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Connected Coaching
TPH Academy partners with MEGA Goaltending to offer additional support to all TPH Academy goalies
TPH Academy is proud to announce a new partnership with MEGA Goaltending. This program will provide TPH Academy goaltenders with access to a full school year of training content and guidance, including weekly skill progressions and goalie-specific mental skills training through MEGA’s digital goaltending platform.
MEGA programs have been designed to develop and refine a goaltender’s skills in a challenging and purposeful environment. MEGA’s dynamic coaching staff includes multiple collegiate goalie coaches who ensure that every student receives a quality training experience.
“MEGA Goaltending is a world leader in educating and training goalies at all levels,” said Alan Keeso, CEO of Total Package Hockey. “Their team is incredibly passionate about supporting the unique physical and mental demands of the position. We’re thrilled to be bringing their expertise across TPH through their cutting-edge digital platform and to see the positive impact it will have on TPH goalies. We believe TPH goaltenders will experience next-level engagement in their goaltending craft through MEGA’s innovative digital platform.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with TPH Academy and their goaltenders this year. We share in their core principles of helping to shape the next generation of impact players and were impressed with their holistic approach. With the Connected Coaching program, we aim to enrich the goaltender’s experience this season, and cannot wait to get started!” MEGA Goaltending Founder Justin Johnson.
The TPH leadership team collaborated with the MEGA Goaltending staff to handcraft two training packages, ensuring that each TPH Academy goaltender could access a program that fit their needs. The new partnership packages include:
Connected Coaching Program: ($600)
The Connected Coaching program is provided to all TPH Academy goalies at no additional cost and is customized for each Academy location in order to match the on-ice curriculum.
Connected Coaching Elite: ($2,499)
The Connected Coaching Elite program allows athletes to share clips of their games, practices, or skill sessions with MEGA’s certified staff, who can then analyze and provide direct feedback to the student-athlete.
The benefits of each package include, but are not limited to:
- Live Q&A Support
- Weekly Drill Progression
- Customized Plan
- Pro Mental Skills Program
- Pro Examples
- Technique Seminars
When participating in MEGA programs, you can expect to learn important methods of goaltending and to receive the time and repetitions to discover which methods work best for you. In addition, MEGA coaches are passionate about developing the type of mental skills that will not only serve you well in the crease but later in life as well.
Click here to learn more about MEGA Goaltending at TPH Academy!
Draft Night
Three TPH Alumni Selected in the 2022 NHL Draft
It’s why you train relentlessly and outwork your opponents.
It’s the opportunity to accomplish a lifelong goal and secure a life-changing opportunity.
It’s a moment that every young hockey player dreams about.
It’s the NHL Draft.
“We’re incredibly excited for these young men as they take the next step in their journey with their selections in the 2022 NHL Draft,” said Alan Keeso, CEO of Total Package Hockey. “Team TPH cheered them on in the lead-up and throughout this special moment, while also pausing to appreciate the testament these advancements are to our program, process, and people.”
The hockey journeys of these three impact players included competition at the AAA level and advancement to USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP). Along the way, they also developed in their academics, fitness, hockey, and as people at TPH Academy, each entering the program intending to make it to the highest level in the game. Their pursuits required long days of training, traveling, studying, and competing, which ultimately developed them into the self-starting, well-rounded, and resilient athletes they are today.
The 2022 NHL Draft was the biggest moment of their careers yet. Here’s how it went:
Cutter Gauthier was the first TPH alumni taken off the board, as the Philadelphia Flyers selected him with the 5th overall pick. At 6-foot-2 and 200-pounds, the USNTDP forward was highly touted for his size, strength, and ability to fend off attackers and create turnovers in the offensive zone. The Boston College commit put up 28 points in 22 USHL games with the USNTDP juniors and many expect him to light it up for years to come.
His USNTDP teammate and fellow TPH Detroit Alumni, Rutger McGroarty was taken just a few picks later, as the Winnipeg Jets selected him with the 14th overall pick. After putting up 35 goals and 34 assists in 54 games with the USANDTP U18s, followed by 15 goals and 18 assists in just 25 USHL games, the 6-foot-1, 204-pound forward has proven himself as an elite goal scorer.
Lane Hutson was taken with the 62nd overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens. Hutson was described as being a ‘unicorn’ by USNTDP U18 coach, Nick Fohr, who noted Hutson’s well-rounded skill set and his ability to make defensive plays and generate on offense. Hutson led all USNTDP defensemen with 10 goals and 53 assists in 60 games.
We’re incredibly proud of this year’s TPH-eligible draft class and we look forward to watching this next generation of impact players on their journeys in and beyond the game.
Discover all of the ways that TPH Academy can help you achieve your goals and start your path with us here.
Detroit High School Sports Awards Honors Rick Gadwa
Rick Gadwa is Honored as 2022 John Herrington Coach of the Year Award
As a Michigan native, Rick Gadwa has deep roots in the Detroit community. Not only is he the current Manager of Operations & Programming at the TPH Detroit location, but he also developed and led the Michigan Hockey Advancement, a preseason education and exposure program designed to help the best high school hockey players compete against other top programs across the county. You’ll also find Rick behind the bench of the Hartland High School varsity boys hockey team as their head coach.
Rick creates traditions of excellence in each area of his life. That is probably why he led the Harland High School hockey team to their third state championship this past season. His passion and involvement with the athletes in the community go far beyond his job with the high school program. Because of the time and energy he pours into helping each player he interacts with reach their goals and take their talent to the next level, Rick has been honored as the Michigan High School Coach of the Year for all high school sports in the state of Michigan.
Rick attributes who he has become as a coach to the lessons he learned from his own experiences playing sports.
“My previous coaches taught me that mistakes are going to happen, but the coaches who are ultimately successful don’t let those mistakes define them. I am grateful for the incredible hockey minds I get to be around daily, absorbing their philosophies, and continuing to be a student of the game. This has allowed me to grow as a coach. I still make mistakes and am still growing, but I’ll continue to stay my course and surround myself with great people.” says Coach Gadwa.
We have seen first-hand how dedicated Rick is to the athletes he mentors and coaches and know this honor is well-deserved. “Rick does an amazing job with the [Hartland] program and works tirelessly to help players reach their goals and advance to the next level, not just for his Hartland program, but also at the Center of Excellence in Detroit and through his MHA program with TPH Detroit,” said Dave Sellin, TPH Detroit’s Coordinator of Operations & Programming. Coach Sellin continued “So, a well-deserved honor for a great coach and even better guy.”
“I’m extremely thankful to be recognized for the John Herrington Coach of the Year Award. Even though this award is given to one person, it’s a team award to me. I have the very best assistant coaches in the state. David Sellin, Kevin Carlile, and Tom McCarthy help so much in what we do day in and day out as a program. Without them, our team would not be where we are today. I also have a great support system within our athletic department, specifically our Athletic Director, JD Wheeler, and Athletic Secretary, Liz Streight. They do so much behind the scenes. Lastly, Coach of the Year Awards are won because of the players. This year, we had a very special group that knew how to lead, execute, and handle everything that was thrown their way. I’m very grateful for our army of coaches, staff, and players. This award is theirs, not just mine.”
Rick is a vital part of TPH Detroit. His passion and drive are what make him an incredible leader and coach. We are so proud of Rick and the characteristics that come with the honor of Coach of the Year are something he exudes through his work at TPH, in his coaching, and throughout the management of the Michigan Hockey Advancement. We are grateful to have him on our team!
If you are a Michigan High School Hockey player who wants more information on Michigan Hockey Advancement and would like to be a part of the incredible program Coach Gadwa developed, register for their upcoming tryouts: Grand Rapids | Gaylord | Farmington Hills
If you are an AAA Hockey player who wants to take your skills to the next level, learn more about TPH Detroit.
Fuel Your Game: TPH Partners With On Your Mark Nutrition
TPH Center of Excellence announces the launch of TPH Nutrition powered by On Your Mark Nutrition, a sport-specific program designed to fuel elite athletes; optimizing their performance, recovery and overall health. TPH serves student-athletes across 15 locations through its prospect programs and ‘Study. Train. Play.’ academy-style Center of Excellence model; advancing – in and beyond the game – the next generation of impact players.
On Your Mark Nutrition, led by Bryan Snyder, has guided NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB athletes in achieving their nutrition goals through personalized plans; honing their hydration, reducing injuries and enhancing performance. Additionally, Snyder is a proven leader in sports nutrition with 14+ years of experience, is a registered dietitian with Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and an active member of the Collegiate & Professional Sports Dietitian Association.
Over the past 5 years, Bryan has shifted gears by working with student-athletes and their parents; aiding them in strengthening their nutrition endeavors. Developing innovative solutions to keep TPH Center of Excellence student-athletes alert in the classroom while maximizing their athletic performance is what Snyder values and is his motivator. Together, TPH and On Your Mark Nutrition have developed a unique opportunity that eliminates the guesswork from refining nutrition efforts.
Alan Keeso, TPH CEO, mentioned “At TPH we strive to lead the world in the holistic development of student-athletes, and we know that proper nutrition is one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, components. Bryan Snyder is one of the foremost leaders in the Sports Dietitian industry, working directly with professional teams and athletes in the NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB, as well as aspiring elite student-athletes. What impresses us most about Bryan however, is his passion for investing in and teaching each and every athlete and family he works with. We believe that with the addition of TPH Nutrition powered by On Your Mark Nutrition, athletes and families will not only be learning how to perform better in the present to achieve their goals, but these athletes will also be building lifelong habits that will impact the long term health of not only themselves, but also their families, for years to come”.
Additionally, Bryan Snyder of On Your Mark Nutrition said “I have met with hundreds of youth athletes and their families who hit a point in their development, where they find it tough to keep weight on, stay healthy, and to be able to fully maximize their performance. TPH genuinely cares about your kids and is dedicated to building the best team around them to help maximize their growth and development and give them the best resources possible to be successful. Having the opportunity to be a small part of a world class organization like TPH is exciting and I look forward to being able to be a resource for your family in an effort to keep them healthy and help them reach their full potential from a health and wellness perspective”.
Furthermore, TPH Nutrition powered by On Your Mark Nutrition provides committed student-athletes with practical solutions as packages include:
- A consultation, customized plan, monthly check-ins, in-depth review and 24/7 access to your dietitian.
- Personalized snack/meal suggestions, smoothie recipes, supplement advice and weight management.
- A ‘Nutrition 101’ guide; explaining proper hydration techniques, inflammation reduction tips and healthy sleep habits.
Fuel your student-athletes’ nutrition game by purchasing an option that best prepares them for elite academic and athletic success!
From Our Family To Yours: TPH Inks New Apparel Partnership
TPH is thrilled to announce a three-year apparel partnership with 3STEP Sports, a proven leader within youth athletics, to deliver the best in customer experience to student-athletes and their families across all TPH Center of Excellence programs and associations. Under Armour, a respected brand in sports, will be the official apparel brand for each TPH Center of Excellence family and team member to wear within their local communities. Included in this exciting new partnership is SquadLocker, a trendsetter in team apparel customization, to power all TPH spirit stores running 24/7 with a wide range of branded and customized apparel and other branded items.
“We’re incredibly excited to embark on this new partnership with 3STEP Sports and Under Armour” mentioned TPH CEO Alan Keeso. “This is a game changer for TPH, not only to streamline our apparel management, but also to enhance the experience of our student-athletes and their families, our team members, and the broader TPH family in their representation of and interaction with our brand. We’re also excited to be joining 3STEP’s powerful youth sports ecosystem, where we find a great match as we welcome more student-athletes in the years ahead from the core sports that 3STEP services, while also bringing our strength in hockey to that ecosystem.”
From coast-to-coast, each TPH Center of Excellence student-athlete will receive their apparel orders direct to their home for the start of the school year. Throughout the year, families will have 24/7 access to a unique SquadLocker online store that will be customized to fulfill the year-round apparel requirements for every location. Additionally, each online store will be continuously updated with seasonal items for your family and friends to enjoy.
“We are very excited to partner with TPH and take the big step into hockey,” said 3STEP Head of Apparel Sales Brian Cummings. “TPH has been a leader in the space for a long time and with our collective resources and teams together we can reach new heights.”
There is no doubt that your student-athlete will dress sporty in Under Armour-branded apparel when attending a TPH Center of Excellence location. For special pricing, be amongst the first to place your order for the newest TPH Under Armour apparel today!
About TPH
Founded in 2001, it is our vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of elite student-athletes through sport. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, coaches, teachers, advisors and all other entities within both academic and athletic circles. With platforms that include association management, prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy-driven model, TPH services over 10,000 student-athletes on an annual basis, throughout 15 U.S. based divisions.
TPH Minnesota expanding into Blaine
TPH is proud to announce that the Minnesota Center of Excellence – an academy for aspiring elite student-athletes, featuring TPH’s “Study, Train, Play” model – is expanding by adding a second location in Blaine for the 2022-23 school year in partnership with the National Sports Center.
The world’s largest amateur sports facility, the NSC offers eight ice arenas, the largest dome in North America for winter training, and elite facilities for a variety of amateur sports. With its new location in Blaine, pairing the sports facilities of the NSC and a separate multi-purpose facility that will house baseball, softball, fitness, and academic space, TPH will be able to offer its unique blended learning model to athletes of all major sports.
“TPH is incredibly excited to be working with the National Sports Center for our Minnesota student-athletes,” said Alan Keeso, Chief Executive Officer of TPH. “Young athletes in Minnesota will be able to grow athletically, academically and personally thanks to our Center of Excellence model, regardless of which sport they are pursuing.”
Last season, TPH began its Minnesota operations at the Plymouth Ice Center, introducing its blended learning model and sport-specific training to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the first time. Coursework and teacher interaction takes place virtually, paired with TPH’s on-site academic team present to individualize and customize the learning experience based on when, where, and how each student-athlete learns best.
“We are thrilled to be moving into the National Sports Center and Blaine Super Rink for the upcoming school year,” said Matt Cooke, director and head of hockey for TPH Minnesota. “The academy model and lifestyle that TPH creates for our student-athletes allows them to thrive both as athletes and as people, and with the training grounds at the NSC, they will have everything they need to succeed and thrive with their association and high school teams.
“We look forward to welcoming athletes of various sports to our academy to create a unique environment of like-minded athletes bonding socially and academically while continuing to hone their craft in their respective field of play.”
The Minnesota Icemen will be bringing their national championship-producing baseball experience to the newest TPH Minnesota location, as they are partnering to provide new opportunities for their talented baseball players. The Icemen, fresh off winning the 17U PBR National Championship in 2021, are co-opening the new facility with TPH, “In our meetings with TPH, we were impressed with their organization and their mission to offer the very best for student-athletes across the country,” said Ryan Sutterer, director of player personnel/player development and co-owner of the Icemen. “When baseball season starts, the players don’t get much time for individual training – we’re excited to be able to offer a new opportunity to improve their skills year-round while helping them thrive on the ball diamond and in the classroom.”
The Minnesota Advancement Program (MAP) will continue to lead the CoE’s hockey training component, after a successful first year of their partnership. “With our TPH partnership, we provide Minnesota-based hockey players with a proven academic experience to go on top of the hockey training and instruction we provide,” said founder Justin Johnson. “The demand for flexibility and customization in both training and learning is on the rise, and TPH’s CoE model provides just that.”
The National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex that includes a soccer stadium, a golf course, a convention facility, and the famed ‘Super Rink’ of eight sheets of ice.“We see a great opportunity to continue to provide quality physical, mental and social development experiences for the families located in Blaine and surrounding suburbs through this program,” said Darin Thompson, senior director of sport services for the National Sports Center.
Learn more about our new Blaine location by registering for the upcoming National Virtual Open House. See you there!
About TPH
Founded in 2001, Total Package Hockey’s (TPH) purpose is to lead the world in the holistic development of student-athletes, advancing – in and beyond the game – the next generation of impact players. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, teachers, advisors and all other entities within both athletic and academic circles. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, TPH services over 10,000 student-athletes on an annual basis, throughout 16 U.S. based divisions.
Former Professional Player, Coach and Manager, Ryan McGinnis, to Lead TPH-Cincinnati & Tri-State 18U
TPH Center of Excellence is excited to announce the hiring of Ryan McGinnis as Director & Head of Hockey for our newest location in Cincinnati, OH. McGinnis brings a blend of Major Junior and professional playing, as well as professional coaching and management experience to the position.
In addition to his role as Director & Head of Hockey, McGinnis will serve as Head Coach of the Tri-State Spartans 18U team, as the organization begins a new chapter, transitioning its 18U squad to becoming a Cincinnati-based and academy team that will participate in the Center of Excellence experience.
TPH CEO, Alan Keeso, believes that the company’s core purpose, which is to lead the world in the holistic development of student-athletes – advancing in and beyond the game – the next generation of impact players, and McGinnis himself, are a perfect fit.
“Ryan McGinnis checks all the boxes we were looking for in this unique position that combines being a TPH Director with being the Head Coach of a team we have high hopes for,” Keeso said. “Ryan has experienced all levels of hockey, whether that be as a Major Junior and professional player, or as a coach, mentoring young athletes, right up through to adult professionals. The knowledge he has gained from various vantage points in the game will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes in Cincinnati, as well as those who play for the Spartans. Starting today, Ryan will inject detail, structure and methodology into both the Spartans program and our Cincinnati division. We are confident future TPH-Cincinnati student-athletes, Spartans players and their families will gravitate towards Ryan McGinnis the hockey man, and Ryan McGinnis the person.”
Like all Directors, McGinnis’ role with TPH will require the wearing of multiple hats, something the Flint, MI native is quite familiar with. For the past five years, he has served as an Assistant Coach in the ECHL, first with the Indy Fuel, from 2017-2019, and then with the Norfolk Admirals from 2019-2022. Prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season, McGinnis was promoted to the role of General Manager, overseeing all aspects of Admirals hockey operations, while staying connected to the ice and bench as an Assistant Coach. Before entering the pro game as a coach and manager, the 35-year-old spent two seasons supporting the development of youth players, coaching Tier I ‘AAA’ hockey for the Florida Alliance and Phoenix Jr. Coyotes. Furthermore, Ryan has run his own hockey training business, McGinnis Hockey Development, and has coached at the USA Hockey Select Festival held annually in Buffalo, NY.
Before embarking on his coaching journey, McGinnis spent five successful seasons as a player in the Ontario Hockey League, suiting up for the Plymouth Whalers and Oshawa Generals. An additional five playing seasons followed for McGinnis, at both the AHL and ECHL levels. In ten combined Major Junior and professional playing seasons, McGinnis was part of two championship teams, in the OHL with the Whalers, and in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, served as an alternate captain in Oshawa and was selected in the sixth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.
Much like CEO Alan Keeso, Tri-State Spartans Co-Directors Judi Kremer and Chris Lipsett, who also serves as an Assistant Coach with the 18U Spartans, feel McGinnis brings both “vision” and “range” to TPH, and that all student-athletes under his tutelage will gravitate towards that.
“Ryan has vast experience and a great bank of knowledge that our kids will be able to pull from,” Lipsett said. “He has a vision for TPH-Cincinnati and the Spartans, and is a careful planner who will make our student-athletes and Spartans players feel like they are in their own version of the NHL each day. I look forward to working directly with Ryan to build TPH-Cincinnati and the Spartans program into a top destination for student-athletes who want to reach their potential in all areas.”
“We look forward to working directly with Ryan to build TPH-Cincinnati and the Spartans program into a top destination for student-athletes who want to reach their potential in all areas,” stated Kremer.
Ryan, his wife Jill, and their three children will be relocating to the Cincinnati area later this Spring and is looking forward to channeling his experiences and passion for “holistic development” in a direction that positively impacts TPH-Cincinnati and the Spartans.
“I’d like to thank TPH for believing in my abilities to make TPH-Cincinnati a success,” McGinnis said. “Sharing very similar values about leadership has made this role appealing to me. Our goal is to ensure the CoE is a place where our student-athletes are given clear direction to learn, execute and have fun. As also the Head Coach of the 18U Spartans, I feel being together as a team each day will allow me the opportunity to have the biggest impact on their development, both on and off the ice.”
Prospective TPH-Cincinnati and Tri-State Spartans families are invited to join Ryan McGinnis, TPH Center of Excellence COO, Francis Anzalone, and Spartans leadership for a free on-site open house event on Monday, April 25th at 7pm EDT.
This unique opportunity will take place in the future Center of Excellence academic wing inside Sports Plus. Take the next step and reserve your seat today.
Unable to attend? Stay updated on the progress of TPH-Cincinnati as we are thrilled to share this journey with you!
Making It Official
Two TPH Alumni pursue their goals of becoming NHL referees
Many hockey players desire to stay involved with the game once their playing days are over; some choose to join the coaching staff, others head towards the front office, some even chase their entrepreneurial dreams. Despite stepping away from competition, TPH alumni Austin O’Rourke and Jake Kamrass each decided that they weren’t ready to hang up their skates. Instead, the two forwards chose to wear the stripes and pursue careers as full-time referees.
Jake Kamrass was raised in Atlanta, Georgia – which begs the question – ‘how in the world did this guy learn to play hockey?’
“The truth is, my passion for hockey started when I was about 2 years old,” said Jake. “Having older brothers play travel hockey fueled my love for the sport.” It wasn’t long before Jake found himself on the ice, playing for the TPH Thunder. Once he reached high school, Jake decided to make the jump to the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
During his second season with the NAHL’s Topeka Roadrunners, he became one of the team’s leading scorers and was selected to the NAHL All-Star Showcase. His time playing junior hockey catapulted his career, allowing him to secure a scholarship to play Division I hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. After three Hockey East Finals and three NCAA Tournament appearances, Jake graduated Magna Cum Laude from UMass Lowell. Kamrass then played professionally in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and American Hockey League (AHL).
As he began to transition away from playing professionally, he reached out to veteran NHL referee and acquaintance, Dan O’Rourke, to express his interest in pursuing a career as an on-ice official. In 2019, Jake began officiating regional AAA hockey games as well as USHL games. In March of 2021, the American Hockey League offered him a job as a referee. Just a few months later, Jake went on to attend the 2021 NHL Referee Exposure Combine, where he solidified his desire to make a career out of officiating. Jake has refereed the entire 2021-2022 AHL season and aspires to become a future NHL referee.
Just three years younger is Austin O’Rourke, who is on a similar career trajectory as a referee.
“I played for TPH – Atlanta until I was 16,” said Austin. “It was great because we had a competitive team coming out of the south which really gave us some opportunities.” Following his time with TPH Center of Excellence – Atlanta, Austin went on to play Junior A hockey before accepting a scholarship to play at UMass Lowell. Upon graduating, Austin immediately traded his River Hawk’s threads for a sweater with black and white stripes.
“I attended the NHL Referee Combine this past summer, and I was lucky enough to have Keith Kaval with USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program talk to me and help me jump-start my career. It was the perfect way for me to stay in the game and be on the ice after playing.” Austin added that a career as a referee was always in the back of his mind after watching his father, Dan O’Rourke, referee NHL games, including the Stanley Cup Finals. Similar to Jake, Austin has his sights set on climbing the ranks to one day becoming a full-time NHL official.
Whether your student-athlete is aspiring to be elite as a professional hockey player, referee or business leader, TPH Center of Excellence expands the amount of opportunities for a bright future. Take the next step by reserving your seat for the upcoming National Virtual Open House!
Former NCAA Hockey Captain and Standout Shawn Pauly to Lead Chicago Center of Excellence
TPH is pleased to announce the hiring of Shawn Pauly to the position of Director and Head of Hockey for its Chicago division. Pauly joins TPH-Chicago after three seasons as the Assistant Men’s Hockey Coach at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, where he supported Head Coach, Peter Belisle, in virtually every aspect of running the Beacons’ hockey program. TPH Center of Excellence CEO, Alan Keeso, believes Pauly, the Director role and its Chicago location are a perfect fit.
“On behalf of all of us at TPH, we are thrilled to welcome Shawn to the team,” Keeso said. “Shawn oozes with leadership, intelligence and passion that our student-athletes will gravitate towards. He has worn virtually every hat in his young career that a successful TPH Director has to wear to be successful at executing our company purpose, which is to advance, in and beyond the game, the next generation of impact players. Everyone we spoke to about Shawn, from former teammates to former coaches, made it clear that he himself is an impact player. He will set a tremendous example for our staff and student-athletes to follow.”
“Oozing with leadership” likely references Pauly’s ability to, throughout his career, use hockey as a vehicle to grow himself as both a student and a person. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Pauly helped the Huskies transition from the Atlantic Hockey conference to the always-competitive Hockey East conference in 2012. He spent four seasons at UConn, tallying 20 points or more every season. What’s more impressive is that Pauly earned Dean’s list honors in three of his four seasons, and capped off his college hockey journey, serving as a captain his senior year.
A 2016 graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Pauly went on to enjoy a three year professional playing career, skating with the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks from 2015-2017, before making the jump overseas to play with the Coventry Blaze of the EIHL for the 2018-2019 campaign. Impressively, while a member of the Blaze, the Bellingham, WA native completed his MBA at Coventry University, setting a perfect example for TPH student-athletes who are striving each and every day to achieve their academic and athletic goals at the same time.
Pauly says he wants to take his passion for culture and mentorship, his most recent experiences in coaching, player development and hockey administration at the collegiate level, and mesh it with his desire to make TPH-Chicago a positive, structured environment for student-athletes to grow in.
“I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to be the Director and Head of Hockey for TPH-Chicago,” Pauly said. “The partnership between TPH and the Windy City Storm, the caliber of hockey instructors involved, the commitment and care of the on-site academic team and the possibilities that exist within the current academic space are truly impressive. But what makes this a special opportunity for me is knowing what the Center of Excellence can do to create a holistic experience for both hockey players as well as all student-athletes, regardless of their age, their skill level or their future aspirations. I want the CoE to be a destination for student-athletes across Chicago, as long as they are willing to buy into a culture built on the bedrocks of hard work, discipline and acceptance. I can’t wait to dig in and put words into action.”
Pauly’s goal is to be on-site before the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year. In the meantime, prospective TPH-Chicago families who would like to learn more about TPH’s Study – Train – Play Center of Excellence model can request more information or arrange a time to chat with Shawn by clicking here.
About TPH
Founded in 2001, TPH seeks to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through sport. TPH platforms include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics, and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, serving over 10,000 student-athletes annually throughout 16 U.S.-based divisions. TPH prides itself on taking a holistic approach, one that emphasizes the development of the individual in four ways: (1) as a player within a team setting, (2) as an athlete, dedicated to reaching their physical potential, (3) as a student, working to achieve their academic goals, and most importantly, (4) as a person, striving to win the ultimate game, and that’s the game of life.
Bringing the Game to its Roots
TPH Center of Excellence Hosts 1st Annual Colorado Winter Classic
Over 70 student-athletes from TPH Center of Excellence Denver and Superior took to the pond this past January to compete in the first annual TPH Colorado Winter Classic. The tournament was a joint venture between the two Center of Excellence locations and was developed to allow TPH student-athletes to experience the game of hockey how it was meant to be played: outside.
With fun in mind, the TPH Winter Classic allowed the student-athletes to take what they have already learned and apply it to a free flowing version of the game. Memories were forged that will last a lifetime as the student-athletes skated around the frozen surface of Lake Evergreen. As Lester Patrick stated in 1950, “The foundation of hockey isn’t really hockey at all. It’s shinny, a wild melee of kids batting a puck around, with no rules, no organization.”
But this was no ordinary game of shinny. There was no blindfolded stick shuffling, no harsh ice conditions, and no rushing to get home before the streetlights came on. This was a flawlessly executed round-robin style tournament that took place on 15 of the most well manicured mini rinks that Colorado had to offer.
In order to get the full pond hockey experience, student-athletes were challenged to play with teammates they had never met before. Teams were based on age, and each roster featured a mix of student-athletes from both Denver and Superior. Over the course of the day, family members and Center of Excellence staff cheered as a handful of NCAA Division 1 commits came to play with each team competing in 6 games.
The priority of the TPH Colorado Winter Classic was focused on having fun and providing a unique experience for everyone in attendance. “This was an excellent opportunity to bring the TPH family and the Colorado hockey families together,” mentioned Jordan Pietrus, Executive Director of TPH Colorado. “This was all about having some unstructured fun, getting exercise, and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. We’re thrilled to have been able to bring the game back to its roots and host this amazing tournament for our student-athletes.”
Take the next step and register for the upcoming National Virtual Open House; discovering new levels of potential for your student-athlete at a Center of Excellence near you!