On March 1, Skillz Systems launched an online competition for the users of its product QuickStickz, a video game that teaches hockey players how to stickhandle with their heads up. Within a few hours, there was widespread interest from players around the world.
“You can’t play QuickStickz with your head down. It trains you to look up while mastering the important skill of handling the puck,” said company president, Paul Behner. “If you control the puck, you control the game. Keeping your head up is critical to a hockey player’s success and safety.”
Former professional hockey player and company vice president, Dean Dachyshyn, recognizes there isn’t enough time devoted to stickhandling during practice.
“You cannot become an elite hockey player without great stickhandling skills,” said Dachyshyn. “With your head up, you can see the entire ice, see open teammates, shoot to score, and most importantly, you can avoid body checks and incidental contact.”
Recently QuickStickz has caught the attention of hockey trainer and coach, Jim Vitale, of Vital Hockey Skills: “{QuickStickz} has to be one of the best concussion prevention tools out there.”
QuickStickz combines the love of hockey and video games and allows players to master their skills while having fun. Using a favourite hockey stick, a computer and internet access, QuickStickz can be played virtually anywhere at any time. The internet-based system includes many hockey specific drills and video games that aren't related to hockey. The system tracks each player’s progress in real time, while providing a chance to compete against other users.
The new competition, the 200 Minute Stickhandling Challenge, is an opportunity for users to win prizes during March. There are also milestone prizes for players who reach 50, 100, 150 and 200 minutes, the Most Valuable Player (most minutes played) and Most Dedicated Player (most days played). To learn more, visitWWW.QUICKSTICKZ.COM/CONTEST.
About Skillz Systems Inc.
Skillz Systems developed a fun and interactive game, QuickStickz, to improve hockey players' stickhandling skills. The product integrates advanced sensor technology and data analysis tools into an engaging, physically-interactive video game that motivates players to practice their skills while using proper techniques. The company won the Innovacorp I-3 Technology Start-up Competition in the Halifax region in 2007. Skillz Systems is currently developing a national heads up hockey program to advocate a smarter, safer game.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Behner
President
902.209.5960
PAUL@SKILLZSYSTEMS.COM
Dean Dachyshyn
Vice President
902.407.3883
DEAN@SKILLZSYSTEMS.COM
Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 6, 2012