Hockey Handbook Presented by

NEVER STOP

IMPROVING

We’ve been in the game from the very start. Since arriving in Canada in 2007, Lowe’s has been committed to supporting minor hockey and making the game more accessible for youth of all ages. As part of our commitment, we’re providing ice time and uniforms for 230 minor hockey teams across the communities we serve. Teaming up with Hockey Canada, Lowe’s is also working to help refurbish community rinks in need of improvement. Now, Lowe’s is proud to offer this special Hockey Handbook. In the following pages, young players can learn how to build their own at-home practice tools. Developed in conjunction with Hockey Canada, these tools incorporate the best skills and drills right from the pros! From all of us at Lowe’s, keep shooting for your goals!

Our goal is to help rebuild the infrastructure of hockey in Canada.

In partnership with Hockey Canada, Lowe’s has created the “Community Rink Reno” program. This initiative is aimed at rebuilding the infrastructure of hockey in Canada one rink at a time by refurbishing community ice rinks in dire need of repair. Established in 2010, Lowe’s Rink Reno is committed to refurbishing two rinks per year through a $50,000 donation per rink. Hockey Canada, with its deep connection to grassroots hockey and dedication to growing Canada’s game, will work closely with Lowe’s to identify community rinks that need refurbishing. With our extensive product offering, variety of vendor partners and dedicated employees, Lowe’s is in a unique position to help update these rinks. In addition to the grant money, donations from our vendor partners, along with volunteer hours from members of the community and Lowe’s employees, will significantly increase Lowe’s financial investment.

PROJECT

Puck Control Triangle Here’s what you’ll need from Lowe’s: 2” 90-Degree Sweep Elbow (Qty. 6) Short Tee – 2” (Qty. 1) 10’ PVC piping (Qty. 1) PVC Glue Tape Measure Kobalt Bow/Hack Saw

Part A Part C Part B Part B

Part A

Part B

Drill 1 - Stationary Stickhandling

Part A

Step 1: Cut the 10’ PVC pipe into the following sizes: 8” (qty. 5) Part A | 16” (qty. 3) Part B | 20” (qty. 1) Part C Measure and cut your PVC pipe using a Kobalt hacksaw

The Interactive Attack Triangle is designed to challenge players by replicating the positioning of an opponent’s skates and stick. With the open “lane” between the simulated skates and extending stick, the Attack Triangle forces players to develop puck movement skills, stick handling ability and an understanding of passing lanes. By using the Attack Triangle at home or in replacement of ordinary cones at practice, players naturally start working on more creative “moves”. In addition to providing more interaction than cones during practice on ice, the Attack triangle comes equipped with mooring pins which virtually eliminate sliding. The Attack Triangle just begs to get beat! Are you up to the challenge?

Part A

Step 2: Clean the ends of your PVC pipe. Use a utility knife to scrape away any burrs of plastic hanging onto the cut end of the pipe and use 100 grit sandpaper on the end of your pipe as well as inside the fitting to clean and slightly roughen the plastic anywhere a connection will be made. Step 3: Assemble your fittings and your pipe as indicated in the diagram below and double check your measurements. Make certain that everything fits and looks the way you expected it to look. Disassemble everything. Step 4: Open the can of PVC glue. Again, an applicator will be attached to the inside of the can’s lid. Rub the glue liberally on both the end of the pipe and inside the joint over the same areas that you rubbed the primer. Quickly, before the glue dries, push the pipe and the joint together until you feel them seat properly as outlined in the diagram above and then give the pipe a 1/4 turn. This turn helps spread the glue evenly and also helps in the drying process. Allow the joint to dry for several minutes, as per the glue manufacturer’s directions.

• Player stands still facing the triangle with the feet stationary moving the ball in and out between the stick and legs of the triangle. • Keep knees bent and feet wide for greater range of motion.

Drill 2 - Moving stickhandling • Player moves around the triangle in either direction while stickhandling the ball in and out of the legs and stick. • Change directions and pick up speed as you go – keep knees bent and feet wide apart for greater hand speed and mobility.

PROJECT

STICK HANDLING PVC KIT Here’s what you’ll need from Lowe’s: 2” 90-Degree Sweep Elbow (Qty. 3) Short Tee – 2” (Qty. 1) Part B 10’ PVC piping (Qty. 1) Pipe end caps 3 PVC Glue Tape Measure Part A Kobalt Bow/Hack Saw

Part A

Part C

The Stick Handling PVC Kit helps hockey players improve their stick handling skills off the ice. Arrange the three sections of the PVC into customer stick handling configurations. Use the stick handling PVC kit as a hockey saucer pass aid, over-under bar and figure 8 hockey training tool.

Drill 1 - Ball Flip • Player passes ball under obstacle, then flips it over the obstacle going back the other way.

Part A

Step 1: Cut the 10’ PVC pipe into the following sizes: 8” (qty. 3) Part A | 12” (qty. 2) Part B | 24” (qty. 1) Part C Measure and cut your PVC pipe using a Kobalt hacksaw Step 2: Clean the ends of your PVC pipe. Use a utility knife to scrape away any burrs of plastic hanging onto the cut end of the pipe and use 100 grit sandpaper on the end of your pipe as well as inside the fitting to clean and slightly roughen the plastic anywhere a connection will be made. Step 3: Assemble your fittings and your pipe as indicated in the diagram below and double check your measurements. Make certain that everything fits and looks the way you expected it to look. Disassemble everything. Step 4: Open the can of PVC glue. Again, an applicator will be attached to the inside of the can’s lid. Rub the glue liberally on both the end of the pipe and inside the joint over the same areas that you rubbed the primer. Quickly, before the glue dries, push the pipe and the joint together until you feel them seat properly as outlined in the diagram above and then give the pipe a 1/4 turn. This turn helps spread the glue evenly and also helps in the drying process. Allow the joint to dry for several minutes, as per the glue manufacturer’s directions.

• Player can move around the obstacle continuously passing the ball under one portion then flipping it back over the obstacle the other way while moving.

Drill 2 - Obstacle Jump and Pass • Player jumps over obstacle, while passing the ball underneath the bar. • Continuous jumping over obstacle while passing the ball under the bar at the same time.

Drill 1 - Foot Work Drills include: • Hopscotch • High step – forward and sideways • Quick feet • In and out • Crossover – forward • Crossover – backward • Snake

PROJECT

Tape Ladder Creating a tape ladder on the floor gives players the opportunity to execute an unlimited number of footwork patterns. Virtually any footwork exercise can be practiced on the ladder in varying combinations to increase foot speed, agility, leg strength, and balance. Here’s what you’ll need from Lowe’s: Painters Tape | Duct Tape

• Slalom • 1-foot hop • 2-foot hop

Drill 2 - Tape Ladder Stickhandling • Start with both feet on one side of the tape ladder. Use toe drags to move the ball through each square. • Start with the feet on either side of the tape ladder and move the ball from side to side through each square both forward and backward. • Work towards increasing the speed when doing this drill.

Drill 1 - Ball Control Over Obstacle • Stickhandle the ball between sticks laid out in a fan pattern. • Lift the ball over each stick with the forehand. Then reverse directions, this time using the backhand.

PROJECT

Stickhandling Obstacle Virtually any stickhandling exercise can be practiced by laying out different formations and sticks or broom handles. Here are a couple good drills to build confidence while increasing your stickhandling speed and accuracy. Be creative and create your own layouts by anticipating different on ice scenarios. Have fun and Never Stop Improving. Here’s what you’ll need from Lowe’s: 2” x 2” Top Choice wood sticks or broom handles

Drill 2 - Stutterstep Stickhandle • Place a number of sticks on the floor and execute a few quick stutter steps forward and backward while stickhandling the ball. • Increasing the speed of the steps and accelerating the movement of the ball will help develop agility and coordination.

Hockey Canada could not be more excited to be partnered with a company like Lowe’s, which, since opening its first store in 2007, has committed itself to supporting minor hockey and making the game more accessible to Canadian of all ages. A member of the Hockey Canada family since 2010 when it joined as an international marketing partner, Lowe’s now sponsors more than 200 minor hockey teams nationwide, and has aligned itself with many of Hockey Canada’s goals and objectives. To see the impact Lowe’s has had on the game, look no further than the Community Rink Reno program, which will see the company invest more than $400,000 over the next four years to help refurbish two rinks per year. Hockey is such an integral part of life in Canada, yet a significant number of the community rinks in our country are in very poor condition. Lowe’s commitment is invaluable in ensuring there are suitable facilities to ensure our youth can enjoy Canada’s game. We’re excited to work with Lowe’s not only to grow the game today, but to strengthen it into the future. Sincerely, Bob Nicholson President/CEO Hockey Canada

From refurbishing local rinks to developing at-home skills and drills, Lowe’s has long shown its support to Hockey Canada, and to the growth of hockey at all levels. Now, Lowe’s is letting fans know how to build inexpensive practice tools, made from products available at Lowe’s locations, that, combined with information from Hockey Canada, provide a tremendous resource for improvement on and off the ice. Hockey Canada has long been a world leader in player development, and we’re thrilled to combine our knowledge with Lowe’s ingenuity and passion for the game to help players develop their skills in new and exciting ways. It’s obvious to us that Lowe’s is committed to grassroots hockey through the Community Rink Reno program and individual skill development, and it’s something Hockey Canada is excited to be a part of. Sincerely, Paul Carson Vice-President, Hockey Development Hockey Canada

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