Practice Like A Pro [Montreal Canadiens Edition]

After the success of our first NHL blog of practice, reference the pro with the Minnesota Wild, let’s break down a practice from the Montreal Canadiens. I was breaking down all the drills and taking footage from one end of the rink. I had a great response on social media from followers asking if I would upload the practice plan on CoachThem; many DMs and emails… well guess what, it’s there now!

 

1. Free Time With the Skill Coach

 

 

Many players love jumping on the ice before practice and ripping pucks. Sometimes, you’ll see coaches on the ice, sometimes not. In this one, we have two players working on changing the angle with their skill coach.

 

2. Activation 4 Players

 

 

That was my favorite drill and afterwards I started using it with my team. Great for the transition with your defenseman and a good pace for your forwards. The execution will dictate the pace of the drill and will allow many players to touch the puck during different aspects of the game.

 

3. Rush 2v3 Working on Puck Placement

 

 

Though I was skeptical, about a week after we started implementing it in our practice. You can easily send two forwards from the red line so that you’ll avoid getting stuck in the corner with both a forward and a defenseman. Anyways, the purpose of the drill is to work on the close cap, D2 retrieving the puck, but most importantly, the puck placement from F1 on the same. It’s a critical factor to work on for your forecheck. At first, you’ll be surprised how many players struggle to place the puck and let it die in the corner. From there, the defensive team must retrieve the puck and breakout.

 

4. Breakout vs Forecheck 1v5 2v5 5v5

 

 

What if I tell you can work your breakout with different pressure and reading? Well, that’s exactly the purpose of this drill. At first, on the breakout, they’ll receive only one forecheck. It should be easy, but again, you must act quickly. After the breakout, two players will forecheck, and again, it’s not a typical forecheck that you see in the game. You can ask them whatever you want. Lastly, it’s a 5v5; you build up your whole breakout for the last part and, hopefully, don’t stay in your dzone.

 

5. OZP vs DZ

 

 

A simple drill, working 5on5 in-zone. What I like about this one is that they start from the corner with an offensive player in the opposite corner. At the whistle, they change the point of attack and begin attacking the net. Notice that the defensive team doesn’t cheat on the change in the point of attack.

 

6. Shootout Competition

 

 

Best way to rate your players and create your list for the upcoming game, while you’re updating your list. Free time, after practice, passing and shooting. Like the start, a lot of players love to stay on the ice after practice to work on some stuff or, again, rip some pucks. This short drill is about shooting without stickhandling and will always be an option.

 

7. Free Time Passing and Shooting

 

 

Same as the start, a lot of players love to stay on the ice after practice to work on some stuff or, again, rip some pucks. This short drill is about shooting without stickhandling and always be an option.

  

8. Tips and 1tee From the Post

 

 

Stopping at the net as the coach shot a puck. From there, you explode on the top of the circle and turn to face the coach. At the same time, you’ll receive a pass, and you must 1tee the puck. It’s a hard drill but so much fun!

 

9. PSD Transition With the Puck in the Air

 

 

PSD means position specific defense. I’ve learned that with some of the best skills coaches in the country. This drill will have a lot of non-successes, but that’s not the most important thing right now. What’s important is working on your eye-hand coordination and feeling comfortable, skating backwards, and trying to tap the puck in the air.

 

I hope you enjoy this practice plan and have a fantastic season!

 

May 4, 2023

 

Blog by CoachThem Contributor, Mitch Giguere (Edited by Kelsey Dold)

Mitch Giguere, ChPC, is the father of four children, a passionate hockey coach currently working at the University of Montreal, and a former KHL Assistant Coach with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mitch has his High Performance 2 from Hockey Canada and has an Advanced Coaching Diploma (NCCP4) from the Canadian Sports Institute. You can follow his popular video breakdown on Social Media for more excellent hockey content.
 

 

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