What's next for USA Hockey?

In this episode, Daryl Devonish and Matt Young speak with Ken Martel, Technical Director, ADM, USA Hockey about What's next for USA Hockey?

Ken shares the journey that USA Hockey has taken over the last 10+ years to change the game to focus on youth. After seeing over 40,000 male youth drop out in the early 2000's, USA Hockey recognized the investment and change that would be required to attract and retain youth in the game. Pulling inspiration and knowledge from Canada's LTAD model, the Olympic Committee, and many European countries that focus on quality coaches at a grassroots level, USA Hockey was able to evaluate and develop new frameworks investing in the culture and development of the game.

Daryl, Matt, and Ken talk about the battle between the way people think the sport should be applied to how the science is telling us how it should be applied. 

Hear from Ken on what operational challenges they encountered, where the biggest resistance was, and the lessons they learned when implementing change management. 

Through the process, they have seen significant progress and realized where and how USA Hockey can make positive change in the system, including focusing on achieving 85% of the desired goal and working together on the last 15%.

The advise they often have for parents, coaches, and youth athletes includes:

Work on your craftGet good at your local rinkRemove the pressure to 'be seen' at a young age through travel as how a player is at 12 doesn't predict where they will go in the game

The discussion continues on how an organization can make positive changes including:

Why it's important to stay focused on the reason change is being madeIdentify where your strengths are and how you can scale change Why patience is critical as your work through behavior change across all levels of an organization 

Be inspired by the discussion with Ken and how USA Hockey is working to make hockey more accessible and enjoyable to keep kids in the game for life.

With over 25 years of experience in player development and a long history as a coach with USA Hockey, Martel became technical director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model in 2009. He is charged with helping provide a framework for associations nationwide to follow for optimal athlete development. From '06-'08 at USA Hockey’s national office, Martel worked on coaching education and player development initiatives receiving the USOC "Doc" Councilman Award for Ice Hockey in 2004 for his efforts using science to advance sport. Prior to this, Martel was a part of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program staff as an assistant coach for 8 years. 

In addition:

Martel made appearances behind the bench of nine U.S. teams that have competed in International Ice Hockey Federation World ChampionshipsHe was part of two gold medal-winning teams, including the first-ever U.S. gold medals in the IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championship and the IIHF World Junior Championship. Martel served one season as an assistant coach for the men’s ice hockey program at the U.S. Air Force Academy and 7 seasons as an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at Michigan Tech University. He spent 1 year as a graduate assistant for the men’s ice hockey program at St. Cloud State University. A four-year letter-winner as a defenseman at Lake Superior State University, helping win the school’s first-ever NCAA national title in 1988.

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