Player Spotlight – Henry Fleming

In the world of competitive hockey, the difference between “good” and “elite” often comes down to a single factor: the skating stride. For 2017-born athlete Henry Fleming, the journey toward elite movement began with a realization that his natural talent needed a technical foundation to truly shine.

When Henry first stepped into the Hockey Development Centre, he arrived with a clear goal: to set himself apart from the pack for the upcoming season.

The Starting Point: Identifying the “Choppy” Stride

Every transformation begins with a Baseline Analysis. When Henry first hit the treadmill, his metrics provided a clear roadmap for improvement. At the time, Henry was maxing out at a speed of 9 kph.

The data revealed three primary areas of concern:

• Poor Skating Posture: A high center of gravity that prevented power transfer.

• Short, Choppy Strides: A lack of full extension, meaning he was working twice as hard for half the results.

• Low Efficiency: Henry was clocking 20 strides every 8.2 seconds—a high-frequency, low-output rhythm that leads to early fatigue.

The Personalized Blueprint

Recognizing that “one size fits all” training doesn’t work for high-potential athletes, our team developed a personalized development plan specifically for Henry. The focus was simple but rigorous: break down the mechanics, rebuild the posture, and lengthen the stride.

Through targeted repetitions and real-time biofeedback on our skating treadmills, Henry began to find his “edges.” We worked on deepening his knee bend to lower his center of gravity and emphasized the “toe flick” to ensure every ounce of energy was pushing him forward.

The Results: A New Gear

The transformation between Henry’s initial baseline and his follow-up analysis was nothing short of remarkable. Henry didn’t just improve; he evolved.

By nearly doubling his skating speed and mastering a more efficient, long-stride mechanic, Henry has transformed himself into a dual-threat player. He no longer burns his energy just trying to keep up; he uses his improved efficiency to create time and space on the ice.

Setting the Standard

Henry Fleming’s story is a testament to what happens when a young athlete’s work ethic meets a data-driven plan. By focusing on the “how” of his skating rather than just the “how fast,” Henry has built a foundation that will set him apart not just this season, but for years to come.

Interested in getting started with your own Personalized Development Program?  Sign-up for your Baseline Analysis today!  Follow this link to register https://relmsports.com/baseline-analysis/