Boys – Ice Works Academy
What is Ice Works Academy? This 8-week program is unlike any other hockey training system in the United States! Ice Works Academy is designed for the high caliber hockey player that has the drive, ambition and determination to become one the best players at their age level, period! Ice Works Academy only accepts 17 players at each age level! The Academy consists of two main opponents, individual training and team training. All 17 players at each age level will develop into a highly competitive “Showcase” team that will compete in 3-5 hockey tournaments throughout the Northeast. This 8-week training program starts in the spring and ends in the late summer. Starting in May, players will undergo intensive dryland training (2X week) throughout the summer to help develop each player into becoming a stronger, faster and more powerful skater on the ice. Additionally, players will go through 8 weeks of on-ice skill development, working on their individual hockey skills, with a strong emphasis on their skating. On Thursday evenings, following their dryland training, players will take the ice as a team and will working on all aspects of the game, preparing as a team for their next showcase tournament. The Ice Works Academy 8-week training program will be a challenging but rewarding experience for those dedicated hockey players that want to be the best!
Dryland Training at The Academy
Wednesday & Sunday Nights:
Location – Worcester, MA
Off-ice training is one of the most essential opponents to the total development of a hockey player. Ice hockey is an explosive and intensive sport that requires the use of complex motor skills. Along with these skills, the demands of the game require a player to be in exceptional physical shape. During the players 8-week training session at the Academy players will improve their strength, power, agility, endurance, and quickness. Each dryland training session will include sprint intervals, plyometrics, agility courses, resistant and explosiveness training. Players will only the use newest training equipment and techniques to achieve these results. Medicine balls, bungee cords, parachutes, breakaway belts, skating machines and professional slide boards are just a few of the training devices used in our program.
On-Ice Skill Training at The Academy
Friday Evenings
During the players 8-weeks training program at the Academy, all players will go through weekly on-ice skill development using the Ice Works “3S” on ice curriculum; skating, stickhandling, and shooting! These skills sessions will be conducted by the Ice Works coaching staff and tournament coaches will not be present during these clinics.
Power Skating
The first section of every skill session will focus on power skating, developing a more powerful and explosive stride is essential in the development of any great hockey player. Players will become stronger and more fluent forwards and backwards skaters during this training. Players will also work on improving their breakaway speed coming out of various starts. Additionally, players will develop great explosiveness out during tight turns, making them a more dynamic player.
Stickhandling
The second section will focus on mastering stickhandling maneuvers, teaching the players the proper wrist movements, and hand extensions while stick-handling with their heads up! Players will also work on puck protection, various deke moves as well as their passing and receiving skills. Training devices such as the “Speed Deke Trainer”, “Attack Triangles”, “Extreme Dangler Pro” and the “Give-n-Go” passer will be used to challenge the players during this stage.
Shooting
The third section focuses on mastering a player’s shot! Each player will be analyzed on their current shooting form the staff at Ice Works will gradually address the players weaknesses in a progressive, step by step approach that will make it easy for them to master the fundamentals of shooting. Proper weight transformation, hand placement, shoulder alignment and puck positioning are some of the essential components that we will be working on a regular basis.
Team Practices at The Academy
Wednesday or Thursday Evenings
The Thursday evening prior to a showcase tournament players will assemble with their teammates and will prepare for their upcoming tournament. These full ice practices will be conducted by the Collegiate or Prep School hockey coach that has been assigned to them and will consist of high tempo flow drills that will reinforce many of the hockey concepts that have been introduced during their Tuesday nights skill sessions. Players will also work on many different types of forechecks (Offensive & Neutral zone) that they can utilize against their upcoming competition. Various types of powerplays and penalty killing schemes will also be implemented and executed as well. All these practices will we require the players to think, react and engage at quick reaction times, making them better prepared during real life game situations.
2023 BOYS – ICE WORKS ACADEMY COACHES
Larry Rocha, Head Coach, St. Anslem College
Ice Works is excited to announce that Larry Rocha will be guiding the 2008 Ice Works Boys Academy team this spring. Larry is the currently in his 5th season as the head hockey coach at St. Anslem College. In 1979 Coach Rocha began his brilliant coaching career as an assistant coach at Penn State University. Coach Rocha was eventually promoted to head coach where he guided the Nittany Lions to the 1984 ACHA National Championship. Larry eventually brought his coaching talents to the prep school ranks, coaching at the Hotchkiss School (1985-87), Lawrence Academy (1987-88), Brooks School (1988-96) and Berkshire School (1996-03). At Berkshire, Larry led the Bears to a league title in 2001 and was voted the Coach of the Year. In 2013 Larry was hired as an assistant hockey coach at St. Anslem College and was promoted to head coach in 2018. Over the past 10 years, Larry has helped lead the Hawks to two NE10 championships, and a conference title in 2017-18. Coach Rocha is one of 12 Coaches in Chief for USA Hockey and is currently the Director of Education for all youth hockey coaches in the New England District.
Kevin Czepiel, Head Coach, The Berkshire School Boys Varsity Hockey
Coach Czepiel was recently hired as the new Head Coach of the Boys Hockey program at The Berkshire School for the 2023-24 season. Prior to Berkshire, Kevin was the Head Coach at The Northfield Mount Hermon School from 2016-2023. Kevin was also a graduate and a former hockey player at NMH which helped launch his four-year hockey career at the University of Massachusetts. Kevin was recruited back to his alma mater (NMH) to bring the program back to prominence. Within two years of Coach Czepiel stepping behind the bench, NMH earned the No. 1 seed in the NEPSAC Large School postseason tournament. The following year, NMH was in the Elite 8. For his accomplishments, Kevin was named the Prep School Coach of the Year in 2019. Recently, coach Czepiel registered his 100th victory and NMH continues to be one of the top teams in NEPSAC. Kevin will bring his excellent coaching skills and winning mentality to the Ice Works 2009 Boys Academy team this summer.
Robbie Barker, Head Coach, Lawrence Academy Boys Varsity Hockey
Coach Barker currently serves as the Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Hockey program at Lawrence Academy and has been working at Lawrence Academy since 2012 both as a coach and a professor in English. Under Coach Barker’s tenure as Head Coach at LA, the Spartans have been one of the top teams in NEPSAC. Over the years Lawrence Academy has produced NHL players such as Ted Crowley, Steve Heinze, David Jensen and Jim Campbell to just name a few. Coach Barker played collegiately at the University of New Hampshire as a defenseman for the UNH Wildcats. After UNH, Robbie played a season in the East Coast Hockey League for the Dayton Bombers club before moving on to coaching. Robbie brings his strong experience and passion for the game to the Ice Works 2010 Boys team this summer.
Highlights of the Academy:
- 8 – Weekly on-ice skill sessions
- Full ice practices practices prior to every tournament
- 16 – Dryland training sessions (2x week)
A Minimum of 3 Tournaments throughout the 8 weeks!
All players will be issued
- Game & Practice Jersey’s
- Game Socks
- Game Shells
Tournaments:
Tournaments:
CCM Blue Chip Invite (MA & RI Rinks)
May 19-21 (2008, 2009 & 2010)
Blue Line Prep Cup (Hudson, NH)
June 16 -18 (2008, 2009, 2010)
Mini Junior Chowder Cup (Foxboro, Canton, Braintree & Attleboro)
July 14, 15 & 16 (2009 & 2010 Only)
Junior Chowder Cup (Foxboro, Canton, Braintree & Attleboro)
July 27 – 30 (2008 Only)
2023 SCHEDULE
NEW dates times and location
Blue Line Prep Cup
(Hudson, NH) June 16 -18 (2008) -$395.00
Pre Tournament Practice on 6/17 @ 7:55pm
LOCATION:
Buffone Arena
284 Lake Ave
Worcester, MA .01440
Junior Chowder Cup
(Foxboro, Canton, Braintree & Attleboro)
July 27 – 30 (2008) -$395.00
Pre Tournament Practice on 7/25 @ 7:55pm
LOCATION:
Buffone Arena
284 Lake Ave
Worcester, MA .01440
“Potential Tournaments”
Having coached Bobby for four years at UNH, I know his natural ability to put the puck in the net! If your child wants to learn to score, then there’s no other camp than Ice Works. Bobby’s ability to analyze a player shooting flaws, correct the players shooting mechanics, is an exceptional talent of Bobby’s – I would highly recommend Bobby Butler and the Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training” program!
Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training” school is clearly the camp for the player that wants to elevate their game to the next level! Their specialized (4S) curriculum assures that every player is developing in all areas of their game. Bobby and Brian’s enthusiastic but demanding training approach guarantee’s the players reach their maximum potential while training at Ice Works. I highly recommend Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training”
“Having recruited and coached Bobby at UNH, I am not surprised at the success Bobby has had at the professional level. With Bobby’s passion for the game and his enthusiasm to teach younger players I am confident that he will be successful with his newest hockey venture, Ice Works and “Elite Hockey Training”. I am confident in recommending Bobby to the parents of young youth players with a desire to excel and improve their game.”
Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training” is an exceptional camp for the player that really wants to excel to the next level. Bobby and Brian’s knowledge of the game, passion and desire to improve each player is evident in their positive approach. Bobby and Brian are motivating but demanding of their players – I would strongly recommend Ice Works!
My boys participated in several Ice Works clinics last summer. I can say without a doubt that their skill levels improved tremendously. They were by far readier at the start of their season than most of their teammates, many of whom went to different summer hockey camps and clinics. The combination of high quality off-ice and on-ice training by highly experienced instructors, each one bringing a different skill set and approach that builds upon an aligned overall training strategy sets Ice Works apart from the rest!
Being a New England native, I have attended many hockey camps and clinics in the area and if you’re serious about raising your game to the next level then Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training” is the camp for you. The attentiveness of their instructors, their knowledge of the game and their intense training curriculum, combined with their outstanding dryland training program is really what separates Ice Works from the competition.
As a former professional hockey player and proud parent of three young boys, I had the opportunity to send my oldest son to the Ice Works “Full Throttle” hockey program last year. I was simply blown away! The four-week program was exceptional, I was impressed by the extremely low student to teacher ratio (4:1) and all of the instructor’s attention to details. Brian and Bobby were present all the time and made the camp extremely challenging but fun at the same time. My son is flourishing this year, and I contribute it to the time he spent at Ice Works this past summer…
Attending the camp as a surprised guest for the players, I was blown away by Bobby and Brian’s attention to detail. Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training” is an exceptional program that really focuses on all of four aspects of the game. All of the directors and counselors made sure that each child was worked with individually and pushed outside of their comfort zones!
I have attended many camps and clinics as a child and I wished there was an Ice Works “Elite Hockey Training” program in Edmonton, Alberta! I had the ability to work with Bobby at one of his hockey schools recently and was just amazed at the training techniques and equipment that they are providing the kids. The Ice Works mobile training center is simply awesome, skating machines, sideboards, vertical leapers – I wish I had these training tools when I was a younger!
"As a former NHL player, I strongly endorse Ice Works 'Elite Hockey Training' for the player who wants to evaluate their game and make the improvements to succeed at the next level. Coach Payne's enthusiasm, knowledge and unique coaching approach makes Ice Works an 'Elite' camp!
"Brian and his coaching staff at Ice Works "Elite Hockey Training" have set the bar for all hockey schools. His on-ice curriculum is unlike any others, and there is no comparable dryland training program like Ice Works. His passion, enthusiasm and commitment to every player guarantees individual results.
Having played with Bobby Butler for the Ottawa Senators, I know what a deadly shot he has personally! If your child wants to learn how to score, then I would highly recommend attending one of Ice Works “Elite” hockey schools or shooting clinics. I have no doubt that this current Pro & former US Olympian will make a huge difference in your child’s shot!
The instructors at Ice Works are extremely passionate, and dedicated to the development of every player. Individuals are challenged on every drill, maximizing their results. Their hockey schools and clinics are challenging, but rewarding! I couldn’t recommend another training program that provides results like Ice Works!