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Election Day Clinic 11/5

ELECTION DAY CLINIC

  • November 5, 8:30 AM -12:30 PM @Newington Arena

  • Led by NHLer Ike Corriveau & Goalie Coach Nate Eusko

  • Limited to 30 Skaters & 10 Goalies

  • Ages 6U- 14U

  • Cost: $100.00

Itinerary:

8:15 AM- 8:40 AM
Check-In & Get Dressed for On-Ice

  • Players, both skaters and goaltenders, check in and get dressed for on-ice session #1.

8:50 AM-9:50 AM
On-Ice Session 1: Skating, Puck Control, and Goalie Fundamentals

Skaters:

  • Skating & Edgework: Focus on balance, agility, quick starts, stops, and transitions.
  • Puck Control: Work on stickhandling with speed, puck protection, and improving hand-eye coordination through small area drills.

Goaltenders:

  • Crease Movement & Agility: Focus on lateral movements, quick recoveries, and positioning.

9:50 AM - 10:10 AM
Break & Snack Time

  • Quick break to hydrate and refuel with a light snack.

10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
Off-Ice Activities: Strategy Session & Goalie Skills Breakdown

  • Skaters: Video strategy session on positioning, game awareness, and reading the play.
  • Goaltenders: Goalie-specific group session breaking down save techniques, positioning, and reading shooters’ cues.

10:40 AM-10:50 AM
Get Ready: Players will get ready for on-ice session #2

10:50 AM-11:50 AM
On-Ice Session 2: Shooting & Passing for Skaters, Save Techniques for Goaltenders

  • Skaters: Focus on shooting accuracy, quick release, and different shot techniques (snap, wrist, and slap shots). Passing drills will challenge quick decisions and communication between players.
  • Goaltenders: Work on shot tracking, positioning, and reaction drills, with live shots from skaters during breakaway and odd-man rush situations. Goalie-specific work on controlling rebounds and maintaining focus during high-pressure play.
  • Small-Space Games: Incorporate competitive drills that challenge players to maintain control in tight spaces, emphasizing puck possession and awareness. Goaltender’s challenge will be to maintain optimal positioning and footwork while competing to make saves.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Closing Remarks & Cool Down / Lunch: Final cool-down session with constructive feedback for both skaters and goaltenders. Kids who have packed a lunch or money for the snack bar can eat lunch while they wait for pick up.  

 

Parents plan to arrive for pick-up by 12:00 PM -12:30 PM




Director of Player Development Yvon "Ike" Corriveau

Coach Corriveau continues to lead the Premier Hockey Group & CT Chiefs with 20 years of professional hockey experience including 1200 games from 1985 – 2005.

A first round draft pick in 1985 by the Washington Capitals, Ike played 360 regular season NHL games with the Washington Capitals, the Hartford Whalers and the San Jose Sharks.
Adding to that experience, he also participated in 50 NHL playoff games. In addition, he played 430 regular season games in the IHL and AHL, being part of teams that won both the Calder Cup and Turner Cup. He continued his career in Europe, playing in over 400 games in the DEL (Deutsche Elite League) in Berlin, Germany.

As a Major Junior A player, he played with the Toronto Marlies (OHL), and was a member of Team Canada, highlighted in the World Junior Championship in Piestany, Czechoslovakia alongside fan favorites Brendan Shanahan, Pierre Turgeon, Steve Chiasson, Theron Fluery, and Jimmy Waite.

Since his retirement in 2005, Ike successfully transitioned into a top youth coach. In the spring of 2010 Ike led a very talented 1997 team to its first appearance at the USA Hockey National Championships. These past two seasons Ike has led the U18 Mid Fairfield Chiefs to two back to back appearances at the USA Hockey National Championships and winning the 2017 U18 National Championship. During his tenure as Director of Player Development, Ike has been instrumental in guiding numerous CT Chiefs to Prep, Junior, & College hockey.

Trent Samuels-Thomas
 
Coach Trent is a Certified Power Skating Instructor who has worked with Pro, D1 & 3, and Junior players improve their skating.
 
Since finishing his playing days, Samuels-Thomas has become the Head Coach of the U18 and U10 team for the Connecticut Chiefs. In addition, he is the director of Player development in the Chiefs organization. Samuels-Thomas has been motivated to help the next generation of youth hockey players attain their goals in the sport.
 
As a player, Samuels-Thomas went on to play in the highest level of Canadian Junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He played a season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs before returning to the United States to play Tier-1 Junior hockey in the USHL for The Des Moines Buccaneers and The Omaha Lancers.

In his first year at Des Moines, he registered 15 goals and 17 assists in 58 games. He is most proud of being a part of the first-ever outdoor game in the USHL while playing for the Lancers. In the spotlight on such a monumental occasion, Samuels-Thomas registered two crucial assists in a 4-2 win against the Lincoln Stars in 2013.

Head Goalie Instructor Nate Eusko


Nate Eusko boasts over two decades of expertise as a goaltender coach, honing the skills of goalies across all ages and levels. As the proprietor of Premier Goaltending, Eusko has dedicated more than 15 years to conducting camps, training goaltenders, and consulting for various hockey organizations. His mentorship has paved the way for his students to achieve remarkable careers, from high school triumphs to being drafted into the NHL and becoming starting goaltenders in the AHL.

Eusko's own playing career is decorated with achievements. At East Hartford High School, he earned recognition as an All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention goaltender, in addition to being named a Hartford Whalers Player of the Month. He furthered his success with the Jr Whalers, winning the Eastern Junior Hockey League Championship twice and receiving accolades such as the 7th Player Award and the Agnes Dineen Memorial Award. His collegiate career at Norwich University in Vermont was equally illustrious, where his team claimed three ECAC East regular-season titles, two ECAC East playoff championships, and made two NCAA D3 Final Four appearances, ultimately winning the 2000 NCAA D3 Championship. Eusko personally led D3 goaltenders in wins for a season, was named D3 Goaltender of the Week five times, and received the Coaches Award in his senior year.

As a coach, Eusko has been instrumental in advancing goaltending techniques in the region and within USA Hockey. He served over 15 years as a USA Hockey CEP Instructor and holds a Level 4 designation. His influence spans over 20 years, developing goaltenders throughout Western New England and running goalie programs for numerous youth organizations in Northern Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, and Southern Vermont. Eusko's coaching resume includes stints as an NCAA Division I goalie coach at American International College, as well as roles at Eastern Connecticut State University ACHA, UConn ACHA, Northfield Mt. Hermon Prep School, Springfield Pics Junior Teams, Pope Francis High School (Mass Division 1), South Windsor High School, and Enfield High School.

Eusko's dedication and impact on the sport have made him a cornerstone in the development of goaltenders, shaping the future of hockey one goalie at a time.