel stronger, but more mobile and flexible, which is key. All five of our lifts are done in Boyden Gymnasium and start at either 3 p.m. or 6:30 a.m., depending on the day. The Saturday lift occurs at 9 a.m. and is mostly used as a regeneration day to get our bodies back to where they need to be for the next week.
If you are anywhere near Boyden around the times we work out, there's a good chance you can hear the beats from Shane Walsh's IPod that blast through the speakers while we work out. Not only does the music get us going, but also helps keep the mood light and fun because, after all, we're doing what we love to do.
In addition to lifts, captain's practices have gone very well. Our team skates consist of three to four drills as well as a 30-minute scrimmage at the end. The drills chosen are a mixed variety of ones that we will be doing throughout the year. It's a great chance to continue our conditioning and sharpen our skills for the season. In addition to that, it provides an opportunity for younger guys to become accustomed to the drills we will be doing in season, as well as get used to the fast pace of play that we experience in Hockey East.
Walking into the rink this morning it was refreshing to see that the ice was being put down in the Mullins Center. The 8,400 seats sat in a dark and dim setting, while the lights lit up the white, glassy ice. Even empty, the Mullins Center is a thing of beauty, but there is absolutely nothing better than walking out to a sold out crowd. Not many individuals get to see it the way we do and the feeling is so tough to put into words. The shot of adrenaline that rushes through your body is incomparable to anything I have experienced. The summer has officially come to an end. It was a long one filled with continuous weeks of preparation, devotion and hard work. Hard work that is done in a fashion that ensures when the puck drops for your first game, you and your team are ready. I'm excited to say that next week is officially game week. Hope to see you all there on Oct. 4!