By Rick Stephens, Editor-in-Chief, All Habs Hockey Magazine
BROSSARD, QC. — Habs fans are a committed bunch. Who else would forego the warm days of a Montreal summer to retreat to a chilly arena in hopes of getting a glimpse of the Canadiens future stars. It’s also a great opportunity to meet these young men in person and gather autographs.
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But, of course, there’s a serious side to development that includes instruction, drills and evaluation. Day 2 of development camp is typically devoted to on-ice testing of prospects to establish benchmarks for some and evaluate the progression of previous attendees.
The evaluation is under the direction of Canadiens Strength and Conditioning Coach Pierre Allard and is a key step towards the preparation of individualized conditioning programs for the prospects. Separate tests for forwards and defenseman evaluate speed, agility, response-time and endurance.
Allard has contracted with the folks from Sport Testing Inc who use state-of-the-art equipment to gather measurements and prepare a comprehensive database. All Habs Hockey Magazine was invited to interview the representatives of Sport Testing during the 2013 Canadiens training camp. You can read more about the program here: “Montreal Canadiens: Where Do They Stand?”
On-ice testing ends with the dreaded RHIET — Repeated High Intensity Endurance Test. The RHIET is a timed test where players skate the entire length of the ice and back in pairs. They are required to complete the full length of the ice six times with a short break between intervals. Typically, the last two trips are a challenge for players, both physically and mentally.
All Habs Hockey Magazine writer Shana was at Brossard on Monday to report on the action.
Player testing this morning at #Habs development camp. #allhabs RT @ShanaHabs27
Development camp! @All_Habs pic.twitter.com/q4LASPoziO— All Habs (Canadiens) (@AllHabs) July 6, 2015
Prospects also participated in off-ice sessions with the team from Essentrics. It is a full-body workout that “simultaneously lengthens and strengthens every muscle in the body, resulting in greater joint mobility and lean, long muscles.” it is a technique that “works through the muscle chains, liberating and empowering the muscles, relieving them from tension in the process.”
On the program developed for Canadiens prospects, Essentrics Co-founder Sahra Esmonde-White told All Habs Hockey Magazine that “We try to make their stretching sessions effective and fun.”
Mike McCarron
Sven Andrighetto