The final preparation
With less than a week to go before the first game of the 2022-23 season, the players of the Montreal Canadiens organization are beginning their final preparation. The preparation for the upcoming season began as soon as the Rocket were eliminated from the AHL playoffs.
Earlier in September, we went to meet with Stéphane Gervais, the Rocket’s Strength and Conditioning Coach, at the Bell Complex in Brossard, where he works with the organization’s players during the off-season. We wanted to learn more about his role and the physical preparation of the players a few weeks before the start of the season.
The Rocket’s 2021-22 season wrapped up on June 15 in Springfield.
Since then, players have taken time to rest, heal injuries, recover from disappointment, say goodbye, and then the focus shifted to next season.
And the preparation for the next season starts in the summer.
The goal is clear. Do everything to improve, to develop, to win.
Increasing physical strength, improving explosion, gaining muscle mass are all important during summer training, but the most important thing is consistency. Consistency in training is one of the most important elements in order to properly execute your preparation for the season. It is really the key to optimize your training and make sure you are ready in September when the camp starts.
Stéphane Gervais is the Rocket’s Strength and Conditioning Coach since the 2021-2022 season. His role during the summer is to support Dale Lablans, who has the same duties with the Montreal Canadiens.
Many young players and veterans came to the Bell Complex to do their summer training, but also to recover from injuries. It was therefore important for the Sports Science and Performance team to accompany the players in their return on the ice. There was also on-ice sessions with Adam Nicholas and the Hockey Development team. Many of the organization’s players were invited to train at the Bell Complex this summer, so there was plenty of action.
During the off-season, his role is also to stay in touch with the Rocket players. Whether it’s a quick text message here and there, or more frequent contact, he has to make sure he supports them all in their summer training. During the exit interviews, he establishes the needs of the players and according to their needs, his level of involvement is determined. Some players train with coaches during the summer, some prefer to follow a program on their own, while others choose to stay in Brossard with the Canadiens’ staff.
As the summer progresses, training becomes more focused on the components that are most often replicated during game situations, namely speed and power. All of this preparation is done with the goal of being as ready as possible for training camp.
Then camp comes and it’s time to demonstrate all the efforts of the off-season. It’s time to prove yourself to the coaching staff. It’s time to take your place and perform.
The Rocket’s training camp began on Sunday, October 2. The team will play pre-season games in Belleville against Toronto (October 8) and Belleville (October 9).
The season kicks off on Friday, October 14 at Place Bell against the Belleville Senators. Buy your tickets by clicking here.
