Has USA Hockey surpassed Hockey Canada in the way of training innovation? Its certainly up for debate in light of the success our southern neighbours are experiencing in the junior ranks. wholesale nfl jerseys . According to the American hockey program, some of its recent successes are directly attributable to a cognitive training program it has instituted at all levels. Appearing as a guest Feb. 14 on TSN Radio 990s Game Points, USA Hockey Under 18 Mens Head Coach and former NHLer Danton Cole was singing the praises of IntelliGym (www.intelligym.com), a program developed by Israeli firm Applied Cognitive Engineering. The former Jets draft pick was on to discuss his career, the return of hockey to Winnipeg and the unique mental training program. "Its a program thats used an awful lot with flight and flight training, trying to get some deep learning and hard wiring of the brain in certain areas. Guys usually get engaged with the program in the summer before they start with us," said Cole, a Stanley Cup winner in 1995 with the New Jersey Devils. Essentially, IntelliGym is a six week cognitive training program, whereby players play a series of video games designed to improve players reaction in certain game situations, as well as improve their awareness of their surroundings. "We look at IntelliGym in a holistic way. Between sports psychology and cognitive learning, we feel theyre definitely underutilized (in training)." Originally developed for fighter pilots and NASA tested, the IntelliGym program is also being used by the NCAAs Air Force Academy Falcons Hockey Team. In addition, the NCAAs Memphis Tigers Basketball Team has also used the cognitive software. Through USA Hockeys strong advocacy of the program, IntelliGym is being recommended to organized minor hockey teams across the United States. But the mental learning tool is just scratching the surface in Canada. To date, Hockey Canada has not instituted the training tool. IntelliGym did confirm to TSN that Concordia Universitys Mens Hockey Team will begin with the program this summer, becoming the first CIS team in the country to do so. Simon Fraser Universitys Womens Hockey Club, a grassroots team playing in a Senior A league in B.C., with aspirations to elevate to a higher league, has also confirmed that they will begin with the program in 2012. "Were very intrigued by the IntelliGym and our players and coaching staff are very eager to started with the program this summer," explained Concordia Stingers Hockey Head Coach Kevin Figsby. Cole went on to say that the biggest difference between the AHL and the NHL isnt about player speed or size, its about the pace at which plays are being made, the decision-making requirements, and thats where he believes programs like the IntelliGym can really make a difference. Both the USA Under 17 and Under 18 teams won gold medals back in 2011 at the Four Nations Cup tournaments in Sweden and Russia, respectively. "If you can improve by five or ten percent and make those decisions a little quicker, and youre right at the edge of playing in the NHL or AHL, it (IntelliGym) is a tool that guys would be crazy not to use," said Cole, a former draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets. Matthew Ross is the host of Game Points with Matthew Ross, Tuesdays and Sundays on TSN Radio 990. Follow him @TSNmatthew. wholesale jerseys .One of those include the fact that the Broncos will be wearing their famous Orange Uniforms on Super Sunday.That got us at BarDown thinking, what were their other options? Apparently they have a lot, including the beauty above. cheap jerseys from china . LOUIS -- The St.ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Americans had a lot of newcomers on the score sheet Wednesday in their 6-3 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs in American Hockey League action. Rasmus Ristolainen scored his first two goals of the season, Johan Larsson got his first, Kevin Porter scored his second and third goals of the campaign and Jamie Tardiff got his second. Porter opened the scoring in the first period, and made it 4-2 Rochester (8-7-4) with a power-play goal in the third. Jamie Tardiffs short-handed goal at 2:55 into the second period gave the AAmericans a 2-0 lead. cheap nfl jerseys. Ristolainen got his first AHL goal on the power play at 15:35 of the second period to give the home team a 3-1 lead, and he scored shorthanded into an empty net in the final minute. Christian Thomas had a goal and helped set up Morgan Ellis and Martin St. Pierre to account for the Hamilton (9-8-3) scoring. For Thomas and Ellis, it was their second goals of the season. St. Pierres was his fourth. Nathan Lieuwen made 24 saves for Rochester, while Dustin Tokarski turned back 23 shots for the Bulldogs. ' ' '
