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Summer Camp Sets Sights on Long Term Goals

By Minnesota Hockey, 06/16/16, 3:00PM CDT

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The 2016 Girls' HP 15 Summer Development Camp concluded Thursday, June 16th in St. Cloud.

For the top 15-year old girls’ players in Minnesota, the CCM High Performance 15 Summer Development Camp was an experience few will forget any time soon. Not only did they have an opportunity to spend a week playing hockey with and against the best players at their age level, but they received a high speed course in what it takes to reach their potential as hockey players.

 “Our camp is called a development camp,” said the camp’s coaching director, Amber Fryklund. “It is an evaluation to move on to the next level, but we’re here to develop these kids first and foremost.”

From the time players set foot on campus at Saint Cloud State University until they headed home, they were exposed to a wide variety of training tips, tools and information designed to help each of them continue to develop and eventually reach their goals.

The Process of Development

The players were divided into six even teams, and the teams took turns practicing with and competing against each other. Every day consisted of a practice in the morning where coaches utilize age-appropriate practice plans to teach a number of skills, habits and concepts. Then, players were encouraged to incorporate those lessons into games later in the day.

“From Division III coaches, Division I coaches and high school coaches, they get a lot of coaching from different perspectives,” added Fryklund. “When they are being evaluated during the game, you hope to see those skills being implemented or they get better during the week.”

The coaching didn’t stop when the players exited the rink though.

“Playing at the college level, the next level, whether it’s Division I or Division III, off-ice training and fitness level is an important piece,” said Fryklund.

One of goals of camp was to enable players to make strength building a priority, even if they can’t get into a weight room when they return home. All the players and teams participated in daily dryland sessions with a strength coach. They were introduced to how to properly incorporate flexibility and strength training, as well as warm-up and cool-down techniques, so they can maximize performance while also preventing injuries.

An Unexpected Education

The participants at the Girls HP 15 Summer Development Camp also attended a variety of informational sessions. The camp featured classroom discussions on mental training and included dinner speakers such as Minnesota head coach Brad Frost on the recruiting process. One of the sessions even highlighted each counselor’s unique path to college hockey.

“I think it’s very cool for the campers to hear their stories and their path,” said Fryklund. “[The counselors] are spending their days with them and the girls are able to ask them questions one-on-one or with their teams.”

With the counselors coming from an array of backgrounds and from both Division I and Division III teams, the players got a glimpse at their options by talking with role models who have recently been in their shoes.

“They can do anything they set their mind to,” said Minnesota State senior Sara Bustad, who has been a counselor at camp the past three years. “If they want to go play Division I collegiate hockey, it’s completely within their reach. If they want to go beyond that and play for the U.S. National team or even the Olympic team, it’s definitely there. They just have to be willing to work hard enough and set away that time to make sure they get to that level.”

At the same time, players were reminded reaching those elite levels of hockey isn’t a done deal just because they made it to this point. There are a lot of good girls’ hockey players across the country, as well as Europe and Canada. And that’s not to mention the girls who didn’t make it to camp but may hit their stride at a later time.

“Kids develop at different levels and different times in their life,” said Fryklund. “Some kids hit their peak in talent early and some hit it later, and that’s why it’s important they use these opportunities they have to get better. Use it as a development tool and keep getting better on that journey.”

Which players fall into which categories has yet to be decided, but after attending the development camp, they’re all much better equipped to strive to be their best. 

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For the top 15-year old girls’ players in Minnesota, the CCM High Performance 15 Summer Development Camp was an experience few will forget any time soon. Not only did they have an opportunity to spend a week playing hockey with and against the best players at their age level, but they received a high speed course in what it takes to reach their potential as hockey players.

 “Our camp is called a development camp,” said the camp’s coaching director, Amber Fryklund. “It is an evaluation to move on to the next level, but we’re here to develop these kids first and foremost.”

From the time players set foot on campus at Saint Cloud State University until they headed home, they were exposed to a wide variety of training tips, tools and information designed to help each of them continue to develop and eventually reach their goals.

The Process of Development

The players were divided into six even teams, and the teams took turns practicing with and competing against each other. Every day consisted of a practice in the morning where coaches utilize age-appropriate practice plans to teach a number of skills, habits and concepts. Then, players were encouraged to incorporate those lessons into games later in the day.

“From Division III coaches, Division I coaches and high school coaches, they get a lot of coaching from different perspectives,” added Fryklund. “When they are being evaluated during the game, you hope to see those skills being implemented or they get better during the week.”

The coaching didn’t stop when the players exited the rink though.

“Playing at the college level, the next level, whether it’s Division I or Division III, off-ice training and fitness level is an important piece,” said Fryklund.

One of goals of camp was to enable players to make strength building a priority, even if they can’t get into a weight room when they return home. All the players and teams participated in daily dryland sessions with a strength coach. They were introduced to how to properly incorporate flexibility and strength training, as well as warm-up and cool-down techniques, so they can maximize performance while also preventing injuries.

An Unexpected Education

The participants at the Girls HP 15 Summer Development Camp also attended a variety of informational sessions. The camp featured classroom discussions on mental training and included dinner speakers such as Minnesota head coach Brad Frost on the recruiting process. One of the sessions even highlighted each counselor’s unique path to college hockey.

“I think it’s very cool for the campers to hear their stories and their path,” said Fryklund. “[The counselors] are spending their days with them and the girls are able to ask them questions one-on-one or with their teams.”

With the counselors coming from an array of backgrounds and from both Division I and Division III teams, the players got a glimpse at their options by talking with role models who have recently been in their shoes.

“They can do anything they set their mind to,” said Minnesota State senior Sara Bustad, who has been a counselor at camp the past three years. “If they want to go play Division I collegiate hockey, it’s completely within their reach. If they want to go beyond that and play for the U.S. National team or even the Olympic team, it’s definitely there. They just have to be willing to work hard enough and set away that time to make sure they get to that level.”

At the same time, players were reminded reaching those elite levels of hockey isn’t a done deal just because they made it to this point. There are a lot of good girls’ hockey players across the country, as well as Europe and Canada. And that’s not to mention the girls who didn’t make it to camp but may hit their stride at a later time.

“Kids develop at different levels and different times in their life,” said Fryklund. “Some kids hit their peak in talent early and some hit it later, and that’s why it’s important they use these opportunities they have to get better. Use it as a development tool and keep getting better on that journey.”

Which players fall into which categories has yet to be decided, but after attending the development camp, they’re all much better equipped to strive to be their best. 

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