PHOTO CREDIT : SCOTT WIGGINS PHOTO CREDIT : TONY SARGENT
SPORTS PERFORMANCE
THE PUCK STOPS HERE
LF : Tennis and Golf . I think both of them helped me to improve my hand eye co-ordination as well as helping me to use other muscles I wouldn ’ t necessarily use playing hockey . LH : Mostly Golf and Tennis for me too . Hand eye co-ordination is a big part of playing Ice Hockey as it helps to control the puck using a stick . Golf and Tennis certainly helped my development . Me and Luke both grew up together in Peterborough with the Phantoms so we would have played these other sports together a lot over the years .
LEWIS HOOK
ML : For any amateur or recreational players out there , what advice would you have for them to improve ? LF : I would tell them to take any advice from reputable sources as they possibly can . The more ice time they can get the better because the only way to improve is to get on the ice and to practice . Regardless of what shape they are in off the ice . LH : Simple - PRACTICE . But they also need to work hard and be totally committed to getting better .
ML : If there are any beginners who want to start playing Ice Hockey what should they do ?? LF : Find their local ice rink first and see what skating times they have available and also what teams they have . Skating lessons are hugely important . If you are a good skater then you can be a good player , the other skills required will come in time . But if you can ’ t skate you ’ ll always struggle . LH : I would say that they need to enjoy the challenge of getting better . Every time they are out on the ice or in the gym getting stronger they should relish the challenge , and like I said in the last question - always work hard .
LUKE FERRARA
ML : Finally , who is going to win that gold medal ? LF : Canada . It ’ s tough to pick anybody else when it comes to Ice Hockey . LH : There are quite a few European sides who are very good at the minute , such as Sweden , Finland and Russia . But as Luke says , it ’ s difficult to look beyond Canada . ___________
You can follow Lewis (@ lewishook1 ) and Luke (@ minifeds19 ) on Instagram or Twitter , or head down to Planet Ice in Milton Keynes or the Skydome Arena in Coventry to see them in action .
The 2018 Winter Olympic Ice Hockey schedule gets under way on 14th February , but will Canada be taking the gold medal on 25th February as predicted ?
128 MUSCLE & FITNESS / MARCH 2018