In the heart of Varennes, Quebec, at the deserted SportPlex de l’énergie ice rink, a hockey legend is hard at work preparing for the upcoming NHL season. Marc-Andre Fleury, a seasoned veteran of 20 years, is putting in the work to ensure he’s in top form when training camps open across North America.
Fleury can be seen darting back and forth in his crease, with a stick in one hand and an elastic band attached to a flywheel machine in the other. As he performs butterfly pushes, the resistance of the pulley attached to the net post challenges him, but he pushes through with determination. His longtime strength coach, Paul Gagne, provides encouragement in a mix of French and English, filling the empty rink with echoes of motivation.
The dynamic duo of Fleury and Gagne has been a powerhouse pair since they first met in 2000 when Fleury was just 16 years old. For nearly two decades, they have been working together every summer, fine-tuning Fleury’s skills and preparing him for the grueling NHL season ahead. Their current regimen is what Gagne refers to as “gym-on-ice,” the final stage of offseason preparations before the real action begins.
With goalies everywhere wrapping up their summer training programs, the focus is shifting towards ensuring they are primed and ready for the challenges of the upcoming season. Maria Mountain, a renowned goalie trainer from Ontario, emphasizes the importance of functional, on-ice strength for goalies as the summer draws to a close. Exercises like overcoming isometrics help goalies build power and hone their skills for the demands of the game.
As the summer winds down, the emphasis for goalies shifts towards power and velocity on the ice. While earlier workouts focused on building stamina and strength, the final weeks before training camp are all about fine-tuning movements and increasing power.
Speaking on the importance of power, Gagne explains, “You need elasticity in your tissues. When you do flywheel workouts mixed with plyometrics, it builds the elasticity of your tissues, especially in the ankles, and that dictates power.” Fleury, who trains with Gagne five times a week in August, understands the importance of maximizing the elasticity of his tissues to achieve peak performance on the ice.
Despite the challenges of a unique offseason, Fleury remains focused on his training to ensure he’s ready when the puck drops for the start of the NHL season. With determination and dedication, Fleury is gearing up for another exciting chapter in his storied career, driven by his passion for the game and his commitment to excellence.
