From The Edge
February 2026Sharpen your edge every month – insights, tips and tools to help elite hockey players skate faster, smarter and stronger!
In this issue:
What rep coaches are really evaluating at tryouts?
The three keys to a powerful stride
Upcoming tryout prep details for serious female athletes
Spring tryout prep for U8 and U9 players building elite habits early
Stand out athletes from Halton Hills Thunder and Halton Hurricanes
A rink ready Teriyaki Chicken Power Rice Cup built for steady game energy
At Falcon’s Edge, every stride is a step toward mastery. Let’s get after it.
Coach’s corner
What Are Rep Coaches Are Really Looking For at Tryouts?
The differences between players are often small in terms of raw skill. Nearly everyone can skate, handle the puck, and shoot. What separates players—and ultimately determines who makes the team—comes down to a combination of skating ability, habits, compete level, and coachability.
Skating is not just important—it’s the single biggest separator.
Coaches are watching closely for players who demonstrate:
Explosive acceleration – How quickly can you get to top speed in the first 3–5 strides?
Edge control and agility – Can you change directions efficiently without losing speed?
Balance and stability – Are you strong on your edges in traffic and under pressure?
Efficient stride mechanics – Are you powerful and fluid, or choppy and inefficient?
Ability to recover quickly – Can you get back into the play after a turnover?
The reality is simple: coaches can teach systems, but they cannot teach skating speed at tryouts.
Players who move efficiently and powerfully stand out immediately.
Reach out to info@falconsedge.ca to learn more or book your next session.
See you on the ice,
Falcon’s Edge Coaching Team
Performance Tip of the Month:
The Three Keys to a Powerful Hockey Stride
Skating is no longer just about keeping up—it’s about separating yourself from the competition. The players who get to pucks first, create time and space, and dominate transitions all have one thing in common: a powerful, efficient skating stride. Powerful skating is not about moving your legs faster. It’s about generating maximum force with every stride.
1. Full Extension: Power Comes From Finishing Your Stride
One of the most common mistakes—even at the AA and AAA level—is cutting the stride short. Elite skaters generate power by fully extending their leg, driving through the ice, and finishing each stride completely. Full extension allows players to create more power with fewer strides, resulting in greater speed and efficiency. Short, incomplete strides limit speed. Full extension unlocks power.
2. Strong Edge Control: Power Transfers Through Your Edges
Your edges are the connection point between your body and the ice. Without strong edges, power is lost. The best skaters stay low, balanced, and connected to the ice, allowing them to transfer maximum force into forward motion. Better edges equal better power transfer.
3. Proper Knee Bend: Power Starts in Your Base
Powerful skating begins with proper knee bend and athletic posture. Players who skate too upright lose power, balance, and explosiveness. A strong knee base will generate more force, drive better acceleration, quicker recovery and exceptional balance.
Introducing: HER Edges Girls Technical Power Skating REP Try Out Prep
(2013 / 2014 / 2015)
Program Details:
Elite-level technical instruction tailored to girls’ rep players and their skating mechanics
Tryout-focused training that translates directly to game speed and confidence
Proven Falcon’s Edge methodology focused on long-term skating development
Technical Focus Areas
Edge Control
Balance, inside & outside edges, stability on one skate
Proper Stride Mechanics
Efficient push, full extension, clean recovery, powerful acceleration
Directional Changes
Tight turns, controlled stops, forward-to-lateral transitions, agility under pressure
Dates & Times – Oakville Hockey Academy
Sunday March 1st: 5:00pm
Sunday March 8th: 6:00pm
Sunday March 15th: 2:00pm
Sunday March 22nd: 5:00pm
Sunday March 29th: 2:00pm
Price per skater
$349 + HST for all training sessions and includes a Falcon’s Edge Jersey
UPCOMING: U8 & U9 SPRING TRYOUT PREP
(2018 / 2019)
Elite Fast Paced Small Group Training
High intensity drills to improve skills & confidence
Focus on edge control, proper stride mechanics, directional changes
Technical Focus Areas
Edge Control
Balance & stability on edges
Proper Stride Mechanics
Speed & Explosiveness
Directional Changes
Agility & quick transitions
Dates & Times – Oakville Hockey Academy
Sunday, March 8 – 4:00 PM
Sunday, March 15 – 12:00 PM
Sunday, March 22 – 4:00 PM
Sunday, March 29 – 12:00 PM
Sunday, April 12 – 12:00 PM
Sunday, April 19 – 5:00 PM
Price per skater
$399 + HST for all training sessions and includes a Falcon’s Edge Jersey
Recipe of the Month:
Teriyaki Chicken Power Rice Cups
These Teriyaki Chicken Power Rice Cups are built for young hockey players who need steady, reliable energy before they hit the ice.
Packed with lean protein to support muscle repair and growth, balanced carbohydrates to fuel hard skates and quick shifts, and simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy to digest, this bowl delivers serious performance nutrition in a format kids actually enjoy.
It is a practical, rink ready meal that keeps them energized from warm up to the final buzzer.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
2 lbs chicken breast, cubed
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup broccoli or edamame
Sesame seeds and green onions, optional
Instructions:
Cook rice and set aside.
Cook chicken in a pan and add teriyaki sauce.
Scoop rice into bowls and top with chicken and veggies.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
Athlete(s) of the month
For our February 2026 Athletes of the Month, we’re proud to recognize Josh, Emerson, Connor, Mason, Denver —five outstanding 2015 AA & AAA players representing the Halton Hills Thunder and Halton Hurricanes.
Coach Stephanie has been working on a weekly basis with this group on advanced development of improved speed, acceleration, stride technique and tight turns.
As these 5 players head into the OMHA play-offs, we wish them luck as we continue our weekly technical training with them.