Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there tryouts for the Steel?

No. The Steel is a skills based program that is designed to meet the needs of highly motivated athletes who are willing to absorb the direction of our skill coaches. Our athletes train together over the 12 week program. Players are then slotted onto a tournament team as the spring progresses. Our staff does its best to pair players with a potential tournament that is best suited for their skill level.  Not all players participate in tournaments, another reason the Steel does not have a tryout process. 

How Do I Sign Up For The Steel?

• Fill out the Information Request Form at the bottom of the page      ** Or **
• Players interested in the Steel Program should email Info@mjtotalhockey.com with their current team, playing level (Aaa/Aa/A), birth year, and position. The Steel program does not hold tryouts and accepts athletes on an application process only. We do not believe in tryouts as we are more focused on training. It is our belief and philosophy that players will reach their full potential through practice and training in the offseason. The volume of reps and touches that our players attain during a skills session, is unequivocally more valuable than the development attained from any one tournament that a player attends. 

What To Expect From the Steel Program:

Steel training sessions are 60-75 minutes in duration and encompass a variety of different training models. Each training session offers a unique opportunity for our athletes to train with some of the best players and coaches from our region.  Skill sessions typically begin with a power skating element, followed by station work, and finish with a wide variety of small area games.  Each week presents our athletes with a different skill development theme.  Each player will receive 15+ hours of on ice training in the following areas: skills, drills, and game play.  Our "In Program "4v4 Tournament" is our version of a 3v3 tournament. Players in similar age groups are slotted into different teams with kids from the Steel program only. Players then compete in an action packed 3v3 tournament. The 3v3/4v4 Tournaments are a staple of the Steel program and one of the highlights of the program. 

Skill sessions will focus on but are not limited to the following development areas:

• Power Skating
• Overspeed Training
• Shooting - * Forehand * Backhand * 1 & 2 Touch Shots * One-timers *
• Puck Handling + Passing
• Hockey IQ - Strategy Work and Game Cognitive Development Strategies through Small Area Games
• Position Specific Training - Every 3rd week skill sessions incorporate position specific skill work catered to our athletes skills and needs

The program provides position specific training, "4v4 In Program Tournament", and a potential tournament add on option for most of it's players. Tournament play is not a guarantee nor is it a requirement of the program to participate.  Our staff does attempt to place as many players as possible in various tournaments throughout the spring.   To reiterate training is our #1 priority each and every spring.  The Steel's primary focus is on skill development and training.  The program offers the flexibility for players to participate in other spring sports in conjunction with our program.

What does A Typical Steel Training Session Look Like?

• Steel practices typically start with an overspeed full ice skating circuit that is about 15-25 Minutes.
• The circuits can involve straight power skating OR Full ice skating patterns with a combination of edgework, stick handling, and shooting built into every rep. Players are fully engaged in challenging every aspect of their game while developing on ice spatial awareness
• Players are then broken down into 3-5 groups for station based training
  • Station based training focuses on small player to coach ratios of 6 or 7 skaters to 1 Coach. 
  • Each station attacks a different skill set that we believe will benefit each player individually.
  • The station based model allows for a maximum amount of reps per player
  • We do have specific weeks where the station based training is designed for position specific development.
• Each Steel Training session ends with small area game play
  • Small area game play allows for the athletes to then implement the taught skills into game like situations

When and Where Does the Steel train?

Traditionally the Steel trains on Sunday afternoons at Sport-O-Rama in Monsey, NY. Trainings usually run early to mid afternoon on Sundays from Mid-March until Mid June. 

This season we will have some Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday trainings built into our schedule.

What is the "In Program" 3v3/4v4 Tournament?

The "In Program 3v3" Tournament is a program highlight of the Steel and one of the favorite days of the spring for all of our players.

• Players from the Steel program are divided into 4-6 teams and compete in a 1 day Mini 3v3 Tournament. 
• No outside players or teams are in the event
• Prizes are awarded to the winning teams in each age division.
• The tournament typically lasts about 2 hours.
• The 3v3/4v4 events also take place at Sport-O-Rama in Monsey.

What Happens If I Miss A Steel Skill Session?

The training schedule is flexible and players are offered plenty of opportunities to make up a missed session with another age group (Up or Down a Birth Year) 

Do the Steel Play in Tournaments?

• Yes the Steel does compete in various tournaments throughout the northeast.
• We do our best to provide every play an opportunity to play in a tournament but it is not a guarantee of the program.
• We believe in our skill development model and believe the training we offer are what separates us as one of the best programs in the Tri-State Area.
• The Steel believe in expanding training opportunities to a broader range of players which is why we don't make actual teams for the program. 
• We prefer to offer a more expansive range of players the opportunity to train in our program, than we take to actual tournaments.