• Lindsay Hofford

    Founder & CEO of Pro Hockey Development Group
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  • About Me

    The Ontario Hockey League hired Hofford as a junior coach after he coached youth hockey. He spent three years as a coach in the OHL before going to Lethbridge, where he spent an additional three years as a coach in the Western Hockey League.

    Hofford transitioned his teaching experience into a scouting profession from 2010 to 2019. He worked for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019 and the London Knights from 2010 to 2015 as the Director of Amateur Scouting.

    At the AHL, OHL, CHL, and CJHL levels, Lindsay Hofford has coached and succeeded at every level. More than 200 NHL players, including Corey Perry, Mitch Marner, Austin Matthews, Brent Seabrook, and Rick Nash, have played for him or under his tutelage.

    Hofford transitioned his teaching experience into a scouting profession from 2010 to 2019. He worked for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019 and the London Knights from 2010 to 2015 as the Director of Amateur Scouting.

    To Know More Social Media : Behance , Linkedin , Twitter

    Read More : http://lindsayhofford.com/

  • Five Major Issues with Youth Sports in the U.S.

    Published on : 01-02-2023
  • Regarding youth sports in the United States, five key issues are detrimental to our children. They include a lack of financing, overuse injuries, helicopter parents, high school sports involvement decline, and a low-income population.

    The first nationwide fall in high school sports participation has been reported in three decades. A recent poll by the National Federation of State High School Associations of all fifty-one states revealed a decline in football and basketball participation over the last year.

    Girls' basketball and football were among the sports with the most significant changes in participation during the last two years. Basketball had the most significant decline in overall participation, while football has been declining for many years.

    Despite the decline, there were a few noteworthy accomplishments in sports participation. For instance, participation in girls' cross country increased by 45 percent over the last year.

    In the last year, baseball and softball reached their all-time lows. Participation in boys' and girls' outdoor track decreased significantly from the previous year.

    The sport of football contributed the most to the total drop. The participation rate for boys' 11-man football fell to its lowest level in the last 14 years, with a total of just 1,006,801.

    Participation increased somewhat in both boys' soccer and unified bowling. This was likely because these sports need great collaboration and are played throughout the winter.

    Helicopter parents are renowned for tainting their children's sports experiences. Even with excellent intentions, they may do more damage than good. They may be the source of many of the millennial generation's most prevalent concerns.

    In the 2000s, college officials started using the phrase "helicopter parent" to indicate a deteriorating trend of family participation. Although the notion is only partially novel, several research and publications have highlighted the drawbacks of this parenting style.

    In sports, the gimmick is parents who transport their children to games and other events in which they cannot participate. This may result in increased pressure to choose one activity over another, accidents, and an increased risk of burnout before the child ever steps foot on the field.

    The same situation occurs at school. Parents who hover over or control their children's lives will incur substantial costs and assume many obligations. They participate in their child's schoolwork, health choices, and interpersonal connections. This parenting style may lead to tension, a lack of confidence in others, and impaired problem-solving skills.

    Youth athletes are becoming more concerned about overuse problems. They may be caused by various circumstances, including improper technique, inadequate equipment support, and insufficient rest. These injuries may be both painful and challenging to cure.

    There are many methods for preventing overuse injuries. In general, young athletes should participate in various activities, frequently practice, and use protective equipment. If they are injured, they should contact a doctor or orthopedic expert. The athlete may heal from the injury with the help of physical therapy, medication, or surgery.

    In addition to prevention, it is essential to understand how to manage overuse injuries. Physical therapy, rest, and ice are all standard therapies.

    Athletes must inform their coaches and medical personnel of any minor aches and pains. In the early stages, many athletes disregard these signals, which might lead to more severe injuries later on.

    Youth overuse injuries are on the rise, but they are preventable. Bones and tendons are subjected to repeated stress, which leads to overuse injuries.

    The Project Play assessment of the Aspen Institute highlights the expense of sports involvement. It was discovered that the typical family of four spends $700 a year on sports, with others spending as much as $35,000.

    The poll revealed that children from low-income households had more difficulty financing youth sports. There may be various causes for this. One is that low-income children need more access to athletic fields and outdoor activities. In addition, parents from low-income households are more likely to be time-crunched. They are more likely to have to work, care for children, and fulfill other responsibilities.

    In recent years, the expense of a kid participating in sports has skyrocketed, resulting in a growing gap between wealthy and poor households. Major League Baseball, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Nike have vowed to make sports more accessible to low-income youngsters.

    Although these commitments are appreciated, the truth is that these programs are often less costly than community-based sports. In addition, children from poorer households are more likely to lack access to physical education.

  • Nutritional Supplements for Physical Activity and Athletic Performance

    Published on : 12-07-2022
  • Supplements can boost athletic performance. It can also improve your overall health, particularly if you are overweight or have a medical problem.

    The addition of a nutritional supplement to your workout routine can enhance performance. It has been demonstrated that beta-alanine increases muscle carnosine levels, which decreases muscular acidity and prevents tiredness. Additionally, it enhances recovery and fuels greater improvements. Meat and fish contain beta-alanine. It is especially effective for brief exercise sessions. It can be consumed between 2.4 and 6.4 grams per day. It is recommended to take it daily to optimize advantages.

    Additionally, beta-alanine may enhance endurance during high-intensity exercise. It also boosts sprint finishes in long-distance cycling competitions. Additionally, it aids in preventing the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, which causes weariness and pain. During battle tests, it has been demonstrated to lessen tiredness and exhaustion.

    Caffeine reigns supreme among dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance. In addition to its numerous health benefits, including better sleep and reduced blood pressure, it is also recognized to increase physical performance. Among other advantages, it may increase free fatty acids during the initial phases of endurance exercise. However, it is not the ideal option for regular workouts. Additionally, it disrupts your sleep schedule. The effects of caffeine can be minimized by abstaining from it at least two days before an athletic competition.

    Additionally, caffeine is a frequent component of energy beverages. Despite their caffeine content, energy drinks are not ideal for regular workouts. These effects may include irritation, agitation, sleeplessness, nausea, and vomiting. For these reasons, the FDA has issued cautions against caffeine-containing energy drinks.

    Increasing your sports performance using nutritional supplements can be an effective means of gaining a competitive advantage. However, outcomes differ based on the nature of your activity, the duration of your participation, and the intensity of your training. Protein, vitamins, caffeine and minerals are the most frequent nutritional supplements to enhance sports performance. Additionally, these are available in some proprietary formulations. Some of these formulas contain substances that have not been fully researched for their effects on athletic performance.

    Athletes may also utilize supplements containing creatine and beta-alanine. These compounds are used to boost workout performance and recuperation time. The National Athletic Trainers' Association agrees that research on these substances is inconclusive. Several studies indicate, however, that creatine supplementation may increase muscle mass and beta-alanine may accelerate muscle repair.

    Whether you are training for your first triathlon or are a seasoned veteran, a little assistance from the supplement industry can go a long way in increasing your athletic performance. Some nutritional supplements list dozens of ingredients, many of which are proprietary, in varying proportions. A handful of manufacturers invest little in product-related scientific research. Your best option is to conduct your study. For instance, the Office of Dietary Supplements maintains an information sheet on vitamins C and E. There are also a lot of websites that provide information on the most effective dietary supplements, including a list of supplements that are guaranteed to work. Lastly, the National Athletic Trainers' Association maintains a database of over 700 performance-enhancing products.

    As simple as adding a nutritional supplement to your diet, you can improve your athletic performance. Various supplements are available, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and botanicals. They can increase your physical performance by providing the energy your body needs for exercise and sports training.

    While adding nutritional supplements to your diet has numerous benefits, supplementing also has some drawbacks. Certain substances may increase the likelihood of heat intolerance, nausea, and diarrhea. Additionally, supplements can raise the risk of weight gain, which can be detrimental to endurance sports.

    Protein is the most prevalent element in exercise and athletic performance dietary supplements. The protein is essential for muscle development. To receive enough amino acids that make up protein, you must consume more protein meals.

  • 46 Hockey Breakthroughs

    Published On: 11-18-2022

    There are many fresh and revolutionary hockey ideas to attract your eye, whether you are a fan of the game, an aspiring ice hockey player, or simply a casual viewer. There are numerous improvements to keep your mind occupied during your next game, ranging from outdoor games to 3-on-3 bracket tournaments. Whether you want to buy a new player-tracking system for your team or learn how to win a 3-on-3 competition, many new hockey technologies help you win more games.

    Hockey coaches have questioned whether the Ice rule against short-handed teams is fair during the last several seasons. No young teams registered with USA Hockey are permitted to ice the puck when they are short-handed. The rule was tested in several major cities around the United States and was contentious for a few games, but it has been in effect since the 2017-18 regular season.

    There are fewer skaters on the ice when the team is short-handed. A skater designated by the coach may request a team timeout during a play pause. The other players may be relegated to the bench.

    A player ejected from a game is suspended for the rest of the game. Fighting players in hockey are also ejected. Each team is given a sportsmanship rating ranging from 0 to 3. If a team's average score falls below 2.0, they are eliminated from the playoffs.

    Several professional sports leagues play numerous weekly games, complicating preparation and recovery. A puck and player tracking system, as indicated above by enthusiasts, might be used to aid in contract talks. He is not alone in this. During a preseason game, one such method was tested. The device may collect and save information about players, takeaways, and giveaways. Using an accelerometer-derived metric, the system could distinguish between ice hockey-specific and non-hockey-related movements.

    A similar method was tested against a control group, although only two pucks were tracked per player. The technology generated precise and granular tracking data in less than a minute per player. The system's minor flaw is the lack of an infrared camera, which keeps the puck on track and records the player above data in near real-time.

    Despite a record-high number of players, the 46 Hockey Innovations 3-on-3 bracket event has received little attention from the hockey elite. The league is still in its early stages, and the inaugural victors will get the trophy seen above. While no one has been proclaimed the unofficial champions, Gloucester, Tewksbury, and North Reading have all made an impression. With the playoffs approaching, now is the time to make an impression.

    Among the many fraternity members, a Pittsburgh native and minor hockey coach at the Ice Castle in Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania, stood out. Tyler and a couple of local geniuses destroyed the competition on their way to third place in the league's elite division. The nicest aspect is that Tyler will be able to play in the state's top league.

    During the National Hockey League's 100th anniversary celebration in 2017, the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs competed in the NHL Centennial Classic. This was the NHL's first outdoor regular season game. The game took place at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

    The NHL currently schedules three outdoor game series: the Winter Classic, the Stadium Series, and the Heritage Classic. Twenty-seven of the NHL's 32 teams have played at least one outdoor regular season game. These games attracted large crowds and broke attendance records.


    The Winter Classic takes place on New Year's Day in the United States, and there is a chance of snow for added nostalgia. The game is played in the United States between the visiting team and a team from the home state. The game is usually accompanied by fireworks. The game is played on Thanksgiving Day in Canada.

  • Important Hockey Trends and the State of the Game in 2022

    Published on: 10-19-2022
  • The phrase "State of Hockey" may be unfamiliar to many outsides of the hockey world, yet it is true. It's not about bragging or dismissing other hockey communities; it's about the pure excitement and passion that can be found in watching the game, from waking up at dawn to breathing in the icy air of a frozen pond. It's a unique link that's difficult to express, but it's best summed up by one song.

    While Minnesota isn't known for its NHL teams, the state of hockey in Minnesota is improving yearly. The Wild sold out 400 consecutive games in their first season, ranking sixth in the league. Furthermore, the state has a much larger population than Michigan, which ranks sixth in registered players.

    Despite its youth, women's hockey is gaining popularity around the world. During the 2018-19 season, the NHL had over 567,900 female players. This expansion is due to increased representation and participation of women and girls. Women can make it in the NHL, as evidenced by Auston Matthews.

    Hockey is its universe in the United States. Big hockey cities are like moons, while smaller ones, like the Las Vegas strip, produce new stars. Toronto has long been regarded as the center of the Canadian hockey universe. However, many other cities and regions, such as Edmonton and Montreal, have emerged as significant NHL players.

    The Rangers and Islanders have territories in the New York metro area, while the Devils play in Newark, New Jersey. According to USA Hockey, a team's market area is within a 50-mile radius of its home. The Rangers' fans come from all over the country, including neighboring Connecticut. As a result, their market size is only 40,317 people, representing a small percentage of the entire metropolitan area.

    Women's hockey was important in addition to the men's game. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, Team USA took the bronze. Since Nagano in 1998, they have won seven medals. Meanwhile, the men's team was let down after failing to win their third consecutive gold medal. They did, however, give fans plenty to cheer about in Beijing.

    Women's hockey has had a significant impact on the game. The Chinese government and businessman Billy Ngok invested in women's hockey in 2017. This investment resulted in the formation of two CWHL teams, but these two teams have since merged in Shenzhen. This has resulted in forming a new division in the women's game.

    In 2018-19, the Predators averaged 17,416 fans per game, and attendance has risen for three consecutive seasons. The success of the team has also increased participation among local players. Since 2014, the number of players aged 15 and up has increased by 26.9%, while the number of players aged 8 and under has decreased by 8.7%.

    Despite finishing last in the World Cup, the United States has performed admirably. Despite their losses, they were able to take bronze in the finals. They met twice, once in the round of 16 and again in the semifinals.
    Week 24 Fantasy Hockey Rankings

    Many people in fantasy hockey leagues are paying attention to a player who is an unsung hero in the NHL. Although he may not be the first player that comes to mind when putting together a lineup, he consistently contributes. As a result, if you need a scorer, he should go in the first round of any draft.

    A skilled player, such as William Karlsson, is a sure bet. The seasoned player is still valuable on the scoreboard and should be acquired at a low cost. Another solid option is Vasili Podkolzin, who came to the NHL from the KHL. He should be considered if you need wingers, and his plus/minus is high enough.

    Defenceman Jesse Puljujarvi is another quality player who is currently available through waivers. He is an excellent addition to a team with a strong defensive unit. He'd make an excellent first-line replacement, similar to Tom Wilson in size. He will have significant fantasy value if he can continue to pave the way for Matthews and Marner.

    Forward Carl Soderberg of the Boston Bruins is another capable free-agent signing. He is a viable option for your roster because he is available in roughly 66% of ESPN leagues and can provide you with shots and points. He had a strong first half of the season, as evidenced by his three goals in the last six games. Furthermore, he is getting more power play time than his owners believe, so his scoring chances should increase.

    Late in March, fantasy hockey's top ten waiver wire picks include many players who would otherwise be overlooked. Nonetheless, most of these athletes are more talented than their contemporaries. Matt Boldy, who should be considered alongside Alex Iafallo, is another fantastic waiver wire target. He's similar to Alex Iafallo in that he has the potential to alter the rest of your team's season drastically. If he keeps this up, he might be able to win the Calder Trophy.

    It's not difficult to find good defensemen on the waiver wire. The Blues' bench is strong, thanks to players like Justin Faulk and Alex Iafallo. They haven't had great stats this year, but they're still solid picks for teams in need of defensive depth. The two rookies aren't known for their offensive abilities, but they both have bright futures as top-tier players who can contribute defensively and offensively.

    Jared McCann is another excellent value pick. He was the Colorado Avalanche's top forward prospect last year and played in the NHL, the AHL, and the NCAA. He can be a valuable waiver pickup in the second half of the season due to his quickness and puck skills.

    Calgary's hockey team is known as the Flames. Mikael Backlund has been underwhelming in the past, but he has recently shown remarkable improvement. Despite the team's lack of production, the second power-play unit still gives the second-line center some ice time. He shoots a few shots and connects on a few more. Despite his erratic play, he has developed into a good bench option and benefits from a schedule that includes division opponents Los Angeles, Arizona, and Edmonton.

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