From The Edge
January 2025Sharpen your edge every month – insights, tips and tools to help elite hockey players skate faster, smarter and stronger!
In this issue:
Why technical power skating is the fastest way to level up as playoffs and tryouts approach
A recap of our first HER Edges clinic and the athletes who set the standard for confidence and commitment
A deeper look at edge awareness and transitions and how mastery here unlocks speed control and game confidence
Our January Athletes of the Month and the elite habits driving their next level performance
A player approved Power Play Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowl to fuel the grind of mid season hockey
At Falcon’s Edge, every stride is a step toward mastery. Let’s get after it.
Coach’s corner
As playoffs and tryouts approach, parents, coaches and athletes often ask Coach Stephanie, “What’s the quickest way to level up?”
The answer is simple: technical power skating.
Skating impacts every shift. Stronger skating helps players get to pucks faster, create more time and space, recover quicker, and maintain speed late in games.
Small technical fixes—stride efficiency, edge control, balance, and first-step quickness—often show up in games within weeks, not months.
Efficient skaters use less energy, look stronger late in games, and stand out immediately at tryouts—often before they touch the puck.
Right now is the best time to invest in skating. It’s the highest return-on-investment skill a player can train heading into playoffs and next season.
Reach out to info@falconsedge.ca to learn more or book your next session.
See you on the ice,
Falcon’s Edge Coaching Team
Interested in training with Falcon’s Edge?
Reach out for details: info@falconsedge.ca
HER EDGE’s update:
Coach Stephanie and the Falcon’s Edge team would like to thank an incredible group of young female athletes for making the first iteration of HER Edges a tremendous success.
This two-day technical power skating clinic, designed exclusively for female athletes, took place at Oakville Hockey Academy on December 29th and 30th. The clinic focused on developing strong skating fundamentals while addressing the unique biomechanics and movement patterns specific to female athletes.
Over the course of two days, skaters worked on balance, edge control, speed, and agility, with an emphasis on efficient mechanics, stability, and confidence on their edges. The result was a high-energy, supportive environment where athletes were challenged, empowered, and inspired to take their skating to the next level.
We are proud of the commitment, effort, and enthusiasm shown by every participant and look forward to building on the momentum of HER Edges in future sessions.
Reach out to info@falconsedge.ca to learn more or book your next session.
Performance Tip of the Month:
Edge Awareness & Transitions
In this month’s edition, we talk with Coach Stephanie about the importance of mastering the details — and few skills are more foundational than edge awareness and transitional control. These two elements form the base of every powerful stride, every clean pivot, and every explosive change of direction that separates elite players from everyone else.
Edge awareness is more than just balance — it’s body intelligence. It’s knowing where your weight is, how your blades are gripping the ice, and when to shift pressure to create speed, stability, or deception. Players who understand their edges don’t just move better — they react faster, recover smoother, and control the play at any speed.
Transitions, meanwhile, are where games are won. The ability to shift seamlessly from forward to backward skating, or from glide to acceleration, is what allows players to close gaps defensively and attack with pace offensively. When transitions are crisp and automatic, everything else — from puck handling to positioning — improves.
Why It Matters
Speed through control: Proper edge use lets players generate and maintain speed efficiently without wasting energy.
Agility under pressure: Smooth transitions mean staying balanced and composed, even in high-traffic situations.
Game IQ on ice: When you can transition quickly, you dictate the pace — not react to it.
How We Build It at Falcon’s Edge
Our training focuses on feeling the ice — through drills that emphasize edge depth, body alignment, and timing through transitions. Athletes learn to push, glide, and recover with precision so that every stride has intent and purpose.
Coach Stephanie’s Tip
“Edge mastery isn’t just about technique — it’s about confidence. The more comfortable you are on your edges, the more unpredictable and dangerous you become as a player.”
Ready to Level Up?
January is the perfect month to sharpen your edges and refine your transitions. Book your next Falcon’s Edge session and feel the difference in your control, power, and confidence on the ice.
Interested in training with Falcon’s Edge?
Reach out for details: info@falconsedge.ca
Recipe of the Month:
Power Play Chicken & Sweet Potato Bowl
This warm, balanced bowl is designed for young hockey players grinding through the heart of the season. It delivers lean protein for muscle recovery, complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, and healthy fats to support focus and joint health — all in a kid approved, familiar format.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
Protein
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Carbohydrates
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Vegetables
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
Healthy Fats & Toppings
1 ripe avocado, sliced
Optional: shredded cheddar or marble cheese
Optional Honey Yogurt Drizzle (Kid Favourite)
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp honey
Splash of lemon juice
Instructions:
Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and lightly crisped.
Cook the Chicken
Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Grill or pan sear over medium heat for 5–6 minutes per side until fully cooked.
Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
Prepare the Vegetables
Lightly steam or roast broccoli and bell peppers until tender but still vibrant.
Build the Bowl
Start with sweet potatoes, add chicken and vegetables, top with avocado and optional cheese.
Finish with a drizzle of honey yogurt sauce if desired.
Athlete(s) of the month
For our January 2026 Athletes of the Month, we’re proud to recognize Andrew, Thomas, and Daniel—three outstanding 2010 and 2011 AAA players representing the Vaughan Kings and Oakville Rangers.
Coach Stephanie has been working closely with this elite group on a consistent basis, supporting their preparation for key showcase tournaments, league playoffs, and the upcoming 2026 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Their commitment, focus, and work ethic have been exceptional.
Training emphasis for this group has included:
Top-end speed generation and speed maintenance
Game-specific skating patterns and pressure turns
Advanced edge control through contact and resistance
Recovery and power re-generation under fatigue
Andrew, Thomas, and Daniel have been an absolute pleasure to work with, and we’re excited to continue supporting them as they push toward their next level of performance.