News
Josh Blackburn hired as new goaltending coach at Detroit CoE
Total Package Hockey is proud to welcome Josh Blackburn to our coaching family.
Blackburn is joining the TPH Center of Excellence staff in Detroit as the program’s new goaltending coach.
Blackburn brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the TPH Detroit team. The native of Choctaw, Okla., spent four seasons as the starting goaltender for the University of Michigan before playing professionally for three seasons. From there, he worked as the goaltending coach of his alma mater for eight seasons.
“We are very excited to have Josh Blackburn join our TPH Detroit Center of Excellence staff,” said Dwayne Norris, director of hockey for TPH CoE Detroit. “He is very knowledgeable in his craft, from both playing and coaching at some of the highest levels of hockey. Josh is going to be a great asset to our staff, and he’s already establishing a close connection with our young goaltenders at the CoE.”
Blackburn played three seasons in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Lincoln Stars before joining the college ranks. He was named the USHL’s goaltender of the year in 1998.
At Michigan, he backstopped the Wolverines to consecutive Frozen Four appearances in 2001 and 2002. Blackburn helped Michigan win two CCHA regular-season titles and two CCHA playoff titles, and he was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team in 1999.
He finished with 92 wins, a 2.29 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage over four seasons under Red Berenson.
After graduating, he spent the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons in the ECHL with the Augusta Lynx and the Columbus Inferno. In 2004-05, he suited up for the CHL’s Corpus Christi Rayz.
Blackburn returned to Ann Arbor following his playing career to serve as Michigan’s volunteer goaltending coach while operating his own goaltending school in southeast Michigan.
ABOUT TPH: Founded in 2001, Total Package Hockey is a hockey service provider with the vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of players, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world, one choice at a time. Our staff is committed to providing positive, energetic, hands-on instruction and mentorship, in an effort to develop each individual on and off the ice. If each individual develops as a player, athlete and person, he or she will be better prepared to advance to the highest levels of junior, collegiate and professional hockey, while learning the skills necessary for success in the ultimate game: the game of life.
For more information about TPH, click here
For more information about the TPH Center of Excellence, click here
Nic Dowd looks to nail down one of few available spots on the Caps’ opening night roster, the fourth-line center slot
In the wake of winning the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history late last spring, the Caps didn’t suffer much in the way of offseason attrition, at least not in terms of sheer numbers. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer was traded to Colorado after three excellent seasons as a backup in D.C., and center Jay Beagle signed a four-year deal with Vancouver as an unrestricted free agent after a decade of yeoman’s work in Washington. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE
Dan Riedel joins TPH Detroit coaching staff
Total Package Hockey is proud to announce that Dan Riedel has joined the TPH Detroit staff as a player development coach and mentor at the Center of Excellence.
Riedel has playing experience at the NAHL, USHL, NCAA, ECHL, IHL and CHL level. A Rochester Hills native, Riedel played for Ferris State University for two seasons following his NAHL/USHL junior career. He was named First Team All-CCHA in 2005-06.
Following his time in Big Rapids, he played professionally for five seasons before returning to his home state. Since, Riedel has worked as a scout for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and as head coach of the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U team.
With OJG, he has found considerable coaching success – multiple National Championship tournament appearances, 29 players being selected in the USHL Draft, nine in the OHL Draft, and 18 players making Division 1 college commitments. Three have made USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program – Drew DeRidder, Josh Norris and Joey Cassetti – and two have been drafted by NHL organizations – Norris and Brandon Halverson.
“We are very excited to have Dan Riedel join our staff at the Center of Excellence in Detroit,” said Dwayne Norris, director of hockey for the Bloomfield-based school. “I have had the privilege of working with Dan in a youth hockey capacity, and seeing how he treats and helps his players, we know he will be a valuable asset for our student-athletes.”
ABOUT TPH: Founded in 2001, Total Package Hockey is a hockey service provider with the vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of players, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world, one choice at a time. Our staff is committed to providing positive, energetic, hands-on instruction and mentorship, in an effort to develop each individual on and off the ice. If each individual develops as a player, athlete and person, he or she will be better prepared to advance to the highest levels of junior, collegiate and professional hockey, while learning the skills necessary for success in the ultimate game: the game of life.
For more information about TPH, click here
For more information about the TPH Center of Excellence, click here
13 #TPHTrained players on NHL Central Scouting’s first 2019 Draft list
Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate the 13 #TPHTrained players who have been recognized by NHL Central Scouting on the organization’s first ‘players to watch’ list for the upcoming 2019 NHL.
Five of the players are alumni of the TPH Center of Excellence, while eight others took part in the summer Eight Week Progressional Program or competed for teams organized by TPH – either at the OHL Cup or the World Selects Invitational.
“We are incredibly proud of all these players,” said TPH CEO Nathan Bowen. “Being included on the Central Scouting’s first list of the season in your draft year is a great honor – a great first step. Obviously they will all need to continue working hard and training hard, and we’re confident that they will as they continue to chase their hockey dreams.”
Congrats to the following players:
Arthur Kaliyev – Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL – CoE
Andrew Perrott (pictured) – London Knights – OHL – CoE, Eight Week Program
Caleb Everett – Saginaw Spirit – OHL – CoE, Eight Week Program
Mack Guzda – Owen Sound Attack – OHL – CoE
Hunter Skinner – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL – CoE, Eight Week Program
John Beecher – NTDP Under-18 Team – USHL – OHL Cup
Cameron Rowe – NTDP Under-18 Team – USHL – OHL Cup
Nicholas Robertson – Peterborough Petes – OHL – World Select Invite
Tag Bertuzzi – Guelph Storm – OHL – OHL Cup
Grayson Ladd – Windsor Spitfires – OHL – World Select Invite
Nicklas Andrews – Odessa Jackalopes – NAHL – Eight Week Program
Declan Carlile – Lincoln Stars – USHL – Eight Week Program
Egor Afanasyev – Muskegon Lumberjacks – USHL – OHL Cup
ABOUT TPH: Founded in 2001, Total Package Hockey is a hockey service provider with the vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of players, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world, one choice at a time. Our staff is committed to providing positive, energetic, hands-on instruction and mentorship, in an effort to develop each individual on and off the ice. If each individual develops as a player, athlete and person, he or she will be better prepared to advance to the highest levels of junior, collegiate and professional hockey, while learning the skills necessary for success in the ultimate game: the game of life.
Dalton Norris to play with NTDP; Thomas Stift also practicing in Plymouth
Total Package Hockey is proud to announce that Center of Excellence student-athlete Dalton Norris has been invited to practice with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, and will skate with the Under-18 Team in their game against the Muskegon Lumberjacks Thursday.
Norris, the younger brother of NTDP alum Josh Norris, is currently a defenseman with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 18U team. He is the son of Dwayne Norris, TPH Detroit’s director of hockey.
“The TPH team is super excited for Dalton, one of our new student-athletes at the TPH CoE in Bloomfield, Mich.,” said TPH CEO Nathan Bowen. “He’s been working incredibly hard both on and off the ice, and he’s getting a nice reward for it.”
Dalton Norris is working towards becoming the third sibling to play college hockey; Josh is a sophomore forward with the Michigan Wolverines, and Coale is also a sophomore forward with the Ferris State Bulldogs.
He’s not the only CoE student-athlete earning opportunities with the NTDP; Thomas Stift has been practicing with Team USA in Plymouth, as well.
Stift, a native of Chino Hills, Calif., has moved to Michigan to join the CoE and play for Belle Tire 16U.
He has skated with the NTDP numerous times over the last few weeks.
Stay tuned for more…
ABOUT TPH: Founded in 2001, Total Package Hockey is a hockey service provider with the vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of players, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world, one choice at a time. Our staff is committed to providing positive, energetic, hands-on instruction and mentorship, in an effort to develop each individual on and off the ice. If each individual develops as a player, athlete and person, he or she will be better prepared to advance to the highest levels of junior, collegiate and professional hockey, while learning the skills necessary for success in the ultimate game: the game of life.
For more information about TPH, click here
For more information about the TPH Center of Excellence, click here
Thunder Alum Zack Conner Tenders With The Austin Bruins in NAHL
Total Package Hockey’s #TPHTrained numbers at pro, college and juniors continue to grow
- NHL – 40
- NCAA – 151
- USHL – 163
- NAHL – 104
- OHL – 92
- NTDP/Team USA (international) – 11
ABOUT TPH: Founded in 2001, Total Package Hockey is a hockey service provider with the vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of players, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world, one choice at a time. Our staff is committed to providing positive, energetic, hands-on instruction and mentorship, in an effort to develop each individual on and off the ice. If each individual develops as a player, athlete and person, he or she will be better prepared to advance to the highest levels of junior, collegiate and professional hockey, while learning the skills necessary for success in the ultimate game: the game of life.
For more information about TPH, click here
For more information about the TPH Center of Excellence, click here
Bode Wilde first TPH Center of Excellence alum to sign NHL contract
Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate Bode Wilde on signing his entry-level contract with the New York Islanders.
In doing so, Wilde becomes the first TPH Center of Excellence alum to sign with an NHL franchise.
A Birmingham, Mich., native, Wilde was a second-round pick of the Islanders in the 2018 NHL Draft after concluding his two seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pound defenseman is in the midst of his first season with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit; Wilde has 22 points in his first 21 games.
Twenty-three Thunder AAA alums currently on NCAA D1 rosters
Total Package Hockey is proud to acknowledge and congratulate the Thunder AAA organization for its latest achievement in advancing players to higher levels of hockey.
Twenty-three Thunder alums are currently on NCAA Division 1 rosters.
“Having 23 Thunder alums currently on DI NCAA rosters is a testament of all the hard work that players, families, and coaches have poured into Thunder Hockey over past 15 years,” said Keith Rowe, the Thunder AAA director of hockey. “It’s exciting to look toward the future knowing these student-athletes have paved the way for current and future Thunder players.”
A look at the boys representing Thunder Hockey at the D1 level:
In addition to the updated NCAA roster count, check out these other Thunder advancement numbers:
- 2 NHL Draft Picks
- 45 NCAA DI Commits
- 54 NCAA DIII Commits
- 19 OHL Draft Picks
- 39 USHL Drafts, 2 Tenders
- 16 NAHL Drafts, 61 Tenders
For more on Thunder Hockey, visit the organization’s official website.
Three #TPHTrained players invited to USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
Total Package Hockey is proud to congratulate the three #TPHTrained players who have been invited to the 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Congrats to the following players:
Hunter Skinner – Muskegon Lumberjacks – Detroit Center of Excellence, 8 Week Program, OHL Cup
Logan Stein – Waterloo Black Hawks – TPH Thunder alum
Egor Afanasyev – Muskegon Lumberjacks – OHL Cup
The USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event that showcases top USHL players eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft. The rosters are selected by both USHL and NHL Central Scouting representatives.
The 2019 edition of the showcase event takes place on Jan. 8, 2019 in Lincoln, Neb.
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.