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