OUR PROGRAMS

What is Mental Fitness?

In today’s game, it’s not enough to just skate fast or shoot hard. The best athletes are those who can think quickly, stay resilient, and maintain their composure under pressure.

While the term "mental health" often gets associated with therapy, our focus is on mental performance and psychological skills training. This is about strengthening the mental side of the game—building confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional control. While these techniques can support overall well-being, the goal is to help athletes perform better on the ice. These techniques are taught during our off-ice training sessions and are seamlessly woven into our on-ice practices.

What Techniques Are Taught?

Countering Perfectionism

Letting go of unrealistic standards to perform freely.

Visualization

Pre-game visualization to enhance focus, confidence, and performance.

Nervous System Regulation

Using breathwork and grounding to stay calm under pressure.

Improving Focus

Techniques to sharpen concentration and stay present in the game.

Goal Setting

Setting clear, achievable objectives to drive motivation.

Resilience Training

Bouncing back from setbacks with a growth mindset.

Mindfulness Practices

Cultivating awareness and presence to reduce anxiety.

Confidence Building

Helping athletes grow in their sense of confidence and competence.

Cognitive Pyschology (CBT)

CBT is a proven method used to help athletes reframe negative thoughts and build a stronger, more resilient mindset. By identifying unhelpful thought patterns and replacing them with positive, constructive ones, athletes can improve their focus, confidence, and overall performance. During our sessions, we incorporate elements of CBT to help players handle pressure, stay composed, and perform at their best.

Key Benefits of CBT for Athletes:

Improves focus by reducing distractions and negative self-talk.
Enhances emotional control, allowing players to handle high-stakes moments calmly.
Boosts self-confidence by reinforcing positive beliefs and behaviors.

Polyvagal & Nervous System Regulation

The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our nervous system responds to stress. In high-pressure sports like hockey, players often experience fight-or-flight responses that can impair performance. By teaching athletes how to recognize and regulate their nervous system, we help them stay calm, focused, and ready to adapt during intense game moments.

Techniques for Nervous System Regulation Include:

Breathwork and deep breathing exercises to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Grounding techniques, such as muscle relaxation and visualization, to bring players back into a state of focus.
Mindful movement and body awareness to help athletes recognize physical signs of stress and adjust accordingly.

View Our Training Philosophy