ADM Kids

Q: As the season ends, what should we be doing this spring to continue my child’s development?

A: While the competitive hockey season is nearing its end, the athletic development season never ends, and spring is a time for your child to continue training and improving his or her overall athletic abilities.

At 14U and 16U, this is the time when teens are going through puberty and transforming into young adults. It’s the perfect time to introduce more formalized off-ice training. Improving overall strength, speed and endurance are key components of overall development for teenage players. The off-season is a great time for this type of activity.

Skating in the spring and summer to further one’s hockey development is also a good activity at 14U and 16U, provided the on-ice component of the child's athletic activity is reduced and not the primary focus. Ideally, spring and summer is a time to take a mental and physical break from hockey and continue developing overall athleticism and competitiveness by playing a secondary sport.