2017 USA HOCKEY GIRLS 15 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP PARTICIPANT GUIDEBOOK July 8th-12th, 2017 St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, Minnesota For more information about the USA Hockey Girls Player Development Camps, visit http://playerdevelopmentcamps.usahockey.com/girls
Reagan Carey Director, Women s Hockey 2017 GIRLS 15 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations on your selection to the 2017 USA Hockey Girls 15 Player Development Camp! You have been identified as one of the top 216 players in the country in the 2002 birth year. The Girls Player Development Camps are a key part of USA Hockey s Player Development Program and by accepting the invitation to attend you agree to best represent yourself and USA Hockey. With your selection comes the responsibility of preparing to perform at your best in St. Cloud this summer. This camp will emphasize age-appropriate training on and off the ice and will provide you with the knowledge and resources to BECOME BETTER. We expect that you will arrive ready to train with and compete against the best competition in your age group. While at camp, you will have the opportunity to measure yourself against others your age, acquire knowledge about your development, and gain exposure to some of the country s top coaches. We encourage you to arrive with an open mind so that you can take full advantage of the opportunity ahead. The information in this guidebook outlines the various elements that ensure the camps are conducted to the standards and expectations of USA Hockey. Please read it carefully so that you are mentally, physically, and logistically prepared for camp. Sincerely, Reagan Carey Director, Women s Hockey Marissa Halligan Manager, Women s Hockey Kristen Wright Manager, Girls Player Development 2
Dates July 8th-12th, 2017 CAMPS AT A GLANCE Location St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. For a campus map, visit http://www.stcloudstate.edu/ campusmap/documents/buildings.pdf. Cost $150. Players will be required to pay this non-refundable registration fee when they register online for the camp. The fee includes a jersey, socks, meals, housing, and ice costs. However, transportation costs (flights, etc.) are the responsibility of each family. For travel details, see page 5 of this guidebook. Eligibility USA Hockey registered players who are within the eligible birth year (2002), currently hold U.S. citizenship and participated in their district tryout process. Evaluation Players attending USA Hockey s Development Camps may be tracked for future opportunities. While the Under-18 National Festival is primarily for the 2000 and 2001 birth years, it is possible that a player from the 2002 birth year would be invited to attend if their performance warrants. The Under-18 National Festival will be held in Lake Placid, N.Y. in August. Invitations to the Under-18 National Festival will be communicated by USA Hockey s National Office Staff after all 3 of the Girls National Player Development Camps are complete. We ve included some basic information for your planning purposes: Approximately 31 players will be named to participate in the 2017 Under-18 National Festival August 8th-16th in Lake Placid, NY. That roster will be reduced for the USA vs Canada Under-18 three-game series that will follow in Lake Placid August 17th-20th. Player Development Program Overview To help familiarize you with the structure and objectives of the camps, please visit: http://playerdevelopmentcamps.usahockey.com/girls Schedule The ice schedule (practices and games) will be available on www.usahockey.com prior to camp. Parent Seminar USA Hockey is committed to sharing as much information and as much of our philosophy with the parent community to ensure that we have communicated the areas we believe are critical to player development. With that in mind, we will again host a brief, but informative meeting on the St. Cloud State University campus and welcome all parents to attend. Unfortunately, this meeting will not be live-streamed. Date: July 8th Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm Location: Husky Room, located on concourse level inside the front entrance of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. 3
CAMP STRUCTURE AND FORMAT CAMP FORWARDS DEFENSEMEN GOALIES TOTAL PLAYERS Girls 15 Development Camp 120 72 24 216 Player Selection In total in the 2000, 2001, and 2002 birth years, 462 players representing each of USA Hockey s 12 districts will participate at one of three 2017 USA Hockey Girls National Development Camps. These players are chosen through an evaluation process conducted at the affiliate and district levels. For more information on the camp structure, please refer to http://playerdevelopmentcamps.usahockey.com/girls. Curriculum The on-ice curriculum emphasizes age-specific skill development and aligns with the principles of USA Hockey s American Development Model (ADM). The off-ice curriculum features basic principles of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and general athlete wellness. The objective is to educate and equip players with knowledge and resources to foster their overall development. This camp will feature 12 teams of balanced rosters with 6 defensemen, 10 forwards, and 2 goalies per team. Testing The following off-ice tests will be conducted on the day that players arrive at camp: 300-yard shuttle, chin-ups, push ups, and vertical jump. The objective is to expose players to basic level testing while gaining benchmark results for their performance in each of these areas. While these test results allow USA Hockey to evaluate the conditioning status of the overall player pool, they also serve as an opportunity for each player to gauge her own improvement from season to season. USA Hockey s expectation is that each player trains and prepares for these tests and the demands of the on-ice sessions prior to arriving in St. Cloud. The daily schedule will ensure players have a proper work to rest ratio but the camp schedule and activities will be demanding. Proper preparation leading into camp will help players maximize their experience. For a description and video of each test listed above, please reference page 12 of this guidebook. Strength and Conditioning/Nutrition Basic strength and conditioning sessions will be introduced throughout the week and players will receive guidance and direction from USA Hockey s strength and conditioning staff about recommended best practices for improving in the areas of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and general athlete wellness. 4
TRAVEL Transportation costs to and from the camp are the responsibility of each family. If you have any issues complying with the arrival/departure timeframes below, please contact Marissa Halligan immediately (marissah@usahockey.org) Arrival Information DRIVERS: Those driving to camp should plan to arrive on the St. Cloud State University campus at 2:00 p.m. on July 8th to check-in. FLIERS: Those flying to camp should fly into the Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) airport between 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on July 8th. Players will be greeted in baggage claim at the MSP airport by a St. Cloud State University representative and/or USA Hockey camp staff member when they arrive. USA Hockey will provide supervised ground transportation from the MSP airport to campus for players. The ground transportation schedule from MSP airport will be determined by Camp Directors prior to camp and will be contingent on player arrival times. Each player will be pre-assigned to a bus based on the arrival time/ flight itinerary she submits in her registration profile. In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, the Camp Directors will make arrangements to transport the player safely to camp. Specifics about the check-in process will be emailed to players/parents 48 hours prior to camp. USA Hockey recognizes that, due to flight options/cost, a player may request to arrive earlier than 11:30 a.m. If that scenario arises, there may be a short period of time where the player is unsupervised at the aiport until a representative from St. Cloud State University or USA Hockey camp staff member arrives. Underage Minor Policy Certain airlines require underage minors to be accompanied at the airport upon arrival/departure. When booking player travel, please review the airline s underage minor policy (if applicable) and notify the Camp Directors so that the appropriate accommodations can be made. 5
TRAVEL I m flying by myself to camp. How do I let the Camp Directors know that I will need transportation from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport to the St. Cloud State University campus on July 8th? When completing your registration in Rocky Mountain Register, you will have the opportunity to request ground transportation from the airport on July 8th. By selecting this box, you will be included on the bus list from the MSP airport on July 8th. I m flying with family and/or friends to Minnesota a few days before camp and then they are driving me to camp on July 8th. How do I indicate my travel plans correctly in my registration? The online registration will require you to confirm whether you are driving or flying to camp. Because you are driving to camp on July 8th, please select driving when completing the travel section of your registration. Departure Information Camp will conclude by 12:00 p.m. on July 12th. The National Office requests that all player flights be booked between 3:00pm-6:30pm to avoid conflicts with ice sessions that morning. Those who are driving home from camp may leave with their parent/guardian after their final ice session once they have notified their Team Leader. Details about the check-out procedure (returning dorm keys and linens, etc.) will be communicated to players by the Camp Directors and supervised by the Team Leaders. 6
2017 GIRLS 15 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP ONLINE REGISTRATION Per USA Hockey policy, all players are required to register online prior to camp via Rocky Mountain Register, USA Hockey s online registration program. Players are expected to complete the registration within the deadline given to them by their Girls /Women s Section Representative. Players will not be allowed to participate at camp until their online registration is complete and all necessary forms have been e-signed and submitted via Rocky Mountain Reigster. After a player is notified of her selection to the camp, she player will receive an email from info@usahockey.com which will include a username, password, and link to the online registration. The username and password are case sensitive and are required to access the online registration. Please check your SPAM and junk mail folders for the invitation before contacting USA Hockey. The invitation will be sent to the email address used to register your daughter for player development opportunities at the affiliate and/or district level. Invites are generated through the Rocky Mountain Register system and may end up in your spam folder. Please check that folder before reaching out to USA Hockey regarding your daughter s invitation. If you have been selected to camp and have not received your invitation from info@usahockey.com, please email kristenw@usahockey.org for assistance. Please include the player s name, position, DOB, and the email address to which the invitation should be sent. What does the online registration entail? As part of the online registration, players will be required to enter personal information, parent/guardian information, medical information, current school and team information, and travel information for camp. Consent to Treat & Medical Forms: The Consent to Treat is included as part of the online registration. In order for your registration to be complete, this form (and corresponding medical forms) must be e-signed by your parent or guardian. After completing and e-signing the forms, please submit them by following the instructions in the registration. You will NOT need to print or fax these forms. Travel Information: Please have travel information accessible when filling out the registration because you will not be able to complete their registration without it. Make sure that your flight itinerary (or driving information) is accurate in your online registration account. Details regarding ground transportation from the MSP airport on July 8th will be sent 48 hours prior to the start of camp. Details regarding ground transportation from St. Cloud to the MSP airport on July 12th will be communicated to players while they are at camp. 7
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the USA Hockey Girls 15 Player Development Camp. If you have questions that are not addressed below or elsewhere within this guidebook, please direct them to marissah@usahockey.org. What is the general schedule? The camp schedule will be available on http://playerdevelopmentcamps.usahockey.com/girls prior to camp. When not on the ice, players will be engaged in off-ice activities and programming including off-ice training sessions, team meetings, video sessions, nutrition meetings, and team building competitions throughout the camp. When will players receive their daily team schedules? Players will receive a copy of their team schedule upon arriving at camp. Prior to camp, the camp ice schedule and rosters will be available on http://playerdevelopmentcamps.usahockey.com/girls. Will the games be streamed online? No. However, scores, stats and photos will be posted each day on www.usahockey.com. Are games and practices open to the public? Yes. Spectators can attend any/all ice sessions free of charge. Will camp merchandise be available? Camp apparel will be sold at the rink during camp. If apparel is available for purchase online prior to the camp, USA Hockey s National Office will send the details to all participants via email. What is the mailing address for camp participants? St. Cloud State University Shoemaker Hall USA Hockey/Player Name St. Cloud, MN 56301 How do players get back and forth from the rink? All facilities are located within a short walk of one another on the St. Cloud State University campus. Players and staff will walk to and from all camp activities (i.e. meals, practices/games, meetings, etc.). Will players be able to get their skates sharpened while at camp? There will be an equipment manager on site for basic equipment needs. At the start of camp, players will be advised about the process for skate sharpening and other equipment needs. There will be a $3 fee (cash only) for each skate sharpening at camp. 8
Will there be athletic trainers at camp? Yes. There will be an athletic training staff on site. Any medical/training needs or concerns should be addressed directly with the trainers. Should a player require additional medical attention, the training staff will collaborate with the Camp Director and National Office Staff to proceed appropriately. Do players have to bring their own equipment? Yes. Players are required to bring all of their equipment, as required by USA Hockey rules. Facemasks, mouth guards and helmet earpieces are required. A jersey and socks will be provided to players upon their arrival at camp. What kind of clothes should players bring? Players are encouraged to bring casual clothing (i.e. t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, etc.) with them. This should include workout clothes and sneakers for off-ice training sessions. Where do players eat? Players will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with their team in Garvey Dining Hall on the St. Cloud campus. Can the dining hall accommodate food allergies? Yes. In the event that your daughter has a food allergy or dietary need (i.e. dairy, gluten, vegan, etc.) please list it in her registration. Prior to camp, a list of player allergies is distributed to dining hall staff and Camp Directors so the appropriate accommodations can be made. Again, this is for food allergies or dietary needs only, not food preferences. USA Hockey appreciates your cooperation with this request. Is a linen package provided? Yes. Sheets, a blanket, and a pillow will be provided to each player when she checks-in at the dorm. However players must bring their own towel and toiletries (i.e. shampoo, soap, and other bathroom necessities). Can players bring their smart phones and electronic devices? Players are allowed to bring their smart phones and electronic devices but they will have limited use throughout the camp. Per USA Hockey policy, smart phones/electronic devices are not permitted in any of the locker rooms. Players are encouraged to use them only during times that do not conflict with camp programs and activities. These times will be communicated by Team Leaders and/or the Camp Director. Players are expected to use their devices in a respectful and appropriate manner. Non-compliance with these guidelines could result in confiscation of the item until the end of camp. How much money should players bring? This is a personal preference. Although all meals are provided, there are places on campus to buy snacks. There will also be USA Hockey merchandise available for purchase. Prices will vary and cash/credit cards are accepted. There will also be a minimal $3 fee for skate sharpening during the camp. Please use your best judgment, especially as it pertains to bringing cash. 9
How are room assignments made and can players/parents request roommates? Room assignments are determined by USA Hockey s National Office Staff and the Camp Directors. Roommate requests are not accepted. Your roommate(s) will more than likely be from a different USA Hockey district and your room assignment will be given to you when you arrive at camp. Switching rooms and/or roommates is not allowed. Is the dorm air conditioned? Yes. Can parents/guests visit players during the week? Given the busy camp schedule, there is limited opportunity for family and friends to interact with players during the week. Parents/guests can attend ice sessions but are not permitted in the dormitory and/or locker rooms without the Camp Director s consent. Players are not allowed to leave with a parent/visitor at any time, unless they have checked out of camp and do not plan to return. Players are expected to follow their daily schedule and should not make other plans during the course of the camp. Are players allowed to bring snacks to camp? Yes. Although meals and snacks will be provided, players are welcome to bring snacks to camp. However, players rooms will not have refrigerators so please plan accordingly. Where can parents/family stay during the camp? Per USA Hockey policy, parents, family, and friends of camp participants are not permitted to stay on the St. Cloud State University campus during the camp. A list of hotels and dining options in the St. Cloud area are included with the online registration for your convenience. Please be advised that USA Hockey is not using a third party to assist with the booking process and recommends that you contact the hotel(s) directly to make reservations. Does USA Hockey pay for baggage fees? No. Baggage fees for camp participants are the responsibility of each family and USA Hockey does not permit players to ship their equipment to camp ahead of time. Does the USA Hockey Camp Staff complete a background check? Yes. Prior to participating at one of USA Hockey Girls Development Camps, every staff member is required to submit and receive clearance on a background check. Additionally, all staff must complete USA Hockey s SafeSport Training program prior to camp. The conduct of the players, coaches and all staff are subject to the USA Hockey SafeSport Program. 10
If I have been selected or named as an alternate for the Girls 15 Development Camp but I have an extenuating circumstance (emergency, injury, sickness, etc.) that prohibits or may prohibit me from attending the camp, who should I contact? A player who has been selected or named as an alternate, but has an extenuating circumstance that prohibits or may prohibit (i.e. unsure if player will be cleared from an injury), the player should notify USA Hockey s National Office Staff and her District Girls and Women s Section Representative of the circumstances immediately. For a list of Girls /Women s Section Representatives, visit: http://www.usahockey.com/page/show/886762-girl-s-and-women-s-contacts Early Departure In the event that a player needs to leave camp earlier than 12:00 p.m. on July 12th, her parent or legal guardian must sign an Early Release Form. Players will not be allowed to leave camp without the approval of the Camp Director and a properly signed Early Release Form. What is the protocol for getting an Early Release Form from camp? USA Hockey s expectation is that players who have been selected for this camp attend the entire camp. However, USA Hockey acknowledges that an unexpected circumstance or emergency (i.e. family emergency, injury, etc.) may arise that warrants a player to request an early release from camp. If you need to request an early release, your parent/guardian must contact the Camp Directors immediately. After receiving approval from the Camp Directors and/or National Office Staff, your parent/guardian will be required to sign an Early Release Form in the presence of a Camp Director prior to leaving the camp. Once you are released from camp, you will not be permitted to return. 11
TESTING Below is a detailed description of each off-ice test that will be conducted at camp. For a video demonstration of each test, please visit http://teamusa.usahockey.com/becomebetter2017. Vertical Jump Purpose: Vertical Jump Height is a measure of lower body power and correlates to sprinting speed. Performance: Vertical Jump Height is calculated by standing on a Just Jump Mat and jumping as high as possible using a counter-movement. Each player is given three jumps, and the best jump of three is recorded. 300 Yard Shuttle Purpose: The 300-yard shuttle test is designed to measure off-ice conditioning and recovery ability. Specifically the test is designed to evaluate conditioning in 3 areas that are critical to ice hockey. 1. The test closely approximates shift length at slightly less than 1 minute (average shift length is ~50 sec) 2. The test incorporates starts and stops, skills critical to ice hockey 3. The test looks at performance after a recovery interval, another critical quality in hockey. Performance: The player will sprint back and forth between two cones set 25 yards apart for a total of 6 laps (up and back is one 50-yard lap). The goal is to cover this distance in as short a time as possible, so players will be encouraged to pace themselves accordingly. Push Up Purpose: Upper body strength is not only influential in on-ice performance (e.g. skating, shooting, battling in corners, etc.), but also helps prevent collision-driven upper body injuries. The push up is a highly standardized test that assesses your upper body pushing strength. Performance: Set up on all fours with your hands positioned directly beneath your armpits, your knees beneath your hips and your back flat. Without letting your back move, straight your legs out behind you. Lower yourself down to the floor and then push yourself back up until your arms are straight, moving everything from your ears through your ankles as a unit. Repeat for as many reps as you can while maintaining perfect form. Chin-Up Purpose: Upper body strength is not only influential in on-ice performance (e.g. skating, shooting, battling in corners, etc.), but also helps prevent collision-driven upper body injuries. The chin-up test is a highly standardized test that assesses your upper body pulling strength. Together with the results from the pushups test, the chin-up test provides information about the balance of strength across the shoulder. Ideally, a players pushing and pulling strength should be equal, as this helps maximize stability and minimize injury risk to the shoulders. Performance: Hanging from a bar with an underhand grip, pull yourself all the way until your chin fully passes over the bar. Lower yourself all the way down to the bottom until your arms are fully extended. Repeat for as many reps as you can with perfect form. If you can do more than 10 reps with your body weight, you ll be tested with 25lbs hanging from a belt. 12
PARTICIPANTS CODE OF CONDUCT By accepting the invitation to attend one of USA Hockey s National Girls Player Development Camps, players agree to best represent themselves and USA Hockey. As a result, all participants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully toward teammates, other participants, staff, and camp facilities. The policies included within USA Hockey s SafeSport Program apply to players, coaches, and staff conduct at the camp, including prohibitions on hazing, bullying, cyberbullying, threats, harrassment, and sexual, physical or emotional abuse or misconduct. On and off-ice behavior will be observed by the staff at all times. Any action that, in the opinion of the Camp Director and/or National Office Staff, is deemed to be detrimental to the well-being of the program or its participants, will result in disciplinary action (including possible dismissal from the camp). USA will not tolerate the use and/or possession of alcohol, non-prescription drugs, prescription drugs except under a doctor s care, weapons or tobacco products. If a staff member becomes aware of any incident involving any of the above, he or she is required to report it to the National Office Staff and Camp Directors immediately. If a player is dismissed from camp as a result of a rule violation or behavioral issue, transportation home would be at the player s own expense and could affect the individual s eligibility for future USA Hockey Programs. 13
EQUIPMENT/PACKING LIST Below is a list of essential items to remember for camp. ITEM Travel itinerary and plane tickets Clothes for dorm, off-ice, etc. Towel Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.) Rain jacket (in case of inclement weather) Notebook and pen Phone Charger Pillow (optional) Water bottle Shoulder pads Elbow pads Shin pads Skates Hockey pants Mouth guard Garter belt Pelvic protector Sticks Hockey tape Gloves Helmet Shower sandals Backpack or bag for personal items Workout clothes/under gear clothes Snacks (optional) 14
IMPORTANT CONTACTS Marissa Halligan Manager, Women s Hockey Phone: (719) 538-1150 Email: marissah@usahockey.org Kristen Wright Manager, Girls Player Development Phone: (719) 538-1518 Email: kristenw@usahockey.org Joe Eppolito Director, Girls 15 Player Development Camp Email: jeppolit@twcny.rr.com Bill Leidt Director, Girls 15 Player Development Camp Email: bill.leidt@gmail.com Walter O Brien Director, Girls 15 Player Development Camp Email: winedge2263@aol.com Nancy Wefler Director, Girls 15 Player Development Camp Email: nancy.wefler@minnesotahockey.org 15