After arriving and getting settled in on campus yesterday, players at the Boys Select 15 Player Development Camp were in for a full schedule today in Amherst, N.Y.
The first on-ice sessions on tap were half-ice three-on-three games. Each ice slot included two teams, which split up and played two simultaneous half-ice games that included two 22-minute halves. In the continuous game format, the players were prompted by the buzzer to change every minute. The format allowed for players to show their creativity while forcing them into situations that provide more puck touches, body contact and quick thinking to start camp.
In the late afternoon and evening, teams were back on the ice for practices designed and run by USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program coaches. Head coach Seth Appert and associate coach Nick Fohr led the players through the hour-long skate designed to key in on a few different concepts, including angling, zone entries, back pressure and transition offense.
Throughout the day, teams also attended a presentation on performance nutrition led by Kaitlyn Summers, MS, RD, of WNY Performance Nutrition. She touched on several topics surrounding how a nutrition plan and balanced diet can impact athletic performance.
After the presentation, each team selected one player as a spokesperson for a competitive quiz that included questions on each topic Summers touched on.