Testimonials for Coach Pollitt

“I trained under Dave for the 3 years when I played for the Banff Hockey Academy and I still use his training programs and ideas in my training today.  My development as a hockey player to the level I am was not possible without Dave’s support.” Takuya Mihara Waseda University Ice Hockey Team, Japan

“Thank you for all your help and guidance." Stephen Margeson Professional Hockey Player Lake Erie Monsters, (AHL)

“Thank you for everything you have done for me.  I am a better player thanks to you!” Tyler Doherty,  Concordia University CIS Ice Hockey player

"Your training and belief in me has helped a lot in my college hockey success and as I prepare for NHL tryouts.  Thanks a million!" Justin Todd New Mexico Scorpions (CHL) Lebanon College Flying Dutchmen (NCAA D-III)

"Dave has helped me become an all around stronger player with his innovative training methods that keep me in the gym and excited to workout.  He has helped me get to the next level of hockey with his inspiring attitude, and his motivation in the gym.  Without his level of expertise I would not be able to perform at the level I am at now." Justin Anonas Wentworth Technical Institute NCAA Division III Ice Hockey

“I worked with Dave for three years and learned a great deal about weight training and specifically training for hockey.  He took my hockey abilities to another level and taught me a lot both in the weight room and out of it.  I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me.  It made the transition to college hockey a lot easier, and I still use his programs now that I'm at the college level.” Jay Seals Starting Goaltender Castleton Spartans NCAA Division III Ice Hockey

“I have noticed a great deal of improvement in many of our players both on the ice and off with the strength and conditioning program you did for our Duquesne Ice Dukes Hockey Program.  It has helped us compete at a higher level.  We are confident that your contribution will help us compete for a National title.”

Dave Shondeck
Head Coach
Duquesne University Ice Hockey

“I have been using your training methods with my pro team in Manchester and my teammates are starting to join me with workouts.  I am so much stronger and faster thanks to you.” Mark Thomas Sheffield Steelers/London Racers/Manchester Phoenix  (EIHL) English Elite Hockey League

"Dave was my trainer for 3 years, and throughout that time he prepared me for an elite level of hockey.  His training increased my speed, balance, and overall strength, and very few people can out muscle me on the ice.  Over the years Dave has been an immense influence on my off ice training and a great mentor"

Pat Voll
Junior A Hockey Player
(SJHL) La Ronge Ice Wolves

“I was lucky enough to have Dave as a Strength and Conditioning Coach while at the Banff Hockey Academy.  After the academy, Dave designed a 5 month summer program for me to help prepare for my upcoming NCAA hockey season.  After the summer, I saw incredible results:

All of the body weight gains were lean, and I improved in cardio and anaerobic performance as well.  Most importantly, my on ice improvements were phenomenal thanks to Dave.  I was named All-Conference Goalie of the Year my first two seasons in college.  I have continued using Dave’s programs since he joined the Duquesne University Coaching Staff, and now I am preparing for pro tryouts this summer.  He was so inspirational, in fact, that I am now pursuing a career in Sports Science to follow in his footsteps.

Clint Hazen
Duquesne University Ice Hockey

“Thanks for all the programs and advice.  You’re awesome!” Nick Kooiker Eastern Washington University NCAA Division III Ice Hockey

“David has achieved tremendous results in strength improvement for the individual athletes of the Banff Hockey Academy.  I have witnessed through personal observation the great strides that these young athletes have made because of his hands on coaching and dedication.  He is able to get young high school athletes to believe in the importance of strength improvement as a means to greater success in hockey.”

John Petroff
Physical Education Teacher
Banff Community High School, Banff, Alberta

“Dave is a person who believes and understands the true spirit of sport.  His enthusiasm, creativity, broad perspective and extensive sport background in sport combined with his education make him a resource every athlete should use!”

Tom Huisman, MBA
Director of Operations and Development
Canadian Interuniversity Sport, Ottawa Ontario

"Thanks for all your help Dave in our success these past years!" Mike Papciak All-Time Leading Scorer Duquesne University Ice Dukes

“I remember running through the mountains, a wide variety of weight training, all kinds of dryland workouts with the medicine balls, ladders, sleds, plyometrics, balls, and other ungodly things.  The training really did get me into the best shape of my life. I think that Dave’s workouts kick serious freakin’ ass.”

Brian La Barbera
UAlbany Ice Hockey (MCHC League)

“I got some unbelievable results from your programs.  Thanks for all your help!”  Ciaran Mulhall Duquesne University Ice Dukes

“I feel that David’s programs will not only increase our strength but our conditioning as well.  I know first hand that this will help us to prepare for the national tournament.  Thanks again!” 

Tim Bosack
Assistant Coach
Duquesne University Ice Hockey 

“As an athlete working with David Pollitt was one of the best experiences I have had with a strength and conditioning coach.  Everything we did was extremely innovative and sport specific which enhanced my teammates and my own performance on and off the ice.  The most creative workouts I have ever done were part of David Pollitt's ab-ball work-outs. I spent about a half hour at the end of every lift practicing on the ab-ball.  First we learned just how to kneel on it and balance by ourselves, followed by abdominal conditioning.  Slowly but surely Dave pushed us to learn how to jump onto the ball and balance without using our hands.  By the end of my time with Dave I was able to readily stand up onto an ab-ball without using my hands and do squats on it with weights he handed me, pass a ball back and forth while just standing on the ball, and juggle while standing on the ball, as well as jumped onto a ball that was thrown at me and stop it and balance on it at the same time with my knees.  David Pollitt's knowledge of athletes allowed him to push my teammates and I to optimal levels of strength and conditioning.  Using team based techniques in off-ice training such as indian runs, races up the Centre Hill, and position specific training helped me to walk onto the Boston University Hockey team in 2002-2003.  Although i was cut after my first season, when it came to strength and conditioning, technique, and hard-work I was able to show that i was in the top echelon of Division 1 athletes.  David Pollitt was a great strength and condtioning coach because of his knowledge in his field.  Dave could read althletes, knowing how and when to push them and when to give them a break.  Also, working out with many coaches it was a plearse that Dave is not just concerned with the team as a whole, he takes time with each individual to make sure they reach their potential.”

Dan Gableman 
Boston University Terriers
(NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey)

“Dave worked with me for years and helped me prepare for racing on the international circuit.  I owe him a lot as a mentor and as a friend.”

Chera Ghidoni
Canadian Military Biathlon Team, 1992-96

“Thanks for being a great coach, trainer and most of all, a friend.” John Accardo  Junior B Hockey Player Banff Flying Icemen

"For me, working with Dave has definitely provided the right base to move on to the next level.  I got a lot stronger and bigger while keeping up, or even improving my agility and flexibility.  Dave was a great trainer to work with and I'm grateful for his good work and help."

KJ Haas
Junior A Hockey Player
Hartford Junior Wolfpack (AJHL)

“David has a lengthy list of achievements, volunteer experiences, sport specific education and a variety of work experiences that help him as a professional in the health and fitness industry.”

Dennis Hrycaiko, Ph.D.
Dean, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies
The University of Manitoba 

"Dave, I wanted to write and tell you that the program you sent us really was a well put together program.  I like the workloads you outline in the different phases and I think you have the right training phases at the right times.  Well done!"

Adam Culligan, BPE, BEd
Athletic Director
Banff Hockey Academy

"David has a unique talent for getting the most consistent results because of his complete understanding of all the many facets of training.  His approach to varying the routines and style keep the workouts from becoming stale.  The mechanics to mental aspects of training including nutrition and work ethics of his cliental are part of his complete approach to fitness training.”

Glenn Baldwin
Owner, Design Form Inc. and former champion hang-glider
Los Angeles, CA

"I originally wanted to work with a personal trainer a couple of sessions just to revitalize my own workout program. However, when I started working with David, his creativity, skill, knowledge and warmth made me want to continue with him.  David pushes me harder than I will push myself and I am getting the results to prove it!"

Cindy DeBerry, PT
Physical Therapist
Tustin, CA

“I have been training with Dave for almost a year and a half.  At 55 years old, I am stronger and in better shape than I was at 35.  I don’t feel this would have happened with a regular “trainer”.  Dave is not “regular” in any way because he gets results.”

John Wyatt
VP Sales, Mag-light
Ontario, CA

“We are effectively using David’s training programs with our program as a handout to our protected list players as well as our returning veterans with great success.”

Bob Miller
Head Coach
(AJHL) Canmore Eagles Junior A Hockey Club

"The off ice training I did with Coach Pollitt gave me the extra edge that I needed to take my game to the next level.” 

Kevin Sheffield
Junior Hockey Player
Banff Hockey Academy 

“Dave always had the best interests of his athletes in mind over anything else. "He is a great coach, mentor, and friend.”

Brett Turner
Junior B Hockey Player
Banff Flying Icemen

David whipped me into shape as I trained for the police academy.  I had never worked out before I met David.  He created a personalized training regiment and I feel confident that I can survive anything the academy might throw at me.

Blake Kunisch
Orange, CA

“David’s programs have helped our hockey team compete at a higher level.  Having done these programs with our players I realize why they work.” 

Kurtis Jones
Head Coach
Canmore Timber Wolves Hockey Team

"Dave [Pollitt] gave me the guidance, confidence and one-on-one time that I needed to reach my goals both in and out of the weight room".

Stephen McNutt, 
Junior B hockey player
Banff Flying Icemen

“My name is Gray Cook and I had a small piece in T&C magazine when you did the Searching for Symmetry article.  I just wanted to commend you on your work and message.  I did a book called Athletic Body in Balance last year and hopefully relayed the same message.  It is good to see this type of work and I just wanted to let you know it was well received.  I hope to see more of your work…”

Gray Cook, MSPT, OCS, CSCS
Director OSPT Dunn, Cook & Associates
Reebok Master Trainer/Coach

“We at the NSCA Commission and its Executive Council sincerely appreciate the recognition that is created by the professional activities of industry leaders like you with your recent articles on training and conditioning.”

Thomas R. Baechle, CSCS
Executive Director
National Strength and Conditioning Association Certification Commission

“You have helped me become a stronger athlete and through that I have realized my potential.  Thanks for everything!”

Sean Keating
Junior A hockey player
Banff Flying Icemen

“I wanted to thank you for your contributions to the 1995 National Coaches Seminar as co-chair of the event.  We could not have put on such a successful seminar without your support.”

Randy Anderson
General Manager
National Coaching Institute (Manitoba)

“For the 5 years Dave worked with the Manitoba Nordic Ski Team he proved himself invaluable as a coach, team leader, and resource for the coaches and athletes of Manitoba.  His enthusiasm and love of skiing has helped carry many of our skiers to better performances at the provincial and national level.”

Ihor Barwinsky
Provincial Coach & Technical Director
Manitoba Nordic Ski Team, Winnipeg, Manitoba

"Dave showed me the correct way to train for hockey.  While training with Dave I was the strongest, leanest, and most conditioned I have ever been.  He knows how to get athletes to the next level and has inspired me to pursue a career in strength and conditioning."

Nicholas Friebel, CSCS
Former Junior B Hockey Player & Current Strength Coach
Chesapeake, VA

“I am impressed with David’s work ethic and professionalism.  He seeks excellence from his athlete clients and himself.  The proof is in his clients' marked improvements in performance.  I've learned a great deal from David and have improved the quality of my own training.”

Ian Gordon, CSCS
Personal Trainer, Mr. Jill’s Body Firm
Tustin, CA

"Thanks Dave for teaching me how to workout and exercise properly for hockey, I have no problems staying fit for the Army after training with you!"

Brendan Whalen
Private Second Class, Combat Medic
United States Army

“I read your article on yearly Yearly Weight Training Program for a Hockey Academy and really enjoyed it.”

Bill Coffey, CSCS
Director of Sport Medicine
Nichols College, Dudley, MA

“I read your article on Sled Dragging for Hockey Training in the 2003, Volume 25, Number 3, pp 7-16 issue of the Strength and Conditioning Journal.  Nice work.  I have used tires on the ice in the past with great success.”

Steig Theander, CSCS
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Phoenix Coyotes