Kevin Neeld — Hockey Training, Sports Performance, & Sports Science

Thanksgiving Highlights

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year.  With my schedule, I rarely get to spend time with my family, so it’s always good to see them.  For those of you that know me, and think I’m a little weird at times (you know, on days that end in ‘y’), I think my character is easily explained by my heritage.  Notable Thanksgiving moments:

1) We’ll start off with the most pleasant.  My dog, Gus, cleared the room with an exceptional release of gas. 

Yes, for such a little animal, he packs a punch.  This is a picture of him shortly after odorously offending the masses.  Apparently he didn’t see what the big deal was.  This is how weiner dogs celebrate…

2) My grandpa commenting that the Seahawks’ jerseys didn’t do much for him.  “They look like a bunch of giant ninja turtles.” Ninja turtles losing to Cowboys….I don’t think so.

3) My dad while looking at one of my kettlebells, “What the hell is that thing? It looks like Mickey Mouse…”.

                                        

 

 

 

 

The resemblance is uncanny…

4) My grandma makes the best pie ever (yes, better than your grandma).  After a day of lounging and eating, it’s a mental struggle to decide which kind to indulge in.  I saved myself the struggle this year.  I know before and after pictures are big in the fitness industry.

Pie (Before)

Pie (After)

Nobody thought I could do it.  They were wrong.

You may be thinking, “what does any of this have to do with training hockey players?”  Everything! Gus taught us that a lack of size does not mean a lack of power (important for the smaller players out there).  Grandpa taught us…well, we always enjoy his company.  And the pie taught us to never let someone tell you that you can’t achieve something.  WIth the right amount of determination (and whipped cream) and the mind state that failure is not an option, you can achieve anything. 

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving!  

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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.