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Player Development

The American Development Model (ADM) utilizes long term athlete development (LTAD) principles as its framework. LTAD principles can be used as a basis on which to make our existing systems and structures more consistent. Developed by internationally renowned coach educator Istvan Balyi, and adapted to ice hockey by USA Hockey, the principles of LTAD are rooted in successful programs throughout the world.

One of the first things that USA Hockey did when beginning this project was to look closely at the statistics related to player development — specifically the skill development time each player has when in both a practice setting and a game setting. When viewed from the perspective of how kids learn the number of repetitions of specific skills and situations that occur in practice versus a game, we quickly learned where players have a chance to develop the most: practice.

So a model was created that valued practice and proper training above all else. This isn’t to say that the ADM is about taking the fun out of hockey, quite the contrary. Practices can and should be fun, especially if the kids are all playing together and having a blast with a game that they love. The more they play it, the better chance that they’ll love it. And when you combine a passion for the game with increased puck time, kids will start to excel at it. Play, Love, Excel. That’s the ADM.

The ADM, through the utilization of LTAD principles, allows us to integrate training, competition and recovery programming with relation to biological development so that we can fully get at a kid’s potential. To make an athlete out of a kid. To make a hockey player out of an athlete. The ADM offers equal opportunity for recreation and competition — a key to retaining younger players.

Download MDM Association Best Practices Brochure

The Minnesota Development Model (MDM) is based on the principles of USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM). Minnesota Hockey is providing the following guidelines and best practices, with the goal of assisting associations in developing programming which supports LTAD.

Wes Bolin

Minnesota ADM Coordinator

Phone: 651-403-2448