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Player Development

Player Development - What is ADM/LTAD?

LTAD = Long Term Athlete Development

ADM = American Development Model

Why MAHA Supports the American Development Model?

  • Better development for all hockey players

  • More focus on development at younger ages

  • Produces better skilled players

  • Better skilled players have more fun

  • Players having more fun stay in the game longer

  • Program reduces the costs and makes more affordable for more parents

The American Development Model (ADM) provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to hockey associations across America to help more kids play, love and excel in hockey. Brought to you by USA Hockey, in partnership with the NHL. The ADM utilizes Long-Term Athlete Development principles (LTAD) as its framework. LTAD principles can be used as a basis on which to make our existing systems and structures more consistent. Developed by internationally renowned coach educator Istvan Balyi, and adapted to ice hockey by USA Hockey, the principles of LTAD are rooted in successful programs throughout the world.The ADM, through utilization of LTAD principles, allows us to integrate training, competition and recovery programming with relation to biological development so that we can fully get at a kid’s potential. To make an athlete out of a kid. Make a hockey player out of an athlete. The ADM offers equal opportunity for recreation and competition – a key to retaining younger players.

One of the first things that USA Hockey did when beginning this project was to look closely at the statistics related to player development – specifically the skill development time each player has when in both a practice setting and a game setting. When viewed from the perspective of how kids learn the number of repetitions of specific skills and situations that occur in practice versus a game, we quickly learned where players have a chance to develop the most: Practice.

So a model was created that valued practices and proper training above all else. This isn’t to say that the ADM is about taking the fun out of hockey, quite the contrary. Practices can and should be fun, especially if the kids are all playing together and having a blast with a game that they love. The more they play it, the better chance that they’ll love it. And when you combine a passion for the game with increased puck time, kids will start to excel at it. Play, love, excel. That’s the ADM.

As research was conducted in developing the ADM, it became apparent that critical areas in our system were neglecting kids at a very early age. As children mature, they each progress through the same development stages. And certain aspects of these stages must be addressed at the appropriate points along the development curve in order for our children to reach their genetic potential. Maximum development occurs through age-appropriate structure and content. Without developing skills and certain physical and mental attributes at the appropriate time, the long-term prospects of becoming a truly elite player diminish each day.

For a complete website devoted to an explaination  to the USA Hockey ADM Program visit ADMKids.com.


Parents Handbook

For youth players in Michigan, there is no wrong path Distinguishing between facts and myths key


Columbus defenseman and former Michigan captain Nick Blankenburg (Photo: Ben Jackson/Columbus Blue Jackets)

Where an aspiring NCAA Division I men’s hockey player plays hockey in the years prior to his college hockey career can vary quite a bit from player to player. Most often, the answer is a function of where that players lives.

In the state of Michigan, a young player has the enviable choice of either youth hockey or high school hockey. The reality is that most NCAA Division I hockey players from Michigan spend time playing either 18U or high school hockey, proving there is no incorrect route. However, it’s vital that one’s perception of reality is in line with actual reality, and that decisions are based on the latter.

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