Teaching Skills The NTDP Way

By: 
Jon Oman

As the success of the National Team Development Program grows, so does the interest level of those wanting to be the best by learning from the best.

In its first decade, the NTDP camp has become one of the premiere summer hockey schools in the nation.

The hockey school, which is held at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich., consists of two weeklong sessions, and is open to players of all ages and skill levels.

The first session will be held July 7-11 followed by a second session July 14-18. Players are separated by age and skill into smaller groups, and will receive individual attention from the camp staff.

“Our camp has such a diverse base, which allows us to teach so many different skills on and off the ice,” Camp Director Chadd Cassidy says. “We have expanded the camp and at the same time specialized it to meet each camper’s needs.”

Cassidy will join U.S. National coaches John Hynes and Ron Rolston to help demonstrate techniques and drills used to train the nation’s top Under-18 players at the NTDP.

Current and former Team USA players will  be on hand to teach and counsel the campers.

In addition, NTDP strength coach Darryl Nelson will also serve as the off-ice and strength and conditioning coordinator.

One of the biggest measuring sticks of improvement with the two NTDP squads is the gains made in the weight room. Campers will learn the same lifting techniques and exercises as these National teams and will even be given material to take home for future use.  

“We offer a great player-to-coach ratio and fun, yet useful drills,” says Cassidy. “We work every day during the year to improve the overall level of American Hockey through our two national teams based in Ann Arbor. This gives us the chance to extend our reach and teach kids at a younger age those same skills.”

All class sessions are held during the day with lunch and a camp jersey included.

For more information on what will surely be one of the hottest hockey schools of the summer, log on to USAHockey.com and click on Team USA and look for the NTDP entry to download a full color brochure.

Issue: 
2008-04

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