Dr. Bracko works as a strength and conditioning consultant with many hockey teams and hockey players.

  • Sports physiologist for the University of Alberta Women's Hockey Team - 1999 to Present. On & Off-Ice Fitness and Skating Testing.

  • Strength & Conditioning coach for the U.S. Men's Deaf Olympic Hockey Team, and the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association - 1998 - Present.

  • Dr. Bracko has been on the staff of three U.S. Deaf Olympic Hockey Teams: 1) 2007 Salt Lake City - Gold Medal, 2) 2003 Sundsval, Sweden - Bronze Medal, and 3) 1999 Davos, Switzerland - Silver Medal.

  • 2008 Under 18 Team Alberta Women's Hockey Team.

  • 2007/2008 Midget 'AAA' Flames.

Players:

  • Nolan Sauve - Wheatland Midgets

  • Todd Callahan - Strathmore Midget 'AAA' Bisons

  • Chris Dowling - Canmore Eagles, AJHL

  • Brandon Rommens - Strathmore Midget 'AAA' Bisons

  • Doug Jessey - Drumheller Dragons, AJHL

  • Curtis Williams - Lloydminister Midget 'AAA'

  • Levi Nelson - Drafted by Boston Bruins, Currently playing for Providence Bruins, AHL

  • Josh Rahme - Iowa State University (American Collegiate Hockey Association)

  • Justin (Newtown, Connecticut)

  • Jared Stern (Calgary, AB.) - Calgary Royals Jr A (Alberta Junior Hockey League)

  • Hayley Wickenheiser - Dr. Bracko worked with Hayley in 1996 and during the 1996/07 season. Hayley has been a member of the Canadian National Women's Team since she was 15 years old. Hayley has played in three Olympics: 1998 Nagano, 2002 Salt Lake City and 2006 Torino.

  • Shannon Miller - Dr. Bracko worked with Coach Miller at the Olympic Oval Female Hockey Program. Coach Miller was the 1998 Canadian Olympic Team Coach and is currently the Head Coach of the University of Minnesota - Duluth Female Hockey.

  • The year before the 1998 Nagano Olympics Dr. Bracko worked with the members of the Canadian Women’s National Team who participated in the Olympic Oval Female Hockey Program in Calgary:

    • Hayley Wickenheiser

    • Danielle Goyette

    • Stacy Wilson

    • Lesley Reddon

    • Kelly Bechard

    • Jennifer Botterill

    		 

     

  • Rob Matsuoka - referee in several leagues: WHL, CIAU, AJHL, ACAC, & IHL. Referee in two IIHF Men's World Hockey Championships.

  • Krys Kolanos - Number one draft choice by Phoenix Coyotes in 2000. Played college hockey at Boston College and made the HOCKEY EAST All-Rookie Team in 1999/2000.

General Information

General strength and conditioning will help any hockey player. Improvement of strength and conditioning will enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.

  • Any athlete, male or female, of any age, can safely engage in a strength and conditioning program. There is no proof that a well designed, safe, and supervised weight training program is harmful for young hockey players.

  • The strength and conditioning program must be well supervised to decrease the risk of injury. Young hockey players should never weight train unsupervised. Young hockey players must be taught proper lifting techniques and never to lift maximum weight.

  • Improper lifting techniques and weights falling from racks and bars are the causes of most weight training injuries.

    (National Strength and Conditioning Association, 1996, Position Statement)

Detailed Information