The Playmaker Report 🚨
Welcome back, {{firstname | Playmaker}}.
For most players, the season is wrapping up — or already done.
That means the offseason window is open. What you do between now and August/September is going to separate you from the opposition.
This week we're highlighting members who are already in that mindset — including a 3rd-year pro showing you how to keep your mitts sharp without ever stepping on the ice.
Before we get into it:
🙌 Shoutout to former Playmaker of the Week Owen Griffith, who just signed with CHE Academy in Peterborough, Ontario. Huge move — go congratulate him inside the community.
One of our key coaching contributors is running a free webinar to help you set up your offseason (see below).
And one of our members is asking a question we turned into this week's community discussion.
Were you forwarded this email? Click to subscribe
📈 Player Development
From: Brandon Rubeo (@BrandonRubeo) — Skill Development Coach | Quest Hockey
Most players pick up a rimmed puck and stay on the wall. That's leaving the most dangerous ice untouched.
Getting pucks off the wall and into the middle of the ice is where offense is created — and it requires clean retrieval, instant separation, and deception under pressure. This drill trains exactly that: how to turn a low-danger wall puck into a high-danger middle-ice attack.
This week’s development feature was selected directly from drills and breakdowns shared inside the HPC Community.
More from HPC coaches this week:
Allow the Picture to Change — @CoachSchmogs: don't force pucks into traffic — hold, scan, and let new options open up
Off-ice hands work — @smoyer88: a 3rd-year pro in Germany getting stickhandling reps in on a parking lot — no ice needed, no excuses
💪 Set Up Your Off-Season for Success
Coach Schmogs — a regular contributor to the Playmaker Report including today — is hosting a free online seminar on Wednesday, April 22 at 7 PM EST.
Over 20 years developing players at the Minor, Junior, and Pro levels. One session. Proven strategies to train smarter and make next season your best.
🏆 Playmaker of the Week
Who: Sophia Paone (@SophiaPaone18) — D | Tabor Academy
A complete player doesn't just compete — she creates, finishes, and makes every shift count.
Sophia is a defenseman with her sights set on the PWHL, and her reel backs it up. Two turnovers she creates herself. A deflection goal with elite hand-eye and positioning. A one-timer over the glove. A composed backhand deke that beats the goalie clean. Compete level and finish — every shift.
More plays posted inside the Hockey Players Club this week:
Spring grind — @KasenPusateri49 working on his hands with Alex Antropov — exactly what this time of year is for
The deceptive d-man — @ryderbaker: blue line mobility, deception, and shots — head up the whole time
Live-game moves — @Lainger testing his hands in a recent scrimmage — game reps are the proof
💬 Community Discussion
What workouts have actually helped you get faster on the ice?
One of our members (@Derek_Terauds_7) is heading into the offseason with one goal: build explosive speed and extend his ability to finish plays.
What workouts or training habits have actually moved the needle for you when it comes to speed on the ice?
🔥 Level Up with the Hockey Players Club
Create your free HPC profile to showcase your game and level up with real drills, breakdowns, and feedback.
On mobile? The HPC app is the fastest way to upload, post, and get feedback.
