Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/81890
Top coaches from around the country were able to work with more kids at these revamped camps. kids learn at camp about teamwork and dis- cipline will be qualities they take with them for the rest of their lives. "To have these kind of camps at every District of USA Hockey is extremely ben- eficial to the players," Gendron said. "It gives more kids an opportunity to be a part of the whole pyramid of USA Hockey's player development." Joe Doyle, a regional manager of the American Development Model, said the main component of the newly-designed Select 14 camps is that Districts can dupli- cate the curriculum of the national camps at a local level, which saves time, money and impacts more players. "THE INTENSITY ON THE ICE AND THE BONDING THESE KIDS EXPERIENCE IS GREAT." — HUGO CORDOVA, HOCKEY DAD "These camps have more to do with training and development than it has to do with evaluating players," Doyle said. "We are hoping to plant the seeds of knowledge and those who are truly hungry and want to get after it can do that on their own. That way, by the time they're 16, 17, or 18, it will have a real impact on their game." Each regional select camp featured on- ice and off-ice training sessions, as well as seminars dealing with important topics ranging from nutrition and strength/con- ditioning to opportunities in hockey. All seminars were open to parents. Griffin Clark, who attended the Southeast District Select 14 camp in Nashville, said the off-ice seminars were his favorite part of the camp. "The seminars have been a highlight [of the week]," the Charlotte, N.C. native said. "They taught me a lot of things, not just about hockey but about life. They taught me how to be an organized individual, how to never give up [and] perseverance." 30 Hugo Cordova has two 20-year-old twin boys that never got invited to a national camp. So to have his youngest son qual- ify for the new version of the Southeast District camp was a humbling and reward- ing experience. "The intensity on the ice and the bond- ing these kids experience is great," Cordova said. "Every child needs to experience this camp because if they really want to play in the future these camps [will] really help them out." teach you different things and I learned new things. It was a good experience." Morrison's father, William, also appreci- ated the opportunity for his son and other players from non-traditional areas to learn from some of the top coaches in the coun- try. Josh Morrison, who played "A" hock- ey last season for San Diego Ice Arena, enjoyed his time at the Western Regional Multi-District High Performance Boys Select 14 Camp, which included play- ers from the Rocky Mountain, Northern Plains and Pacific Districts. It was not only an opportunity for players to see what they need to work on to continue their develop- ment but also to make new friendships with other young skaters from other states. "It was nice coming out of California and seeing new coaches," Morrison said. "They "Just making it through the process we were on cloud nine. It has opened so many doors that we didn't even know were there," Morrison said. "You're talking about a kid who isn't mainstream. We're from San Diego. If it was the old [way] Josh probably would not have made the cut." The way that USA Hockey sees it, the change is really addition by subtraction as the new format provides even greater opportunities for a larger base of players who have not even scratched the surface of their full potential. "By USA Hockey eliminating the 14 camp they didn't eliminate the 14 camp," Lampl said. "They created opportunities for 800 more additional kids." N SEPTEMBER.2012 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS BY Cory Portner and Donn Jones