Draft Combine Question

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Mario Lemieux was not able to bench 150 lbs even once in his first pro camp so nuff said.

Strenght is important in hockey but overrated.

Does anyone know how our friend Mr. Perron did?

mmm I did great in my interviews I thought. I had 26 interviews with the teams, it's quite a lot compared to most who had around 15 ints.

I didn't do a lot of testing because of a shoulder injuries.

mmm and to answer datsyuksomething, u are right that 10 reps isn't a lot, but u would probably understand why some players dont do alot and its because there is a rythm we need to follow, the is a beep beep that is pretty quick you would be surprise. You look like a frustrated person behind your computer. There is nothing to be frustrated about in life, life is great, have fun, start to enjoy it. It goes by quickly.

but liek chadd said, players of my age should work on skills more than strenth.

[Hidious 0]

Yea, i really don't see the point of establishing "standards" for the bench press. Sure it may be useful to be strong but not "crucial". I may be wrong but i don't see a player like Briere lifting a lot... I may be blinded by looks tho.

Edit - My spelling was awful.

[hockechamp14 0]

Damn, who are you to say this is a terrible draft class, shut the hell when you don't what you are talking about? Does your Datsyuk was able to lift 150 lbs when he got drafted? I don't think so, so let Kane relax...It's so easy to bitch behind a computer.

There were many guys like Datsyuk and Bergeron and ect that were not suppose to become stars when they got drafted, but they've become stars and there will be at least 5 players frothis draft that will become stars.

Chadd always have the ''right words''. Good call again.

Damn, these guys are not football players.

Just goes to show that younger guys should be working on their skills more than their bench press.

Benching 150 10 times doesn't equate to a football player. No wonder this is a terrible draft class, can Kane even pickup the bar?

When he scores more points in the NHL than Kane, THEN he can talk.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Be sure that Kane will score lot of points in the show too...

Damn, who are you to say this is a terrible draft class, shut the hell when you don't what you are talking about? Does your Datsyuk was able to lift 150 lbs when he got drafted? I don't think so, so let Kane relax...It's so easy to bitch behind a computer.

There were many guys like Datsyuk and Bergeron and ect that were not suppose to become stars when they got drafted, but they've become stars and there will be at least 5 players frothis draft that will become stars.

Chadd always have the ''right words''. Good call again.

Damn, these guys are not football players.

Just goes to show that younger guys should be working on their skills more than their bench press.

Benching 150 10 times doesn't equate to a football player. No wonder this is a terrible draft class, can Kane even pickup the bar?

When he scores more points in the NHL than Kane, THEN he can talk.

[TBLfan 25]

buddy you spit out some useless stuff here. You can easily train for bench press by doing guess what? bench press. Every hockey player has a chest day in their programs, but think of it like this. Since the majority of the guys there play major junior, theur seasons just ended so you have to assume they are weaker then before it started. i bet the college guys put up better numbers because their season is shorter. the bench press doesnt show guys clearing out the net, but more athleticism. At 18 some kids can't do 150 many times. you dont need a chest for hockey

I didn't say you couldn't train for the bench press, I said that it was something that you don't need to train for. It's not skating, it's not shooting, it's lifting a bar. It's a basic measure of chest and shoulder strength, I never said that it was important for a player but that it was a good thing.

How often did Wayne Gretzky do either of those things? The guys that are the most ripped are the fringe players and fighters hoping to keep a job in the NHL, not the guys who produce the most points.

These guys are 18 (or so) and will naturally put on some bulk over time, it's natural. There is no reason for them to be doing 20 reps of 250lbs, or anything like that. Too much upper body bulk can be a bad thing.

Once again, I never said that being able to bench press made players great, but it isn't a bad thing for them. It's also not 20 reps of 250 lbs, they're doing 3 reps of 150lbs, that's nothing. It's not something you have to train for and a guy that can do 10 reps of 150 lbs isn't going to look like a wrestler, I know plenty of guys that are in shape and under 6' and around 150 lbs that can put up 150lb more than 5 times.

[Storm 0]

General Manager Paul Holmgren said the combine "is probably the final two percent" of the process that began when scouts in rinks first started noticing these players...

[TBLfan 25]

exactly, it really doesn't matter what you do in the weight room but on the ice... but with that being said I don't see how you guys don't think that for these young guys that they should be able to put 150lbs up more than 3 times. When I was 16 I would put up 220lbs(all the weights my friend had) up about 6-12 times(normally I didn't warm up, it was just a who can lift more in front of pretty girls thing) and again, I was never big on the bench press.

[Hidious 0]

exactly, it really doesn't matter what you do in the weight room but on the ice... but with that being said I don't see how you guys don't think that for these young guys that they should be able to put 150lbs up more than 3 times. When I was 16 I would put up 220lbs(all the weights my friend had) up about 6-12 times(normally I didn't warm up, it was just a who can lift more in front of pretty girls thing) and again, I was never big on the bench press.

Not to be a smartass but i was able to run 2kms in less than 7mins when i was 16, should every young player be able to do it? Common.

[hockechamp14 0]

exactly, it really doesn't matter what you do in the weight room but on the ice... but with that being said I don't see how you guys don't think that for these young guys that they should be able to put 150lbs up more than 3 times. When I was 16 I would put up 220lbs(all the weights my friend had) up about 6-12 times(normally I didn't warm up, it was just a who can lift more in front of pretty girls thing) and again, I was never big on the bench press.

Just because it came easy to you doesn't mean everyone else is just as good.

Who knows, maybe there's a statistic that guys with longer arms are more likely to be good at hockey because of stickhandling or something. Then a lot of guys at the combine probably have trouble with the bench because of something like that.

[Gongshow11 1]

exactly, it really doesn't matter what you do in the weight room but on the ice... but with that being said I don't see how you guys don't think that for these young guys that they should be able to put 150lbs up more than 3 times. When I was 16 I would put up 220lbs(all the weights my friend had) up about 6-12 times(normally I didn't warm up, it was just a who can lift more in front of pretty girls thing) and again, I was never big on the bench press.

did you even read what david said? a good rep is in sync with the beep they have. A guy can prob bang out 15 reps, but only 8 will count. at 16 you musta been tha man, i mean 220, wow. you're the best. As is you can sit there and chirp the NHL combine, or even question it. wow

[TBLfan 25]

I'm just saying that age doesn't matter. At this point I probably could only do half that, who cares? What I'm saying is that at 18 and in good shape, I'd like to think that these guys could do better.

[Cavs019 708]

To whomever posted than Crosby picture, his chest isn't even that developed. I guarantee you 95% of his muscle mass is in his legs/core (end hyperbole)

[lee92 2]

To whomever posted than Crosby picture, his chest isn't even that developed. I guarantee you 95% of his muscle mass is in his legs/core (end hyperbole)

strength and muscle size/definition don't always go hand in hand though. while skill plays a lot in the decision making, no one can honestly say conditioning and strength aren't immportant aspects. to me, i believe its half skill and half conditioning. you need the skill to play at the that level, but you also need the conditioning to keep up at that level.

[Adam91 0]

I think what kovy_ribs and people are trying to say is that strength isn't that important due to the fact that if the player has the right attitude, with the resources they have they are almost guarenteed to become stronger. Look at this draft a player like Gillies is strong physical but has almost zero puck skills or hockey sense, then say look at Kane, in terms of the game of hockey he does everything well above average. The chances of Kane becoming stronger are WAY better then the chances of Gillies becoming more skilled.

THAT IS WHY STRENGTH SHOULDN'T BE A STRONG FACTOR in determing what player you want to draft, aslong as their isn't an attidue problem involved.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Mario Lemieux was not able to bench 150 lbs even once in his first pro camp so nuff said.

Lemieux also didn't train until after his first retirement.

Training is important, at 18 there are alot of areas to grow in, but strength is one of them. It's not likely anyone from this draft class will make the jump to the NHL immediately, so they have time to develop. These results simply mean there are alot of areas to grow and some of these players need to work in the room more in the summer. Most of them have made their mark on the ice already. Training is huge though, Blake sends alot of his success to changing trainers (which also lead to his first Norris).

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Good point Eazy, testing won't change the way a team see the player, it only points the players areas to improve on...

Mario Lemieux was not able to bench 150 lbs even once in his first pro camp so nuff said.

Lemieux also didn't train until after his first retirement.

Training is important, at 18 there are alot of areas to grow in, but strength is one of them. It's not likely anyone from this draft class will make the jump to the NHL immediately, so they have time to develop. These results simply mean there are alot of areas to grow and some of these players need to work in the room more in the summer. Most of them have made their mark on the ice already. Training is huge though, Blake sends alot of his success to changing trainers (which also lead to his first Norris).

[oggy_3 0]

I know when i talk to our trainers for hockey they tell me hockey isnt just lifting heavy ass weight and getting buff. you can only get so strong and then you start to lose you mobility and how good is someone who can bench 300 pounds but cant move his arms. hockey is alot more core strength training now a days. Im not saying that being strong isnt an asset but its not everything.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Kovy, did your brother interview with the caps?

Mike Vogel (caps beat writer) said he is doing a piece on the combine that should be online today or tomorrow, about the whole combine process, but wouldn't be able to go into details about the individual players.

Just curious about the process, and I understand fully if you can't really go into it.

Just thought I would ask

Cheers

[Cavs019 708]

I know when i talk to our trainers for hockey they tell me hockey isnt just lifting heavy ass weight and getting buff. you can only get so strong and then you start to lose you mobility and how good is someone who can bench 300 pounds but cant move his arms. hockey is alot more core strength training now a days. Im not saying that being strong isnt an asset but its not everything.

I believe it was Sakic who was recorded to bench around 300lbs, but I'd like to think he's the exception, not the rule, and ultimately not human.

[D aka speck 0]

Is there a chance that the combine has more to do with seeing commitment and determination rather than lifting weights?

[Project824 0]

Is there a chance that the combine has more to do with seeing commitment and determination rather than lifting weights?

Yes, and also about finding out if anyone's damaged goods. They've already evaluated the player's ability as a hockey player. But for someone you'll potentially invest several million in the next few years, you want to know as much about them as you can, and get a chance to meet and talk to them. Any injuries nobody knew about? Maybe the player had an injury you're wondering whether or not it fully healed? Did they show a little bit of a commitment in preparing for the combine (it IS the most important job interview the young man will ever go to)? What's his attitude?

Not sure if they still do, but some teams used to have players they were interested in go through a psychological eval as well.

Granted, on ice talent and smarts is always going to be most important in this game, but it does baffle me why a kid who is a potential first or 2nd rounder wouldn't invest some time with a personal trainer/strength coach to prepare himself (as well as give himself an advantage physically during the season). If your trainer knows what he's doing, you can maintain a program even through a 70 game junior season with benefits. It takes an extra hour each day/every other day inseason to prepare yourself for the most important 2-3 years of your career.

[DP_57 1]

Kovy, did your brother interview with the caps?

Mike Vogel (caps beat writer) said he is doing a piece on the combine that should be online today or tomorrow, about the whole combine process, but wouldn't be able to go into details about the individual players.

Just curious about the process, and I understand fully if you can't really go into it.

Just thought I would ask

Cheers

ya i did...nice people too...

[Gongshow11 1]

Is there a chance that the combine has more to do with seeing commitment and determination rather than lifting weights?

Yes, and also about finding out if anyone's damaged goods. They've already evaluated the player's ability as a hockey player. But for someone you'll potentially invest several million in the next few years, you want to know as much about them as you can, and get a chance to meet and talk to them. Any injuries nobody knew about? Maybe the player had an injury you're wondering whether or not it fully healed? Did they show a little bit of a commitment in preparing for the combine (it IS the most important job interview the young man will ever go to)? What's his attitude?

Not sure if they still do, but some teams used to have players they were interested in go through a psychological eval as well.

Granted, on ice talent and smarts is always going to be most important in this game, but it does baffle me why a kid who is a potential first or 2nd rounder wouldn't invest some time with a personal trainer/strength coach to prepare himself (as well as give himself an advantage physically during the season). If your trainer knows what he's doing, you can maintain a program even through a 70 game junior season with benefits. It takes an extra hour each day/every other day inseason to prepare yourself for the most important 2-3 years of your career.

at the levels these guys from there is mandatory weight lifting in season. I knwo my team has it and none of us are going to the show. However, guys will always lose weight in season, its a given, and with it you will lose strength. Liek is aid before, the season for osme of these guys just ended, and usually after a season you take 3-4 weeks off. 3-4 weeks and soem of these guys are already in the combine. That is why i expect the college guys to put up better

numbers because their season ends much earlier

[Project824 0]

That is why i expect the college guys to put up better

numbers because their season ends much earlier

That, and some of the college guys are 2-3 years older than the Major Junior kids. Training at a state of the art NCAA DI facility with full time strength and conditioning staff and nutritionist is also going to tend to produce better results than a shed in Flin Flon and your billet mom's meatloaf.

[Gongshow11 1]

That is why i expect the college guys to put up better

numbers because their season ends much earlier

That, and some of the college guys are 2-3 years older than the Major Junior kids. Training at a state of the art NCAA DI facility with full time strength and conditioning staff and nutritionist is also going to tend to produce better results than a shed in Flin Flon and your billet mom's meatloaf.

theyre not 2-3 years older at all. no 20 year old shows up at the combine bud. its 17 and 18 year olds