"It's black and white.  Too be a successful hockey player in the game today you need a lot of tools.  Strength and conditioning is becoming more evident with players becoming bigger and faster.  Dave's programs will push you in ways words can't discribe, but the pain is worth the pleasure in the end when you're winning your races to the puck and skating past your opponents.  Dave definitely changed my hockey career and I will always thank him." Kevin Flather German Pro  Player (EHV Schnheide 09) Dayton Gems (International Hockey League)

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

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“Today, everyone goes to the gym and does the same things.  Traditional training isn’t always enough to get you ahead of the competition.   Dave has always been on the cutting edge of player development and he helped me with my time at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.  I appreciate all he has done for me and recommend his training fully." Andrew Volkening Starting Goaltender US Air Force Academy (NCAA D1)

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“Dave jokingly called me fat and slow when I arrived from Juniors this past summer and after making me his whipping boy for a couple of months got me into the best shape of my life.   I gained body weight and dropped all my baby fat.   I’m in my last year of Juniors and want a NCAA college scholarship next season.   I now feel this is possible after my summer of training with Dave." Chris Mason Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL, Junior-A)

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“My Dad & I approached Dave in the summer of 2010 to help me improve my game for my new team in the USHL.   The workouts Dave puts me through are hell, but they have helped me improve much more than I have ever seen.  Having done the workouts and seen the results I definitely recommend Dave’s training!”  Mitch Hughes Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL

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"Dave has a knack of getting people into unreal shape for training camp...it's scary.  I needed to put on 20lbs this past summer so I could have a good year in Junior-A and Dave came through.  I showed up at camp in the best shape ever and tippin' the scales at a solid 196lbs.  The extra strength has helped so much, I've never crushed guys like I have this camp and I'm stronger on the puck too.  Overall I feel great and owe a lot of this to Dave and his amazing training methods." Saylor Preston Iron Range Ironheads (SIJHL, Junior-A) Two years with the Banff Hockey Academy (Junior B)

"I met Dave through the Banff Hockey Academy and began using his dryland program in the summer before the 2009-2010 season.  At first it proved very challenging because I hadn't worked with such an intense program before.  During that season and this past season and now off-season I have seen huge gains in the gym (such as 190kg squat, 140kg bench) and I'm only 18.  I look forward to this season in the EIHL to see what I can do.  It has helped me gain an advantage on the ice.  Thanks Dave."

Matt Sellers
Pro Hockey Player, Newcastle Vipers (EIHL)

"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

“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’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
Assistant Coach, Canmore Eagles (AJHL, Junior-A)
Head Coach, Canmore Timber Wolves Hockey Team

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

“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, BSc, CSCS
Boston University Terriers
(NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey)
Current Strength & Conditioning Coach for Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning

“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

"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
Former Athletic Director
Banff Hockey Academy

"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)

“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

"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 top-3 finisher at the Hang-Gliding World Championships Los Angeles, CA

“I started training with Dave's pro-group this summer and I have seen gains in my strength, speed and conditioning that I never thought possible (like a 405lb full squat).   Before I always played on talent alone, but now I have great conditioning and strength to match.   I highly recommend his training, and absolutely recommend this book (Dryland Training for Hockey).”

Chris Fraterrigo
Fitchburg State Falcons, (NCAA Division III Ice Hockey), Pro-Tryout with Toledo Walleye (ECHL)

"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

"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

“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)

"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

“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