What workouts have actually helped you get faster on the ice?
One of our members (@Derek_Terauds_7) is heading into the offseason with one goal: build explosive speed and extend his ability to finish plays.
What workouts or training habits have actually moved the needle for you when it comes to speed on the ice?
Drop your answer below 👇
Coming from a player’s perspective, the off-season isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about becoming a better athlete overall.
The years I improved the most weren’t when I only trained hockey. They were the summers I mixed everything in. Basketball, golf, tennis—different movements, different timing, different reads. That variety forced my body to adapt in ways straight hockey training never did. I got quicker, more coordinated, and more reactive without even thinking about it.
Even picking up something like cooking helped. Learning a new skill trains your focus, patience, and discipline—things that translate directly back to your game.
A lot of this next generation is locked into just hockey year-round. And yeah, you still need to train—but if you never step outside that bubble, you miss out on developing as a complete athlete.
The biggest jump in my game came when I stopped doing more hockey… and started doing more everything else.
I’m not a strength and conditioning coach, but when I played, I had two summers I noticed speed gains:
The first was when my brothers and I got a trampoline—I was probably 10-11. I was on that thing daily and remain convinced all that jumping strengthend my on ice explosiveness. Of course, this wasn’t by design nor is it a protocol for on-ice speed development. 😂
Fast forward 8ish years and I’m between junior seasons where a friend and I had a workout routine from the Sioux City Musketeers that had us doing a heavy squats and lunges each week. Granted, this was 20 years ago so I’m not suggesting this is or was an optimal routine, but I definitely added significant muscle and speed that summer.
Regardless, I believe you need to take advantage of the offseason to put on muscle that is hard, if not impossible, to add in season. Meaning skate and condition yourself less—particularly in the start of the offseason.
But combine strength gains with a solid stride and you should be off to the races. 💨