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References:
Richard
"For your interest, my son was at hockey camp this past week and yesterday they had their blue vs. grey game. I was pleasantly surprised to see him, a dyed in the wool stay-at-home defenseman, use his new found speed to rush the puck into the offensive zone. He positioned himself well in front of the net; and the big item - he scored two goals, one of them on a one-timer just as you had practiced with him. He was thrilled and it was a real joy to see the excitement on his face."
Louann, Calgary
"When I picked him up today he got into the car and said "That was awesome, I had so much fun. I really learned a lot because when I did not do something the right way Mike told me and gave me a chance to do it again." He really had a great time and I truly appreciate your inviting him - it was a great experience. You are an exceptional teacher, coach. mentor and motivator. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. You have an exceptional gift and are a pleasure to work with. Thank you!!!!"
Jeff
"As a 30-something adult looking for ways to stay in shape beyond mind-numbing gym routines I decided to start playing rec league hockey around 9 months ago. "Ankle-bender", "wall-crawler", and "pylon" were pretty common ways of describing my skating & hockey skills when I started out. I had been through a 10-week beginner hockey program and a 8-week power skating prior to working with Dr. Mike and learned more in 4 one-hour sessions with him than all my previous courses and games
combined.
Mike is absolutely great at providing feedback; discerning, focussed feedback as opposed to an over-load of instruction which cause over-thinking and impaired learning. He is also very perceptive and adaptive enabling him to pin-point key deficiencies in technique and is creative at finding ways to encourage development. Mike is also a
wonderful communicator & motivator, providing lots of encouragement for this recreational "pylon" to get into the game. I look forward to many more sessions with Dr. Bracko in the future!"
Drew Miller, River City Lancers, USHL, Michigan State, and drafted by Anaheim Ducks.
"The step up from the NAHL to the USHL was significant. The speed and intensity of the game in the USHL are both noticably higher. The improvements I made to my skating technique following Dr. Bracko's analysis and suggestions really helped me make a quick transition to the faster pace of the USHL and will serve me well as I continue to prepare for the jump to the CCHA next year at Michigan State."
Delaney Collins - Canadian National Team and previously with University of Alberta Pandas.
"After spending only one short week with Mike, my stride and shot improved significantly. I went into training camp faster then I have ever been and my shot is noticeably stronger and more accurate. I felt very confident at the National Team camp and have Mike to thank for that."
David Bell, Houston, Texas. Talking about his 15 year old son, Matt:
Matt learned a great deal from you in 4 short days. I am still trying to
lift my jaw back up into place after watching Matt perform the last few cone
exercises with the puck. He has never had that kind of breath-taking speed
with a puck. When he finished his last turn and came flying at the net with
his knees spread and deeply flexed and his feet pushing sideways and his
total focus on shooting...not skating technique, I knew that you had reached
him with your instructions and had given him his best chance of ever of
becoming a high-level hockey player! We are very grateful. I am convinced
that he has your precepts down at this point. More importantly, he is
convinced that he has your lessons learned.
Shannon Miller: 1999-2000 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Coach of the Year
Head Coach, University of Minnesota Duluth, 1999 - Present.
Head Coach, Canadian Women’s National Team, 1994 - 1998
Head Coach, 1998 Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey Team
"Mike Bracko is a consummate professional whose knowledge of high performance skating is unmatched. He has such in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the skating stride that he is able to effectively teach it to enhance skating performance of individuals and teams. He teaches with enthusiasm and truly made a difference with my players. It was a pleasure working with him."
Ron Cridland, MD, Assistant Coach, Chestermere Pee Wee’s:
"I think your instructional program is the best I have seen. You combine scientific knowledge with multimedia. I have never seen that before. You have an excellent grasp of how to teach kids. You ask for and keep their attention. They respect you. You keep them busy. Even your review at the end of practice is something that is not often seen but is a good opportunity for the players to note that they got something out of the practice and to help remember it. At the same time you are combining a cool down lap and you have their attention again. This is notwithstanding the fact that you are an expert in what you teach, which is immediately obvious when you describe why it is important and then demonstrate it with skill. I think the program is excellent. I am continuing to learn important things for myself as well."
Bob, Julie, & Drew Wiens:
Drew Wiens, Ex-Goalie, now studying Economics at the University of Calgary:
"Mike’s program is one of true excellence. Mike has extensive knowledge of the science of training. He always tells you why you are doing something and how it will improve your fitness. He also stresses mental fitness."
Bob & Julie Wiens:
"The physical and psychological preparation you gave Drew extended far and above any expectations we had at the outset of the program. Your strength and conditioning program is exceptional and we would recommend it to anyone wishing to improve his station in life and in sports. Our entire family hold you, and your program, in high regard. We believe your program will continue to benefit any diligent student throughout his or her life. Thank you for making a difference in Drew’s life. He is better able to accept himself as a non-hockey player."
Airdrie "Nutty Housewives Hockey Camp, 2000":
"All of the women who went to the hockey school really enjoyed it and appreciated your teaching skills, enthusiasm and sincerity. No one felt patronized or talked down to and we all really appreciated it.
I saw such in improvement in most of the skaters, especially the weaker, or should I say stiffer skaters."
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to my friend and colleague, Delia Roberts, Ph.D., FACSM, exercise scientist and instructor at Selkirk College, Castlegar, B.C., for the use of her Polar Heart Rate Monitors. IHR uses these Heart Rate Monitors to evaluate the heart response of the U of A Female Players during on-ice testing. We measure how high their heart rates go after a Repeat Sprint Skate Test, then after a recovery of 5 - 6 minutes. The use of these monitors has made the evaluation of the heart rate easier, faster, and much more accurate. Thank you to Les Franklin and the Shaka Franklin Foundation for Youth (Denver, CO.) for the generous donation of a Photoelectric Timing System. With this timing system IHR has been able to get accurate test results of hundreds of hockey players. IHR has used these timers to test the U.S. National Deaf Hockey Team, University of Alberta Female Hockey Team, Peace Air Navigators Jr B Hockey Team, participants in the Stan Mikita Hockey School for the Hearing Impaired as well as numerous participants in research studies. Thank you to Serge von Duvillard, Ph.D., FACSM, for his generous donation of two lactic acid analyzers. With this equipment IHR has been able to undertake more sophisticated research on hockey players. IHR investigates the effects of a season of play on the production, and removal, of lactic acid on the University of Alberta female hockey team. This research would not be possible without the generous donation of Dr. von Duvillard.
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