Kevin Neeld — Hockey Training, Sports Performance, & Sports Science
Speed Training for Hockey: 3-Year Anniversary

Speed Training for Hockey: 3-Year Anniversary

Hard to believe it’s been 3 years since Speed Training for Hockey was released. When @fitness_pollenator and I sat down to map out the book, our goal was to put together a comprehensive resource that details all of the factors that can improve a player’s speed, written specifically for youth players, parents, and coaches. We… Read more

Performance Testing: Youth Hockey Norms

Performance Testing: Youth Hockey Norms

The first question players ask after going through any form of performance testing is either “How’d I do?” or “Is that good?” Every player presents with unique physical characteristics that either help them perform at a desired level or prevent them from doing so. While there are a lot of individual considerations in interpreting testing… Read more

Lateral MiniBand Skater Walk

Lateral MiniBand Skater Walk

This is an exercise we integrate into our warm-ups to help reinforce a low skating position and strong push-off. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin Neeld, PhD (@kevinneeld) A common problem you see in less efficient skaters is that they adopt a wider stance and their stance leg collapses inward slightly,… Read more

Speed Training: Med Ball Chest Pass w/ Step

Speed Training: Med Ball Chest Pass w/ Step

In a previous post, I mentioned that limitations in speed development can be identified by asking the below questions: 1️⃣ Can the player get into the right positions?2️⃣ Can the player hold the right positions?3️⃣ Can the player push out of the deep positions?4️⃣ Can the player “explode” out of deep positions?5️⃣ Can the player… Read more

Increasing Rate of Force Development

Increasing Rate of Force Development

Maximizing intended contraction speed leads to decreased recruitment threshold of high force motor units, increased doublet firing, and increased rate of force development (ROFD). This is true even with isometric contractions, so this strategy can be used in a variety of ways – from improving strength through sticking points to maximizing ROFD in specific ranges… Read more

Kevin Neeld

Kevin Neeld Knows Hockey

Kevin has rapidly established himself as a leader in the field of physical preparation and sports science for ice hockey. He is currently the Head Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins, where he oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery. Prior to Boston, Kevin spent 2 years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the San Jose Sharks after serving as the Director of Performance at Endeavor Sports Performance in Pitman, NJ. He also spent 5 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with USA Hockey’s Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, and has been an invited speaker at conferences hosted by the NHL, NSCA, and USA Hockey.