Complete Hockey Athletic Development
Data Analytics HAS changed the game. Speed is more important than ever to accelerate, change directions, and to create a scoring opportunities. Numbers don’t lie. That’s why we’ve developed a data-driven method to screen for injury and a proprietary method to analyze athleticism as it relates to hockey skating performance and skill development. Housed in a world-class sport science facility fusing integrated sport science services, advanced monitoring, sports medicine; FITS builds Better Hockey Players. Train smarter. Become Faster. Become Injury Proof.
- The Athletic Development Motor Control Framework
- Year over Year Development, Individualization, and Additional Sessions.
- Championship Habit Formation. (Goal Setting, Nutrition, Recovery and Regeneration Strategies).
- FLIGHT SCHOOL – High Performance Athletic Development @ FITS. Featuring world-class technology, equipment, and facilities.
- Program Delivery System via FITS Web and Smart Phone APP (iOS, Android) .
- Homework Modules
- Integrated Electrical Medical Records
- Sport Science Curriculum
- Detailed Reporting (PLIP Progress Report, Expression Standards, Compliance)
- Program Gamification and Athlete Engagement Strategies.
Our athletic development team has been trained to ID movement control problems that may require the help of a health care professional. When appropriate we have a health care team waiting to help.
With our Global network we’ve developed specific strategies to help prevent common injuries associated with hockey – Low Back Pain, Groin Strains, and Hip Pain (The Hockey Triad)
- Immediate Injury Status reporting on FITS Athlete Portal
- Expert Return to Sport with use of FITS Metrics (Fusing Technology and Clinical Decision Making)
- Athlete RESTORE (Recovery and Regeneration Strategies)
- PLIP Magazine
Year Round Athletic Development – Minor to Junior Levels
Rising Star
Atom & PeeweeRising Star
- Learn – physical literacy through key movement patterns
- Build – A foundation of strength and technical components of speed
- At home development – In-gym workouts are supplemented with homework modules
Developing
Bantam & MidgetDeveloping
- Enhance key athletic qualities – build maximal strength, utilize your explosive power, and possess top-end speed to take you to the next level
- Build championship habits – Learn how to become a self-sufficient athlete with proper body maintenance, recovery & regeneration techniques
Elite
Junior/ Collegiate/ ProElite
- True athletic expression – with complete control of the body, applied to sport specific scenarios
- Customized Athlete Restore – Nutrition & supplementation planning, immediate injury referral & management system
- On-ice development – available after off-ice sessions with integration between Sport Medicine Team
Training Methods and qualities we DEVELOP for each ATHLETE
Many training methods are required to develop a complete athlete. The training methods listed have been operationalized, meaning we’ve quantified performances between good, better, and best levels. Based on the profile of each training method we create an Athletic Quality Profile for each athlete. The profile enables us to rank the athlete against other athletes and shapes how we develop them.
For each training method you’ll notice the focus for each age group – gray is the rising star group, yellow is the development group, orange is the high performance group. The number of stars represents the amount of focus we place for that particular age group and how we progress that training method. For example, in the Olympic Lifting training method you see we introduce the training method at the rising star level. It then becomes a focus of development during the development group level. Followed by an intense focus during the high performance group.
Our Hockey #FITSFAM
Professional Players
Victor Mete, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Cliff Pu, Kunlun Red Star (KHL)
Cam Morrison, Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
Joseph Mizzi, Sterzing Broncos (AlpsHL)
Major Junior / Collegiate Players
Dimitri Mikrogiannakis, RIT (NCAA)
Kevin Weaver-Vitale, Plattsburgh State (NCAA)
Noah Heiser, St. Olaf College (NCAA)
Ryan Gillespie, Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
Jonathan Yantsis, Queens Gaels (USports)
Peter Stratis, Ottawa Gee Gees (USports)
Drew Wawrow, Western Mustangs (USports)
Junior Tier 2
Kyan Haldenby, Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)
Ethan McFarland, Aurora Tigers (OJHL)
Joshua Liu, Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL)
“Our son Ethan is an AAA hockey player in the GTHL, and he has been taking part in the small group “Athletic Development” sessions offered at FITS since 2016. In addition to enjoying the chance to work out with both friends and new people, the excellent staff at FITS have guided and supported him to markedly improve his strength and agility, which we feel has helped his game and helped him avoid injuries on and off the ice. And for the few times where something isn’t feeling quite right, the chiropractic services offered by Dr. Lam and the team have helped get him back in top form as quickly as possible. For our family, FITS is definitely the right fit for building an elite athlete!”
“I can honestly say without a doubt in my mind the FITS Team has helped improve my performance not only in the gym but also on the ice. I have been able to achieve personal fitness goals and reach new levels on the ice that would not have been made possible without their support. The FITSFam has made every workout enjoyable and has taken the time to help me to get better everyday. The staff is exceptionally qualified, knowledgeable, and friendly creating an environment in which one can certainly achieve success. I cannot say enough great things about FITS’ facility, atmosphere, and most importantly the people involved. The FITSFAM has helped me reach new heights, and there is no other gym I would choose to better myself than FITS Toronto. Here, I truly feel a part of the #FITSFAM.”
Jonathan Yantsis, Kitchener Rangers“I have been training at FITS for years now and their facilities and programs are excellent. I have always been impressed by their attention to detail and commitment to helping their athletes improve. When I first began, I needed to focus on building a good foundation before moving on to more complex movements. Thomas and David are great at explaining the importance of these basic movements and are always quick to teach and correct. Over the years, my strength has grown immensely and most recently I have greatly improved my speed. I really like that they tailor the workouts for each individual athlete in order to focus on specific training and performance goals. I am always pushed to my boundaries when at FITS and the trainers are constantly looking for ways to better themselves and their athletes. They are a big part of my success so far as a hockey player.”
Peter Stratis, Sudbury Wolves
TeamBuildr
TeamBuildr - Athletic Monitoring
This includes home and or gym workouts between sessions, sport science knowledge (nutrition, championship habits, and injury prevention knowledge), health and training adaptation monitoring.
FITLight
FITLight - Agility Training
Agility training is more than running through a pre-determined course. Athletes need to react to a stimulus to add decision making into the process.
Push Band
Push Band - Velocity Based Training
Velocity Based Training. Lifting has evolved past knowing the weight you use. Knowing the speed of your lift helps athletes understand if they are enhancing the quality that they have set out to achieve
ForceDecks
ForceDecks - Platform Testing System
Provide us a complete force profile, measure eccentric and concentric movement, as well as measure asymmetries between sides.
Stalker Radar
Stalker Radar - Acceleration Dynamics
Stalker Radar gun to assess speed, as well as software to provide a detailed picture of acceleration dynamics
ACES
ACES - Isokinetic Dynanometer
Computer controlled isokinetic dynamometer that your let control speed of movement with instant feedback of force generating capabilities
Kinovea
Kinovea - Video Motion Capture
Multiple cameras are located throughout the facility for instant feedback and detailed assessments
Jane
Jane - FITS Athlete Portal
Online portal for all of our athlete’s to access informational material from home
FAQ and Program Details
With our TeamBuildr platform, we are able to send athletes workouts to do when they are away. We will plan accordingly to what they will have access to.
At FITS, we believe that athletes should develop physical literacy during their formative years. This means that athletes not yet in high school should be taking a break from the ice once the season has finished, and learning how to play other sports instead.
At FITS, we believe the sport is gearing towards speed, and that’s why the ultimate goal is to make players faster. By setting a foundation of strength, power, as well as speed mechanics, we can build elite speed off the ice. Speed off the ice in combination with strong skating mechanics will make elite skaters. We have great partners to refer to if you need on-ice help!
We have had novice aged athletes in our Athletic Development sessions, and they will always be welcomed! If they are willing to train with us, we will help improve their physical literacy. We want parents to understand that there is no evidence to proper weight training stunting growth. Still, we progress our athletes slowly so they understand how to move before they are externally loaded.
All of our programs are built on our Physical Literacy and Injury Prevention Standards. It is organized into 8 units, 3 levels per each unit for over 50 unique movement development qualities. The units consist of:
- System Stability – Trunk control, pelvic control, scapular control, glute activation
- Hip Strategy/ Knee Control – Load the hips efficiently, protect against knee valgus while skating
- STH Control & Upper Body Strength – Often overlooked by hockey players, efficient Scapular Thoracic Humeral control is key
- Integrated Hip Power – Coordinate between the upper & lower body to make a powerful athlete
- Impulse Development/ Acceleration & Sprint Mechanics – Learn how to build elite speed
- Reactiveness – Be agile and quickly change direction to evade opponents
- Rotation Power – Rotation mechanics for a blazing shot
At FITS, we don’t have a set start date. Our programs run year-round, prioritizing athletic development qualities according to sport demands. We don’t wait until it’s “convenient to train”, because results compound with consistent habits and there is always something we can do to get better. That’s why our programs run year-round, with a summer intense focus. That being said, we provide our athletes a detailed program and resources so they improve their athleticism year round, even when they can’t make it to FITS.
Book an Initial Assessment, by booking online, (please select “Hockey Initial Assessment”) or call us at 416-628-4333 or email us at info@fitstoronto.com. This will be a 1 hour appointment of testing, and results will be given immediately after. Along with your assessment, you will be set up with your FITS accounts to log your workouts, and you will be able to start participating in our Athletic Development sessions.
Once you’ve done your Initial Assessment, you’re eligible for our Summer Dryland Program. For the summer we have an in-house sign-up process, where you sign-up for your group based age, competition level and training age. The tentative schedule is as follows (once the school year has finished)::
- High Performance: 8:30 – 10am
- Professional / Elite: 10 – 11:30am
- Rising Stars: 11:30 – 1pm
- Rising Stars: 2 – 3:30pm
- High Performance: 4:30 – 6pm
- Off-Season Focused Athletic Development
- In-Season Athletic Development (Recommended Frequency 1 – 2 times / week)
- Team Training and Testing (In season and Off Season)
- Injury Management
- Athlete RESTORE – Recovery and Regeneration
Initial Assessment: $120 (Approximately 1 hour – See FITS Metrics) with Hockey Athletic Development Registration and Onboarding
Off-Season Price per session: $35 (90 Minutes)
Options (On-Line Sign-up)
- Nutrition & Supplementation
- Athlete RESTORE $80 / 30 min session, $120 / 1 hr session
Skill Development Partners
