Hands that work in a game, not just on a cone course.

Anyone can look impressive in an empty corner of the rink. The Stickhandling Camp trains the hands that survive contact, traffic and a defender closing at speed — close control, puck protection, deception and the quick release that turns half a second of space into a scoring chance.

In Val Gardena the week is led by Patrik Almström, SHL skills coach and founder of PA Player Advancement, who works individually with NHL players including Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson and Nashville Predators forwards Nils Höglander and Adam Edström.

In Val di Fassa it is led by Jim Midgley — assistant coach with the NHL’s New York Rangers, assistant coach with Team Canada, and private coach to Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.

Both coaches work the same way: nothing goes on the ice because it looks good. Every repetition is built to transfer into a real game situation.

On the ice you will work on

• Close puck control in traffic and under pressure
• Puck protection and body positioning against a defender
• Deception — fakes, changes of pace and the small movements that beat someone before contact
• Quick releases and shooting in stride
• One-on-one attacking patterns that create real scoring chances

Head coaches: Patrik Almström · Jim Midgley

Where: Val Gardena and Val di Fassa, Italy

Group size: limited to 90 players per camp