Player Development
USA Hockey
The basis for the St. Paul Capitals player development is the American Development Model (ADM). The ADM was created by USA Hockey as a baseline for all hockey associations across the country to develop players of all ages and abilities. All teams in the Capitals organization leverage the ADM as a way to improve players throughout the season.
The Capitals Way
In mid-2019, the SPCHA started to build off the ADM by creating its own coaches handbook and by leveraging outside development organizations to help grow players’ skills, especially when I comes to skating ability. In 2020, the association will extend that approach by hiring a dedicated Director of Development and additional paid resources. The model will begin to institute appropriate skills based on age and ability. This will include skating, stickhandling, strength and agility and nutrition.