About David Pollitt

A former nationally ranked athlete in both cross country skiing and triathlon, Coach Pollitt brings a wealth of experience to clients he coaches.  He holds a degree in Physical Education from the University of Manitoba and is a graduate of the Olympic Academy of Canada.  David is certified with distinction from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.  David has professional coaching certifications in weightlifting (both in Canada & the USA), intermediate levels in hockey and track & field, and is a master coach in cross country skiing.  He has had internships at the Calgary Olympic Development Association High Altitude Camp and with the Canadian National Team Development Centre.  Throughout the years Coach Pollitt has won several awards such as the 3M Coaching Award for work with minor hockey in Canada and he was part of the Eastern College Coaching Staff of the Year (for work with Duquesne University).

His client list ranges from all varieties of athletes from amateur to the professional ranks.  He has worked with Duquesne University, The Banff Hockey Academy, The Canmore Eagles, along with a number of corporate clients such as Taco Bell and TAB Answer Network.  His owns several human performance companies such as  DP Hockey, Revolution Athletics (a hockey specific training facility in Orange County, California), and Optimal Performance, which all work with a number of clients in the pursuit of improving conditioning and sport performance.  David has submitted his original research and ideas with articles in popular journals and magazines as Training and Conditioning Magazine, Hockey & Skating Magazine, the Strength and Conditioning Journal, and the Performance Training Journal.  David is the former assistant editor and reviewer for the Performance Training Journal, and is a peer reviewer for the Strength and Conditioning Journal.  His first book "The Hockey Dryland Manual" is due out in early 2009. 

Partial List of Hockey Players Coached by David Pollitt

Ryan Galloway - NHL Linesmen
Stephen Margeson - Memphis Riverkings (CHL), and Lake Erie Monsters (AHL)
Justin Todd - Lebanon Valley College (NCAA), New Mexico Scorpions (CHL)
Mark Thomas - Sheffield Steelers (English Elite Hockey League)
Taka Hoshino - Sacred Heart University (NCAA)
Mykul Haun - Plymouth State (NCAA), Richmond Renegades (SPHL)
Evan Affleck - Lebanon Valley College (NCAA), Amarillo Gorillas (CHL)
Andrew Volkening - Air Force Academy (NCAA)
Joey Ammon - Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL), Army Black Knights (NCAA)
Dan Gableman - Boston University (NCAA)
Clint Hazen - Duquesne University (NCAA)
Justin Anonas - Wentworth Institute (NCAA)
Jay Seals - Castleton Spartans (NCAA)
Nick Kooiker - Williams Lake Timberwolves (BCHL), Eastern Washington University (NCAA)
Takuya Mihara - Waseda University (Japan)
Tyler Doherty - Langley Hornets (BCHL), Concordia University (CIAU)
Matt Korotva - Langley Hornets (BCHL), Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Lonnie Erasmus - Winkler Flyers (MJHL)
Pat Voll - La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)
KJ Haas - Hartford Junior Wolfpack (AJHL)
Alejandro Anievas - Mexican National Team
Brian LaBarbera - UAlbany (MCHA)
James Raymond - Richmond Sockeyes (PIJHL)
Trevor Hunt - Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
Garet Hunt - Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Ciaran Mulhall - Duquesne University (NCAA)
Milton Freeman - Harringay Racers (English Elite Hockey League)
Mike Noble - Powell River Kings (BCHL)
Micah Pyde - Duquesne University (NCAA)
Stewart Sacharuk - Concordia University (CIAU)
Mike Heath - Duquesne University (NCAA)
Mike Papciak - Duquesne University (NCAA)

Partial List of Athletes Coached by David Pollitt

JP Lapointe - Canadian Champion Mountain Biker, Top 10 Canadian Nordic Skier
Chera Ghidoni - Canadian National Team Biathlete 1992-96
John Wilkie - 2-time Junior Canadian Champion Nordic Skier
Glenn Bond - Professional Nordic Ski Racer
Shannon Dikkema - 2003 NCAA Skiing All Academic Team, Northern Michigan
Marisa Randall-Gryz - National Cross Country Skiing Development Team

Questions for David

Question:  My name is George and I am the trainer of my sons hockey team (the Richmond Hill Stars Novice AA).  On the weekend we had our first tournament and had a situation where the kids had a 10am game where they came out completely flat, disoriented, and lacking energy and competitiveness.  They lost big time.  The next game they had at 5:30pm and they were a completely different team.  In fact it was their best game.  I am sure you have been asked before, but the parents are asking me why and how does this happen and what can be done for the next tournament.  What do we do?

Answer:  A lot of circumstances determine a team's performance in a tournament but there are certainly things that can be done for future tournaments.  Here is a list of things I would make sure you look into:

• Many times kids do not get enough sleep before a 2 or 3 day tournament.  They are often traveling and staying in hotels which cause all kinds of issues.  To combat this make sure the kids get a good nights sleep the day before they go to the tournament (say Thursday night).  The night before the tournament the coaches and parents need to ensure "lights out" at a decent hour so that the kids can get at least 8 full hours of sleep.

• Nutrition is perhaps the biggest issue with early morning performance.  After a nights sleep players have essentially "fasted" for at least 10 to 14 hours (depending on their last meal the night before).  Simply having a bowl of cereal or some pancakes is not nearly enough.  Two and a half hours before game time players should consume protein and complex carbohydrates with a little bit of fat (to stabilize blood glucose levels and provide long term energy) such as eggs, ham, fat free bacon, fruit, cottage cheese.  High sugar meals like cereal, pancakes, and even potatoes are definitely out. 

• Sixty minutes before the game players have to "fill the tank" but consuming a protein and carbohydrate meal with little fat.  This is the perfect time to have a Protein Shake (with juice, protein powder and mixed fruit).  This will provide the energy they will need without upsetting the stomach.

• Between the periods players should keep drinking water but also drink a small glass of orange juice.  The juice has all the carbohydrates they will need to sustain energy levels (this was a favorite drink of Mark Messier between periods).  High sugar drinks like Power Aide or Gatorade will often cause stomach troubles as it's too high in sugar and can cause cramping. 

• After the game is another time to consume a protein shake, energy bar, or fruit as soon as possible following the end of the game.  When the team is finished in the dressing room is now time to take in another meal (60 to 90 minutes post game) to fuel up for the next game in the tournament.

• Coaches need to ensure a proper warm-up before the game.  A good dryland and on ice warm-up with some sprinting, running stairs or bodyweight exercises is essential.  During this time the coaching staff and trainers need to evaluate the players to get a sense of how the team is feeling and make adjustments as necessary.  Even an NHL team can have one or two players who come out flat for a game, but if a team on the whole is flat you can blame the coaching staff for not getting the players ready to compete (both mentally and physically).

• Finally it is important to note sometimes in a tournament you simply face a team that is much superior to your team and it shuts down all offense and dominates the defence.  I have had teams very prepared for a game in Junior hockey only for them to come out and loose by 8 goals.  Losses do happen and that's time to take what you can from those games and prepare hard for the next games and the remainder of the season. 

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