TPH announces new Center of Excellence location in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce the opening of its fifth Center of Excellence in Grand Rapids, Mich.  Grand Rapids will join Bloomfield Township as the second CoE in the state of Michigan, and will be housed inside Southside Ice Arena in Byron Center, a southern suburb of Grand Rapids.

TPH will enter into a partnership with Southside Ice Arena and its co-owners Travis Richards and Mike Slobodnik.  Both Richards and Slobodnik bring extensive hockey backgrounds to the TPH family. The two serve as coaches and leaders of the Fox Motors Hockey Club, a Tier I and Tier II organization they founded in 2013 that features 29 teams from the mite through midget age groups.

“Grand Rapids is a terrific location for a Center of Excellence,” TPH Chief Operating Officer Nathan Bowen said.  “The venue is exceptional, the location is populated with rising hockey talent and our partners share our values.  Both Travis and Mike have great passion for mentoring student-athletes. They are the definition of what it means to be fully ‘invested’ in what they do. We couldn’t be happier about this announcement.”

Built in 1996, Southside Ice Arena is a two-sheet facility located 13 miles south of downtown Grand Rapids. In 2013, the facility underwent a $1 million renovation. The venue will feature a newly constructed classroom (equipped with up to three different learning spaces), a recently renovated off-ice training center, ample locker room space and on-site dining facilities. The Grand Rapids CoE will allow student-athletes to Study, Train and Play all under one roof, maximizing each individual’s hockey, athletic and academic development.

Partners Richards and Slobodnik have not only spent most of their adult life working in and around the game of hockey, but they have established roots in the Grand Rapids area. Slobodnik, a Grand Rapids native, currently coaches at both the pee wee major level for Fox Motors and at the high school level for Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Slobodnik brings 20 years of youth, high school and junior playing experience to TPH, and he has also coached at five USA Hockey national camps.

Richards played ten seasons for the Grand Rapids Griffins and holds the record for most career games with the franchise at 655. Following his retirement, his No. 24 was raised to rafters of Van Andel Arena, becoming the first Griff to enjoy such an accomplishment. Travis brings a lifetime of dedication to the game of hockey, which also includes four seasons as a member of his hometown University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Richards and Slobodnik both believe the Grand Rapids market as a whole is ready to offer an ‘academy-style’ model for its hockey players and feel fortunate to have their venue house the Center of Excellence.

“Both Mike and I are deeply passionate about the growth and development of the hockey players involved in all programs at Southside Ice Arena,” Richards said. “The CoE model will provide the ultimate development opportunity for local players who have a desire to be the best they can be on the ice, in the gym and most importantly, in the classroom. Mike and I take great pride in doing things the right way and giving our best to shape young kids into young men through the game of ice hockey. Hockey is who I am; it is where I made almost all my friends. My goal is to share my wonderful experiences with as many kids as possible. The CoE model provides us with yet another avenue to do that.”

For Mike Slobodnik, “classroom” and the commitment to the academic portion of the CoE model is what he found most impressive when learning about the CoE. Slobodnik believes TPH’s commitment to academics is what prospective student-athletes and their families will appreciate most.

“TPH’s reputation for developing hockey players is extremely positive and well-known throughout the hockey community,” Slobodnik said. “Nathan Bowen and his team didn’t have to do much to convince us that their training methods are cutting edge and transferrable to today’s game. What impressed Travis and I most is that so many of our questions about the academic side of the CoE model were answered in the early stages, without us even having to ask. TPH has invested many resources to ensure that its student-athletes are getting an academic experience that prepares each individual so that he or will be successful in college and in life. They love answering the tough questions about academics and we are excited to put the TPH team in front of our families so they can show our market just how committed they are to the academic experience at the Center of Excellence.”

Brandon Naurato is the director of player development for all of TPH; he founded TPH’s first Center of Excellence in Canton, Mich. in 2014. Naurato, who also serves as a player development consultant for the Detroit Red Wings, takes great pride in the “positive reputation” Slobodnik references, he and believes Grand Rapids is an emerging market – one that fits perfectly in TPH’s Michigan blueprint.

“Grand Rapids is on the rise as a hockey market,” Naurato said. “Travis, Mike and the Fox Motors group are building their hockey program the right way, no different than how we have tried to approach the growth of the CoE model over the past five years.”

In addition, Naurato also hopes TPH’s track record for player advancement will excite dedicated hockey players in the Grand Rapids market.

“The Center of Excellence model alone has produced four NHL draft picks, 33 NCAA Division I commitments and over 60 USHL and NAHL players,” Naurato added.  “This has been accomplished because of the hockey, academic and social environments we have tried to foster, and most importantly, because of the passion and commitment shown by the student-athletes.  The bottom line is it’s their stage. We just try and help them dance. Travis, Mike and the staff we hire on the ground in Grand Rapids will be totally committed to positively impacting the lives of student-athletes.”

With the 2019-2020 school year right around the corner, TPH will be hosting an open house for interested student-athletes and their families on Jan. 9 and 10 at Southside Ice Arena.  For more information on the Center of Excellence model and the upcoming orientation, please visit the links below.

Nashville Natives Moulton, Schultheis Soaking Up Preds Development Camp

It’s only a matter of time.

 

One day, a young hockey player born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, will make his NHL debut. While that moment hasn’t happened quite yet, a pair of hometown kids are experiencing what might just be the next best thing.

 

Defensemen Dylan Moulton and Ben Schultheis, both Nashville natives, have been participating in Predators Development Camp this week at Centennial Sportsplex. The camp invitees are skilled hockey players in their own right, and they’re here to learn and become better players first and foremost.

 

But, come on, this is really something, right?

 

“It’s been really cool,” Schultheis said of the experience. “I grew up watching the Preds, and it’s really cool to get behind the scenes, see how the players are treated and how the organization works. It’s been awesome.”

 

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I grew up watching the team,” Moulton said. “I was there for all the Playoff games when they made it to the [Stanley Cup] Final… and I’ve been coming to the rink since I was six months old, so it’s pretty special.”

 

Moulton, who is now 18, is from Nolensville, Tennessee, while 19-year-old Schultheis calls Mt. Juliet, Tennessee home. Moulton’s father used to work for the Predators in the front office, and Schultheis took his first skating lesson on the same rink where he’s been sporting the Preds logo on his jersey all week long.

 

Needless to say, it’s been a surreal experience for the two young men who have plenty of memories with the organization over the years.

Schultheis says former Preds Captain Shea Weber is his favorite player, while Moulton was fond of former winger Paul Kariya, the first true offensive superstar ever on the Nashville roster. And then, there was the run in 2017.

“My best memory is the clinching game to get to the Final [in 2017],” Moulton said of Nashville’s victory over the Anaheim Ducks to win the Western Conference. “That was the loudest I’ve ever heard [Bridgestone Arena]. That was pretty special. I was with my dad at that game, and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

It’s moments like that which have helped to not only grow the fanbase, but inspire a new generation of native Nashvillians to play the game. Moulton and Schultheis were once those young kids who watched the likes of Weber and Kariya patrol the ice for the Predators, and now, they’re getting dressed in the same locker room, skating on the same ice and experiencing the same culture that players have come to know and love in Nashville over the years.

“I’m definitely trying to learn everything I can and soak it in like a sponge,” Schultheis said. “They’re giving us so much information, and I’m trying to learn it and be able to apply it to next season.”

“Getting the experience and everything, it’s kind of like going to school and learning,” Moulton said. “Especially learning from players like Dante Fabbro, how they carry themselves, how they treat their bodies, how to work out, it’s really gaining all that experience, and hopefully I can build my game to that level at some point.”

The two blueliners have done all right for themselves thus far – both have skated at the NAHL and USHL junior levels – and the NCAA route could come in short order.Set featured image

But for now, they’re focusing on their current duties at an NHL development camp – in their hometown.

“You have to step back every once in a while and appreciate what’s going on,” Moulton said. “I was by myself the other day, and I just took a moment to sit in the locker room. This is something special.”

Read original article at: https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-natives-moulton-schultheis-soaking-up-preds-development-camp/c-308117510

Eleven #TPHTrained players selected in 2019 NHL Draft

Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate the 11 #TPHTrained players who heard their names called during the 2019 NHL Draft.

Headlined by two TPH Center of Excellence alums, players who participated with OHL Cup and World Select Invite TPH teams and/or skated in TPH training programs were featured in five of the seven rounds Friday and Saturday in Vancouver.

“We are incredibly excited to celebrate these #TPHTrained players and recognize their latest accomplishment – one that most hockey players can only dream of,” said TPH CEO Nathan Bowen. “Being drafted by an NHL franchise is a remarkable honor, and a major step in the ultimate goal of playing professional hockey. They’ve earned this, and we can’t wait to see where they go from here.”

In the first round, Johnny Beecher was selected at No. 30 overall by the Boston Bruins. Beecher, a forward with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 Team, played for the TPH team at the OHL Cup in 2017.

The second round featured the first of two TPH Center of Excellence alums being selected, as Arthur Kaliyev was claimed by the Los Angeles Kings. Kaliyev, who attended the Center of Excellence in Detroit before joining the Hamilton Bulldogs for the 2017-18 OHL season, racked up 51 goals and 51 assists for 102 points in 67 sophomore-season games.

Shortly after the Kaliyev selection, Egor Afanasyev heard his name called by the Nashville Predators. Afanasyev, a standout forward for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, played for the same TPH team at the OHL Cup as Beecher.

Flint Firebirds defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok was claimed at No. 52 overall. TPH Detroit’s Matt Larke served as a skills coach for the Firebirds in 2018-19, thus bringing TPH training to the OHL franchise in Flint.

Nick Robertson was selected one pick later; the Peterborough Petes forward registered 55 points in 54 games this past season. Robertson played for the TPH squad at the World Selects Invite in 2015-16.

In the fourth round, Center of Excellence alum Hunter Skinner was selected by the New York Rangers. The 2018-19 campaign marked his first full season of USHL play, and Skinner racked up 22 points from the blue line during his time with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Lincoln Stars. Along with attending the Detroit CoE, Skinner played on the OHL Cup team in 2017, and he attends the TPH 8 Week Progression Program in the offseason.

Next up was Mason Millman, who was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers. Millman skates for the Saginaw Spirit, which utilizes TPH training during practices with TPH director of player development Brandon Naurato.

Later in the fourth round, the Vancouver Canucks picked Ethan Keppen, who plays for the Flint Firebirds and trained with Larke.

In the fifth round, Logan Neaton was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets. Neaton played for Michigan Hockey Advancement during his high school hockey days in Metro Detroit. He has also participated in the 8 Week Progression Program.

Rounding out the #TPHTrained contingent were Spirit forwards Nicholas Porco (fifth round) and Cole Coskey (seventh round), Saginaw Spirit players who trained with Naurato this past season.

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

TPH to Utilize 3 Day On-Ice Training Model in Colorado

Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce that it will utilize its first ever three-day on-ice training format in its Colorado Center of Excellence, housed inside Family Sports.  Student-athletes will train off the ice five days per week at either the South Suburban Sports Dome, or at Landow Sports Performance, under the director of Loren Landow and his first-rate team of coaches.  Student-athletes will have the option to touch the ice four days each week, but the specific CoE on-ice curriculum will be adjusted for Colorado, to fit within three days, allowing for better rest and recovery, vital to all hockey players, specifically the ‘AAA,’ ‘AA’ and competitive ‘A’ level travel players within TPH-Colorado’s target demographic.

“TPH understands that young hockey players in Colorado, especially those who play at the Tier I level, face a great deal of travel to and from their games,” Director of Hockey-Operations Jordan Pietrus said.  “Adopting an approach that centers on three days of on-ice training versus the standard four days means that the student-athletes who attend our CoE and play ‘AAA’ hockey will be sharper, more rested and therefore more focused for all CoE training sessions as well as practices and games with their club teams.  For those student-athletes who have a light week travel-wise or find they have the energy to touch the ice four days, we will offer a completely individualized on-ice opportunity on the fourth day.  But we are adapting the actual focused curriculum to three days to accommodate the Colorado player and the demands he or she faces.”

One of the staples of the Center of Excellence model is to offer a firm but flexible approach in its efforts to assist each individual to Study, Train and Play to his or her fullest potential.  Pietrus believes the decision to condense the model in Colorado is a sign of TPH’s commitment to that philosophy.

“The CoE model has aided in the on and off-ice development of over 30 Division I players and has seen four CoE alumni get drafted into the NHL,” Pietrus noted.  “Our goal in Colorado from a hockey-standpoint, is to apply our training model and add to that number in time.  Training three days on the ice gives us the best opportunity to help our hockey players achieve their goals while doing right by the market.”

Interested in learning more about the CoE model?

 

Nine #TPHTrained players invited to World Junior Summer Showcase

Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate the nine #TPHTrained players who have received invitations from USA Hockey to participate in the World Junior Summer Showcase.

The Summer Showcase, which returns to Plymouth, Mich., after taking place in Lake Placid last summer, serves as an annual kick-off event for the World Junior selection process. Canada, Finland and Sweden will join Team USA in a series of games at USA Hockey Arena from July 26 through Aug. 3.

Five of the players on the U.S. roster are TPH Center of Excellence alums, while four others have taken part in TPH programs during their careers.

“The whole 2000/2001 birth-year group will always hold a special place in the hearts of our TPH family – especially my own,” said TPH director of player development Brandon Naurato. “They were the first group of young men to lead the Center of Excellence and set the bar for the future student-athletes.

“I am extremely honored to have had the opportunity to help them grow as people and players over the years, and I’m always amazed at the success they continue to have on and off the ice.”

Congrats to the following #TPHTrained players:

Drew DeRidder – Michigan State – TPH CoE

Christian Krygier – Michigan State – TPH CoE

Arthur Kaliyev – Hamilton Bulldogs – TPH CoE

Blade Jenkins – Saginaw Spirit – TPH CoE

Bode Wilde – Saginaw Spirit – TPH CoE

John Gruden – 8 Week Progression Program

Alec Regula – 8 Week Progression Program, OHL Cup team

John Beecher – OHL Cup team

Nick Robertson – World Selects Invite team

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Edmentum and Total Package Hockey Partner to Support Student-Athlete Success

Total Package Hockey student-athletes who studied through EdOptions Academy achieved a 100% graduation rate over past two years

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Edmentum, a global education leader and a pioneer in online teaching and learning solutions, has announced a partnership with Total Package Hockey (TPH), the leading hockey service provider in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through hockey. This innovative partnership brings together TPH’s commitment to the academic success of student-athletes and Edmentum’s extensive history in digital curriculum, adaptive assessments, and educational consulting. This unique blend of core instruction and mentoring is designed to facilitate a positive, individualized approach to learning.

Total Package Hockey will use Edmentum’s EdOptions Academy to drive forward academic support of student-athletes within TPH Centers of Excellence. Edmentum’s EdOptions Academy is fully accredited through AdvancEd®. Highly qualified, state-certified teachers experienced in online instruction deliver research-based curricula through a wholly virtual environment. TPH Centers of Excellence are focused environments where dedicated student-athletes train with innovative hockey training methods, play to their fullest potential, and study through blending online learning with EdOptions Academy.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the tremendous team at Total Package Hockey,” said Ryan Hagedorn, Edmentum’s chief operating officer. “We know that every student’s learning journey is different, and we are committed to providing high-quality curriculum and instruction that is flexible enough to meet each of student’s unique needs. We are honored to be a part of TPH’s innovative and engaging program for student-athletes.”

Student-athletes are offered a one-of-a-kind, personalized experience that affords the flexibility to succeed in a blended learning environment. Regularly scheduled live lessons, weekly goal setting, tutoring sessions, and virtual office hours all work together to ensure that students feel supported and engaged every step of the way. Students are presented with a wide range of core, college preparatory, and Advanced Placement® courses, all of which are NCAA® approved. Additionally, students have easy access to a dedicated guidance counselor during their academic journey, ensuring compliance with NCAA Eligibility Center requirements.

“This unique and powerful partnership combines proven, accredited online learning with hands-on, state-of-the-art training and instruction,” said Nathan Bowen, Total Package Hockey chief executive officer. “We are tremendously proud of our Centers of Excellence, our team, and the success experienced through our work with Edmentum.”

In just six years, four Center of Excellence alumni have been drafted to the National Hockey League (NHL), and 35 have made NCAA commitments. What’s more, over the last two years, TPH student-athletes who studied through EdOptions Academy achieved a 100-percent graduation rate, while the Center of Excellence model has helped produce student-athletes committed to or currently attending 18 universities listed in U.S. News’ Best National Universities.

About Edmentum

Edmentum, Inc., is committed to making it easier for educators to individualize learning for every student through simple technology, high-quality content, and actionable data. Founded in innovation, Edmentum’s powerful learning programs blend technology with individual teaching approaches. Edmentum is committed to being educators’ most trusted partner in creating successful student outcomes everywhere learning occurs. Edmentum solutions currently support educators and students in more than 40,000 schools nationwide. For more information, visit edmentum.com.

About Total Package Hockey

Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship, and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors, and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics, and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. For more information, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com/.

Total Package Hockey and TPH are trademarks of Innovative V LLC.

AdvancED is a trademark of Advance Education, Inc.

Advanced Placement is a trademark of the College Board.

NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Edmentum and EdOptions Academy are trademarks of Edmentum, Inc.

29 #TPHTrained Drafted or Tendered following NAHL Draft

The 2019 NAHL Draft took place on Tuesday, June 4th where we are proud to announce 10 #TPHTrained players were selected. In addition, 18 more #TPHTrained players have been tendered for the upcoming NAHL season to this point.

 

Draft Position – Player – Draft Team – TPH Program

No. 38 – Kyle Kawamura – Corpus Christi Ice Rays – Thunder AAA & 8-Week Program

No. 70 – Bobby Burns – Springfield Jr. Blues – Center of Excellence & 8-Week Program

No. 105 – Cannon Green – Maine Nordiques – Center of Excellence & OHL Cup

No. 161 – Owen Kelly – Corpus Christi Ice Rays – 8-Week Program

No. 171 – Ryan Sorkin – Shreveport Mudbugs – OHL Cup

No. 187 – Owen Michaels – Chippewa Steel – 8-Week Program

No. 223 – Josh Deluca – Shreveport Mudbugs – 8-Week Program

No. 230 – Riley Stuart – Johnstown Tomahawks – WSI

No. 308 – Michael Mercurio – Johnstown Tomahawks – OHL Cup

 

The #TPHTrained players to this point that have signed tenders going into the NAHL 2019-2020 season are:

Player – TPH Program

Billy Simms – Lonestar Brahmas – Center of Excellence & 8-Week Program

Brendan Murphy – Michigan Hockey Advancement

Bryce Kallen – Michigan Hockey Advancement

Carter Korpi – 8-Week Program & Michigan Hockey Advancement

Chuck Bay – Thunder AAA

Colin Kerchoff – 8-Week Program

Dalton Norris – Center of Excellence & 8-Week Program

Davis Goukler – Thunder AAA & 8-Week Program

Griffon Sanom – Center of Excellence, Michigan Hockey Advancement, & 8-Week Program

Hunter Longhi – WSI

Jack Hillman – Center of Excellence

Joe McCollum – Center of Excellence

John Druskinis – Michigan Hockey Advancement & OHL Cup

Mitch Morris – Michigan Hockey Advancement & 8-Week Program

Ryan Kerchoff – 8-Week Program

Ryan Waltman – Center of Excellence

Tim Erkkila – Michigan Hockey Advancement & 8-Week Program

Trent Grimshaw – Center of Excellence

Trevor Russell – Thunder AAA, OHL Cup & 8-Week Program

 

To read more about the NAHL Draft click here.

 

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Karlander, Van Drunen join Grand Rapids CoE team

Total Package Hockey is proud to announce the additions of Kory Karlander and David Van Drunen to the Grand Rapids Center of Excellence for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.

In their new roles of player development coaches and mentors, the two bring a combined 32 years of professional hockey playing experience to the growing staff at the new CoE at the Southside Ice Arena on Michigan’s west side.

“Both Kory and David have a passion for helping the next generation of hockey players, and we’re excited to have them join our team for our inaugural school year,” said TPH GR director of hockey Joel Kwiatkowski. “From playing such extensive professional careers and now both coaching in the youth ranks, they know from experience what it takes to reach the highest levels of hockey, and how to communicate those lessons to our young student-athletes.”

Karlander, a co-hockey director for the Fox Motors Hockey Club, coaches two youth teams after a 18-year professional hockey career. A Northern Michigan alum, Karlander played for the Grand Rapids Griffins in five different seasons, and seven seasons with the Kalamazoo Wings. He served as an assistant captain for the Wings from 2005-13 before retiring from professional hockey.

Other hockey stops for Karlander included the Detroit Vipers (IHL) and two years with the Belfast Giants in the British Ice Hockey Superleague.

Van Drunen, a coach of Fox Motors midget teams, played for the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL for junior hockey before embarking on a 14-year professional career that brought him to Michigan.

He played five seasons for the Griffins, and four for the Muskegon Fury, before concluding his career with the Odessa Jackalopes in 2010-11.

Along the way, Van Drunen also played for the Detroit Vipers and the Saginaw Gears as he made his way around the Great Lakes State.

Both work for the Southside Ice Arena, extending their roots in the Grand Rapids hockey community.

For more information about the TPH Center of Excellence in Grand Rapids, click here.

 

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Lala Wilcox Joins TPH-Atlanta as Director of Academics

Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce that Lala Wilcox will serve as the Director of Academics for the Center of Excellence in Atlanta, Ga. for the 2019-2020 school year.

Lala brings thirteen years of experience serving as a teacher leader, new teacher mentor and student mentor to the TPH team. Lala will be replacing Kris Jennings, who will be transitioning to Nashville and will join the Center of Excellence in Nashville, Tenn.

Lala graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s in Biology Education. Since graduation Lala has taught all grade levels of high school science teaching students ranging from at ‘risk/struggling’ students to ‘gifted/accelerated’.

“In Lala, we feel we have found an Academic Director who will continue the standard of Academic Excellence in the Atlanta CoE” said Steve Jennings, Director at the Center of Excellence-Nashville. “I am certain we have found the absolute right person to join our team and look forward to seeing the continued academic growth of the Center under Lala’s Leadership.”

“We are very excited to add Lala to our team here in Atlanta. She has the necessary structure, discipline, and work ethic to keep the Atlanta center of excellence growing.” said Brad Schell, the Director of operations in Atlanta.

On behalf of the everyone in the TPH family, welcome to the TPH-Atlanta team.

To apply to the TPH Center of Excellence – Atlanta for the 2019-2020 school year, please click here. 

 

About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.

Grand Rapids Construction Completed!

Wow, June is already here!  I hope everyone is enjoying their summers.  Players, I hope that while you are enjoying some down time, you are training hard for the upcoming season.

I am really excited to share this update with you all!  Have a look at the photos below.  We have completed the construction of the academic wing at our Center of Excellence at Southside Ice Arena here in Grand Rapids.  While we are currently in the process of furnishing and branding our academic setup, construction is complete and the space looks fantastic.

Once complete, the TPH-Grand Rapids CoE academic setup will feature 3-4 different learning spaces, allowing us to customize the learning experience and put each individual in an environment where he or she learns best.  The space will feature a traditional, rectangle-style classroom area, high top tables for active learners, comfortable chairs for students who learn best in a relaxed environment and independent study spaces for students who value quiet and privacy.  Individualizing and customizing the learning experience is the name of the game with the CoE model.  I know our Director of Academics Leah Sarnicola is super-excited to take charge of this space and foster a culture that promotes discipline, structure and most importantly, academic performance.

If you are interested in the Center of Excellence for the 2019-2020 school year, please feel free to reach out to me at any time and we can arrange a day and time to have a conversation either over the phone, or on-site at the CoE.  If you’re ready to take the first formal step towards securing your space at the CoE, please visit the link below to apply and reserve your spot.