Stamina is one of the most important physical characteristics in the sport of hockey. Outstanding endurance is a characteristic required of any hockey player, no matter the age or skill level.

To succeed as a hockey player, you need to develop a specific set of skills and possess a broad range of physical abilities. You need speed, strength, endurance, elusiveness and, most of all, balance. The process of getting into hockey playing shape usually involves acquiring or reacquiring all these attributes prior to the beginning of the season.

Athletes and coaches generally focus on the physical training and discipline to master sports skills. However, mental and emotional skills training can be just as important for success in sports and in life beyond sports.

Mike Weaver, seen here playing with the Florida Panthers, will be inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame on May 15. - Steve Russell/Torstar Network

Former NHL defenceman Mike Weaver is among four individuals who will be enshrined in this year's Brampton Sports Hall of Fame class in May. Weaver, who played parts of 13 seasons in the NHL from 2001 to 2015, will be inducted alongside renowned power lifter Harnek Singh Rai, longtime tennis club volunteer Rosemary Miller, and former professional boxer Rick Souce, at the 38th annual Brampton Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on May 15 at Rose Theatre. Although he wasn't drafted into the NHL, Weaver earned his way into the pro ranks after a strong university career at Michigan State, where he…

Near the end, there were days when Mike Weaver would wake up with unexplained swelling on the left side of his face. Sometimes, he said, the swelling would be on the right side instead, and he could never determine the rhythm, the pattern or the cause.

I’m Mike Weaver, proud owner of Defence First Hockey School.

I look forward to sharing my story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know me better.

At Defence First Hockey School, we prioritize customer service and satisfaction. To let you know just how much we’re committed to your happiness, here’s what a few delighted customers had to say about us:

As the regular hockey season winds down, there will be plenty of trips & activities that will keep players busy, but don’t forget the importance of ‘down time’! Here are 7 important steps for players to follow so that they can be prepared for the next season ahead.

 

Mario Lemieux's hockey resume speaks for itself.

So imagine his surprise when a fellow dad questioned his credentials.

The inspiring story of Jeffie G Magina a Kenyan ice and inline hockey player from Kenya. Hockey is so much more than a sport, it’s a way of life!

 

It is a common misconception that a player must be drafted to play in the NHL. But there are many paths you can take to reach your dream. I’m just a hair under 5′ 9″ and never weighed more than 185 pounds, small for a defensive defenseman. I never played juniors, but I spent 15 years in pro hockey, 13 of them (633 regular-season games) in the NHL. And … I was undrafted.

Mike Weaver has announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) after 11 seasons.

Weaver played in a total of 633 career NHL games with six teams: the Atlanta Thrashers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens. The 5’10”, 183-pound defenceman scored eight goals and 89 assists for 97 points in his NHL career. Weaver also played in 28 playoff games and helped the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2014.

WEAVER - JACK & JONES EVENT

Affable and approachable, Weaver has many fans who respect his self-sacrifice on the ice and enjoy his delightfully warped sense of humor. 

But Weaver and his wife, Rhianna, appreciate what life has given them and they understand that this offers them the ability to touch others.

Mike Weaver has done all right for a player who was never selected at the National Hockey League draft. Not bad for a guy who has only scored eight goals in 602 career NHL games. So it should come as no surprise that Weaver operates the Defense First Hockey School during the summer.