Hockey skating has come a long way in these 30 years. We now have sophisticated methods to measure speed, acceleration, body angles, edge angles, knee bend, etc. Players circle and weave, give and go. Defenders rush as if they were forwards, forwards play back to cover for the rushing defenders. The game is faster every year. Players are bigger, stronger, faster and highly skilled. Girls and women are playing the sport and getting better every year. Players who can't keep up have little chance of making it at the highest levels. Every hockey school, almost every rink, offers some form of power skating instruction. I'm teaching my second, even third-generation of players-the children and grandchildren of former students who seek me out to teach their young ones.

The 2001 All Star Event featured a skating competition won by Billy Guerin. He was clocked at 29 mph. This would have been unheard of 30 years ago. I wonder how fast the game will be 30 years from now?

The sport has come a long way, and as the skill level continues to increase hockey will become even more exciting. I feel very fortunate to have been there early on, to have catalyzed its development, and in the process, influenced so many lives.

By Laura Stamm © November, 2001