Hockey talent must be supported by a solid base of strength and conditioning because complex motor skills, explosive speed and intense physical contact are required to succeed at higher levels of the game.

The game demands large muscle mass and exceptional strength for aggressive body contact, but also a very lean body mass for explosive power, efficient movement, and high-speed agility. A solid base of strength and lean muscle mass supports a player’s physical abilities and technical skills and is a prerequisite to anaerobic conditioning, power, quickness, agility and speed.

Strength assists such skating skills as acceleration, cornering, stopping and starting, pivoting, shooting, and dynamic balance. Conditioning is structured to help the player skate, shoot, pass, check, take one-on-ones, cross-over, play at a higher intensity, go harder for longer into a shift, and recover faster between shifts on the bench.