Photo courtesy of Swamphockey.com
Estero, Fla.– The Florida Everblades had a demanding and successful season. On Wednesday, May 23 they lifted the Kelly Cup for the first time in franchise history. The Everblades concluded the series with the Las Vegas Wranglers, winning four games to one. While the team has required its fair share of dental work this season it’s total number of injuries has been limited. The key: good conditioning and it all starts at Athletic Republic.
In 2010 the Florida Everblades brought on Athletic Republic-Germain Arena as their strength and speed partner. The Athletic Republic staff employs a three pronged approach to maximizing an athletes potential: TEST, TEACH and TRAIN.
At the start of every season the Everblades players go through a battery of tests measuring their strength, power and quickness. “A baseline assessment is an integral part of understanding where the players physically are coming into camp,” says Tad O’Had VP of Hockey Athletic Republic. “It gives the coaching and medical staff feedback on what the players have done in the off-season and where they can make potential gains.”
Some of the tools used to measure the force the individual Everblades players are able to exert is the Plyo-Press & 3PQ. The 3PQ is a custom built 3D force platform that is then mounted to the Plyo-Press. This allows the Athletic Republic training staff to accurately measure the lower body power output during movements specific to hockey.
Returning Everblades had the advantage of a customized off-season training manual provided by the Athletic Republic staff at the end of the previous season. The manual gives players the tools to enter training camp in optimal condition.
At Athletic Republic we have the athlete down to a science TM.The Florida Everblades get the benefit of state-of-the-art technology only available at Athletic Republic, such as the Hockey Treadmill. The HTM is a specially lubricated, ice-like surface which trains hockey players to become more powerful and efficient skaters. The Hockey Treadmill has the ability to tilt to a 32% grade and reaches speeds up to 16 miles per hour.
In their 14-year history the Florida Everblades have made two previous bids for the Kelly Cup, but this year it was a little different. “The addition of Athletic Republic has provided our players the ability to stay healthy, increase speed, quickness and maintain strength in-season,” stated Greg Poss head coach of the Florida Everblades. “The ECHL has a demanding travel schedule and to stay healthy during the season with the help of Athletic Republic is instrumental.”
Athletic Republic also provides the Florida Everblades team with:
- daily training periodized and structured according to seasonal practice and game
- in season strength rehabilitation
- individualized skating sessions on the HTM
- Regeneration and recovery training
- Nike Vapor Strobe training for goaltenders
