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Many parents can relate to the times spent in cold arenas, watching their son or daughter through early morning hockey practice. It is a sport that requires a particular type of dedication on and off the ice. The game of hockey requires athletes to not only apply skilled mechanics but also to harness and maintain a high-level of strength and stamina. Much of an athlete’s conditioning occurs off the ice. Enter HockeyOT.

Developed by Dr. Chad Moreau, HockeyOT.com is a web-based training platform that allows members to access their training schedule online. To date, HockeyOT has members on several continents including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The distinct technical advantage of HockeyOT’s platform is the Routine Generator. The Routine Generator is built on a proprietary back-end platform designed specifically and exclusively for use on HockeyOT.com.

The site provides proven and effective dry-land training routines for both male and female hockey players of all ages and skill levels. Dr. Moreau is a graduate of Southern California University of Health Sciences, where his studies focused on human biomechanics as it relates to sports. He also attained a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialty in 1998 and has been providing off-ice training for hockey players since then. Dr. Moreau has worked with hockey players from youth to professional players and Olympic champions. Dr. Moreau has also served as the Strength & Conditioning/ Nutrition Consultant for the Edmonton Oilers (2005-2009) and the Long Beach Ice Dogs (2001-2006). Drawing upon his extensive background in biomechanics of hockey, Dr. Moreau developed HockeyOT.com, of which he is currently the acting president. It is a hockey-specific off-ice training website, offering affordably priced workouts that can be completed in a home or gym.

HockeyOT.com provides hockey-specific training guidelines and personalized training programs using Routine Generator™, a one-of-a-kind program powered by a sophisticated series of algorithms. “Routine Generator™ produces personalized training programs for every member based upon age, weight, level of play, past training experience, position, gender, stated goals, as well as access to certain pieces of training equipment. This unique program enables HockeyOT.com to generate customizable workouts for both in and off season regiments, accommodating differing schedules based on a the season which a player finds themselves training in. Routine Generator™ also provides athletes with a sports nutrition menu builder program that provides an excellent complement to our workout programs.

Another important element that allows HockeyOT to catapult to the forefront of online training tools is the extensive video library of exercise routines and demonstrations available to its members. While the degree of complexity in HockeyOT’s training routines varies based on each members’ profile, the ability to watch a video featuring an expert perform a specific exercise using the appropriate technique is helpful for any member regardless of their skill or experience. There are currently over 350 videos within the member area of HockeyOT. In addition, when members are registered as part of a team format their coaches are given dashboard access to review and compare each individual team members’ results.

HockeyOT.com is in the process of developing a smart phone application which eventually will make it even easier for members to access training schedules and input data Online training sites displaying workout methodologies are fast becoming the alternative to in-person fitness options. They are structured and are flexible, allowing the athlete to customize the workout not only to their skillset, but also their physical surroundings. HockeyOT’s hockey-centered testing sequence further exemplifies this adaptability and allows the athlete to have a custom-generated routine.

But the most crucial evidence of HockeyOT’s success can be found in athletes that have benefited from it at the highest levels. One example of this is that of professional hockey player, Shawn Horcoff. In his first year training with the HockeyOT system, Horcoff had a career year in 2005-6 with 73 points and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals (19 points in 24 playoff games). Shawn now serves as the captain of the Edmonton Oilers (which means that the Oilers have been captained by HockeyOT.com members since 2007). Ethan Moreau, who has played 15 years in the NHL, also credits his longevity to he HockeyOT training program. Yet the benefits of using HockeyOT.com, extends to youth athletes as well. Michael Mazzitelli started training 1 year ago with HockeyOT. Michael has been playing for the last 7 years and prior to training with HockeyOT has missed at least one game every season due to injury. After training with HockeyOT last summer and continuing his training during the 2010-11 season, Michael played his first full season without missing any games and maintained perfect physical health during the season. The HockeyOT team hopes to continue adding more options for younger athletes.

HockeyOT are currently in the process of creating an introductory program for younger athletes ages 8-10. With the recent release of the Coach’s Dashboard feature, HockeyOT will enable a coach to track his/her team’s training progress and schedule. For next season, the product with provide coaches the ability to influence each player’s training programs by adding an in-season “team training” function. HockeyOT.com are currently in the process of developing a mobile application with a scheduled release in 2011.