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The offseason is in full swing! As players await the 2023-24 season, here are five important tips for players to follow so that they can be prepared for the next year on the ice.

1.Don’t be afraid to take a break.

The hockey season is a long one that requires a lot of focus and dedication for much of the year. It’s okay to take some time off after the season ends to rehabilitate and refocus. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and no one should experience burnout from playing a sport they love. Enjoy the warmer weather outside, try a different sport this summer (tip number two!), and be sure to spend time with family and friends.

2. Play a different sport this summer! 

Playing different sports helps to train the body through multiple movement patterns, which will only improve overall body awareness while reducing the chance of injury. Being a multi-sport athlete also reduces the risk of burnout fatigue from a specific sport – see tip number one! There are lots of transferrable skills athletes can learn and carryover from sport-to-sport. Read more on the benefits of being not just a hockey player, but an athlete first.

3. Go rollerblading! 

Going outside and rollerblading is a great way for players to stay in game shape and take advantage of the beautiful summer weather that only sticks around for so long! Rollerblading helps to maintain your skating, balance, and muscle strength during the offseason.

4. Shoot pucks… lots of pucks! 

Practice makes perfect, right? Scoring goals is an important skill that will ultimately help your team win games. Shooting pucks on the driveway, in the garage, or even in the backyard is a great way to continue working on your game. Check out this article from a previous issue of Breakout Magazine to learn how to shoot better with effective weight transfer.

5. Train, train, train! 

The offseason can be an important time to add strength and muscle to your body, in preparation for the upcoming season. Heading into the offseason with a development and/or training plan is key if players at the higher competitive levels want to take the next step in their development as a hockey player. In a previous edition of Breakout Magazine, the GTHL detailed a full body workout for players to utilize in preparation for the hockey season.

Check out the 2023 Summer Breakout Magazine for more stories!