elite Training
Elite Training, held on the state-of-the-art Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, SD, is designed specifically for player development, attracting players who have a high standard of personal responsibility, a desire to be challenged and play at a higher level, and exhibit a positive attitude and work ethic.
Players train both on-ice and off-ice for 8 weeks in a small group, enjoying the camaraderie of training with like-minded athletes. Each week will provide a full ice scrimmage, a position specific skill session, and two fundamental specific sessions rooted in a constraint based environment, a method of learning where an environment is created to foster the skills that are being practiced.
The small group format of this program provides the training consistency and practice reps players need to develop correct habits, spatial awareness and how to problem solve under competitive pressure.
Before small group ice sessions players gather for video with their instructor. Video sessions are curated in collaboration with NHL skills coaches, who break down visual examples/game like situations that are then focused on during the ice hour.
In addition to ice & video sessions, players workout at Sanford POWER. As our athletes continue to see impressive results, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Sanford POWER, truly a leader in sports science and performance training. Athletes at the most elite levels in sports travel to train with Sanford POWER, and ours receive the same resources.
instructors
NOELLE NEEDHAM
Legend Hockey owner and South Dakota native, Noelle Needham, became the first female NHL amateur scout when hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018. Needham currently serves as the Associate General Manager of the Chicago Steel (USHL) in addition to coaching the Sioux Falls POWER 16U team. Needham co-founded Legend Hockey and the Sioux Falls POWER Tier 1 Hockey Program, following her collegiate career as a forward with Minnesota State University, Mankato.
BRANDON WILDUNG
Brandon Wildung currently serves as the Assistant Coach for the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), Goaltender Coach for the Sioux Falls POWER teams, and Lead Goaltender Instructor with Legend Hockey.
Brandon played Division 1 hockey for Mercyhurst and professionally before starting his coaching career.
eric schlie
Eric grew up in Littleton, Colorado. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he obtained his BA in psychology. Post college, he has dedicated the past 12 years to coaching, most notably with Valor Christian High School, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) and most recently with the St. Cloud Norsemen (NAHL). He joined Sioux Falls Power in 2022 as the head coach of the 15o team and currently resides in Sioux Falls with his wife, Courtney and their son, Baker.
ADAM NICHOLAS
Adam Nicholas is a professional skills coach who works as the Director of Hockey Development for the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), as well as with the Chicago Steel (USHL) supporting player development. Nicholas has an impressive list of NHL clients. Legend Hockey athletes benefit from Adam’s expertise during each Elite Training Video session as Adam breaks down the skills and concepts players will work on during the session that follows.
RINK
SCHEELS IcePlex
Sioux Falls, SD