Dr. Bracko works as a strength and conditioning consultant with many hockey teams and hockey players. He is the exercise physiologist for the University of Alberta Women's Hockey team, the U.S. Men's Deaf Olympic Hockey Team, and the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association. Dr. Bracko has been on the staff of three Deaf Olympic Hockey Teams: 1) 2007 Salt Lake City, 2) 2003 Sundsval, Sweden, and 3) 1999 Davos, Switzerland.

Players:

  • Nolan Sauve (Gleichen, AB.) - Strathmore Midgets

  • Brandon Rommens (Strathmore, AB.) - Strathmore Midget 'AAA' Bisons

  • Doug Jessey (Langdon, AB.) - Strathmore Midget 'AAA' Bisons

  • Curtis Williams (Kitscotty, AB.) - Lloydminister Midget 'AAA'

  • Levi Nelson (Calgary, AB.) - Swift Current Broncos (Western Hockey League), Drafted by Boston Bruins

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

  • Justin (Newtown, Connecticut)

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

Krys Kolanos (Calgary, AB.) Calgary Buffalos Midget 'AAA.' 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.

Hayley Wickenheiser (Calgary, AB.). Dr. Bracko worked with Harley 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 lead the Canadian Women's Olympic team to Gold Medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and the 2006 Torino Olympics.

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 High Performance Female Hockey Program in Calgary:

  • Hayley Wickenheiser

  • Danielle Goyette

  • Stacy Wilson

  • Lesley Reddon

  • Kelly Bechard

  • Jennifer Botterill

 

Their coach in the Oval Program was Shannon Miller who was the Canadian National Team Coach and is currently the Head Coach of the University of Minnesota - Duluth Female Hockey Team. (Web Site: www.umdbulldogs.com)

Dr. Bracko also worked as a strength and conditioning consultant for Rob Matsuoka who is a referee in several leagues: WHL, CIAU, AJHL, ACAC, & the IHL. Rob officiated the 2001 NHL Prospects Game in Calgary and the 2001 Under 18 World Championships in Finland.

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