Thinking outside the rink on learning
GTHL players may not have games, but they can still develop skills online
You can watch hockey, but you can’t play it.
And unless you’re lucky enough to be near a frozen pond, get an appointment at a city-run outdoor rink or have a backyard rink, you can’t even skate.
COVID-19 and the resulting health protocols have changed a lot in our society. So what is it doing to our love of the game?
“It’s opened our eyes to what should be higher on our priority list,” said Scott Oakman, the executive director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. “Hockey is not less important than it was before. But perspective about what hockey means to people may be adjusted in a positive way.
“Let’s not worry about next season, and where my child is going to play. Let’s enjoy where we are now, whatever team, whatever teammates. Things like that are going to reset as we come out of the pandemic and get back to as close to normal as possible.”
The GTHL, like every other league not named the NHL, has shut down in Ontario. As a result, young hockey players are not getting out. They’re not meeting friends at the rink. They’re not learning about the team aspects of the game.
So what are today’s young hockey players to do? Well, just like many of us are doing with shopping and streaming, they can go online. Hockey Canada and the GTHL have skills development programs available.
“We’re encouraging kids to remain active and physical in a safe way,” Oakman said.
“And pick up those skills development activities that are online.”
One of the newest — virtualhockey.com — comes from veteran NHL defenceman Michael Del Zotto. The Stouffville native is in his 12th season, now with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“With COVID coming on, I was looking for ways to stay sharp, and I came up with this program,” Del Zotto told The Star. “It’s essentially a database for anyone to subscribe to have workouts: 30- to 35- minute workouts.”
He said the youngest participant is three, an the users include some junior players and minor-leaguers. There are warm-ups and stretching sessions, but it’s mostly hockey-related: stickhandling techniques, drills and hockey-like body movement.
“It’s an inexpensive platform ($180 for a year) that helps kids stay fit, stay active from the comfort of their own home,” Del Zotto said. “I found with COVID in Canada these kids are all at home. And parents are having a tough time getting their kids off the couch. They get to compete with me. And with each workout they earn points, and with points they have a chance to win signed memorabilia from their favourite player.”
The favourite player doesn’t have to be Del Zotto. He’s been on eight teams, so he knows people.
The site also keeps standings, challenging the competitive nature in its subscribers.
Oakman wonders if COVID means young players will experience a boon in skills, since that’s the only part of the game they can develop. When they were allowed on the ice in the fall, it was for skills development, not games. And when they come back, the same will likely be true.
“All the kids are in the same boat,” Oakman said. “It’s not like kids in Mississauga can do something kids in Toronto can’t. As peers, they’re experiencing the same challenge.
“But they’ve also been able to focus on individual skill acquisition and development as opposed to having a high priority on game play. There is a probability that we may see some kids progress with some skill development where they wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to do.”
Oakman said he hopes the GTHL will have on-ice action, either training or games, before the hockey season is over.