General strength and conditioning will help any hockey player. Improvement of strength and conditioning will enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.

• Any athlete, male or female, of any age, can safely engage in a strength and conditioning program. There is no proof that a well designed, safe, and supervised weight training program is harmful for young hockey players.

• The strength and conditioning program must be well supervised to decrease the risk of injury. Young hockey players should never weight train unsupervised. Young hockey players must be taught proper lifting techniques and never to lift maximum weight.

• Improper lifting techniques and weights falling from racks and bars are the causes of most weight training injuries.

(National Strength and Conditioning Association, 1996, Position Statement)