Boston Bruin Mark Stuart
October 1, 2008
Barry’s work with Mark Stuart is mentioned in a story from the Boston Globe on August 19, 2007 by Fluto Shinzawa. From the article:
Timing is right for Stuart
Bruins could use a solid defenseman
In 2006-07, Stuart made the most of his NHL playing time, finishing with a team-best plus-7 rating. When he’s on his game, Stuart plays a mean, rugged style and doesn’t back down from the rough stuff. Off the ice, from Colorado College’s Scott Owens to Providence’s Scott Gordon, Stuart’s coaches rave about his off-the-charts character and dressing-room demeanor.
Mark Stuart's work with Barry has improved the efficiency of his stride
“I wouldn’t call it a surprise,” Chiarelli said when asked if Stuart could become a valuable contributor. “He’s got a pretty good pedigree. He was the captain of that world junior team. He’s excelled in his role wherever he’s been.”
With his ankle feeling fine, Stuart has been working out with skating coach Barry Karn, formerly employed by Calgary and most recently hired by St. Louis. One criticism of Stuart was that at the NHL level, he’d be a tick slower than opposing forwards, allowing them to gain position in the danger zones.
Under Karn, Stuart has concentrated on his skating technique in tight areas, adding power to his stride and making his bursts more efficient.
Flames Rookies Stay Sharp
October 1, 2008
by STEVE MACFARLANE
from the Calgary Sun:
If you miss the morning sessions and pop into the arena for the afternoon skates at the Don Hartman Northeast Sportsplex, you might think you’re watching some kind of ballet on ice.
Weaving in slow motion around pylons are the Calgary Flames prospects under the watchful eye of powerskating coach Barry Karn, the wise tutor who occasionally sounds like Chinese philosopher Confucius or The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi.
“You learn how to be fast by being really slow,” Karn said yesterday of his technical teachings. “It sounds kind of funny, but I’ve been doing this for 25 years.”
With the right posture, a player can significantly increase his speed without relying on strength. The science behind it may be complicated but Karn, a Minnesotan in his second year with the Flames, tries to keep it simple, using a vertical leap as an example.
“It’s a programming thing. I get down into a squat position … if I go down and I stop there for a couple of seconds every single time, you tune everything up,” he said. “Say you’re (normally) jumping with 60 muscles. If you orchestrate and let yourself hold that position for a long time, you actually get more muscle involved, so now you’re jumping with, say, 90.
“Your vertical goes up without gaining any power.
“There’s a little wobble at first,” he continued, adding the centre of balance is right over the blade of the skates. “After a while, the muscles that need to stretch and flex in a more stretched out position, they start to program.”
It’s no secret the Flames like big defenders. They drafted 6-ft.-6 giant Keith Aulie this spring and he’s rooming with fellow mammoths Gord Baldwin (6-ft.-5), Adam Pardy (6-ft.-4) and default shorty Tim Ramholt (6-ft.-2).
Matt Pelech is another 6-ft.-4 prospect in a camp where no one on the back end is under six feet.
But size isn’t everything in today’s NHL. They’ve got to be able to keep up with speedy forwards while backpedalling and pivoting. While Karn’s schooling is extremely important for the big blokes, it’s not easy.
“I think the hardest thing for a big guy is to get low and stay low,” Pelech said. “Our legs are so long. When you get down there you stay there for 30 seconds, you can feel the burn.”
As uncomfortable as it can be, the results are obvious when the recorded times come back after enough practice.
“In the last two years, I’ve come a long way,” said Pardy, who worked with Karn in Omaha last season. “I think the other guys would say that, too.”
They do.
“He’s absolutely amazing. I’ve worked with him a few times away from Calgary,” Baldwin said. “He’s taught me so much. I’ve noticed a difference in my skating. I haven’t been the greatest skater my whole life, I guess, and he’s making that a lot better.”
Like many of his fellow campers, Aulie skates with other coaches in the off-season.
“They’re not near on the level of Barry,” said Aulie. “This is way over the top of their heads.”
When it comes to job security, Karn has nothing to worry about.
He’s worked with the Islanders, Blackhawks, Coyotes and Blues in addition to individuals seeking his help.
“That natural skater is actually an unnatural guy,” Karn said.
“The rest of us, we’re normal.”
Welcome to Karn Skating Dynamics
September 9, 2008
We offer three distinct clinics:
In addition, the above are available as Team and Association Clinics.
Too many times, skills are taught by demonstrating a finished product. When students fall short of achieving these skills they don’t understand why.
Skating is the foundation skill for Hockey. It makes or breaks all other skills and each player’s and team’s ability to reach elite levels.
Skills need to be broken down into their individual dynamics; these dynamics whether strengths or weaknesses are targeted and repeatedly practiced. This process ingrains tha neuromuscular pattens needed to rebuild the finished skill. It sounds like a mouthful, although we make it relatively basic and it’s taught to instill confidence. Many of our students go on to become very competent self-trainers, continuing to improve on into the future.
