26 #TPHTrained Players Invited to 2018 NHL Team Development Camps

The Total Package Hockey staff is proud to congratulate the 26 #TPHTrained players who have received invitations to 2018 NHL team development camps this summer.

“Whether they were drafted by their respective organizations or they received free-agent invitations, these are prestigious opportunities for these players, and well-earned honors,” said TPH CEO Nathan Bowen. “With these camp invites, they get to compete against some of the best players in the world while receiving elite training and education.  This is why our entire team does what we do – to see young men take another step toward achieving the ultimate dream of playing in the National Hockey League.

“This is also an awesome milestone to reach for all of TPH team members, all of the countless hours our coaches commit and to TPH director of player development Brandon Naurato, who has us on the cutting edge of skill development. He sees the game unlike anyone I have spent time with and spends time everyday researching, trying out and implementing new concepts that all TPH student-athletes can take advantage of.”

The TPH curriculum has been built for dedicated student-athletes who love to compete every day. Naurato, who leads TPH in player development, was invited to assist with the Detroit Red Wings’ development camp, giving him first-hand knowledge of the experience these players are receiving.

“It doesn’t get much better than this for summer training and summer hockey,” Naurato said. “Players are competing for opportunities and spots with organizations, which means it’s top-notch competition for these guys. At the same time, everybody is here to learn and improve and connect; it makes for a unique and fun stretch of time for the players and the staffs at each of these development camps. We’re incredibly proud of the TPH-trained guys who are attending these camps, and we know they’re setting themselves up for even more success.”

 

The #TPHTrained players at NHL camps:

 

Drew Hunter – Toronto Maple Leafs – Eight Week Progression Program

Marcus Crawford – Detroit Red Wings – Eight Week Progression Program

Sam Miletic – Pittsburgh Penguins – Eight Week Progression Program

Griffin Luce – Buffalo Sabres – Eight Week Progression Program

Tony Calderone – Dallas Stars – Eight Week Progression Program

Luke Morgan – Detroit Red Wings – Eight Week Progression Program

Jake Slaker – Las Vegas Golden Knights- Eight Week Progression Program

Nick Boka – Minnesota Wild – Eight Week Progression Program

Brenden Warren – Philadelphia Flyers – Eight Week Progression Program

Colin Larkin – Edmonton Oilers – Eight Week Progression Program

Ben Schultheis – Anaheim Ducks – Thunder AAA alum and Eight Week Progression Program

Will MacKinnon – Pittsburgh Penguins – TPH CoE

Mitchell Fossier – Boston Bruins – Thunder AAA alum, Eight Week Progression Program

Zach Solow – Florida Panthers – Thunder AAA alum

Cooper Marody – Edmonton Oilers – Eight Week Progression Program

Mitch Eliot – Carolina Hurricanes – Thunder AAA alum, Eight Week Progression Program

Eamon McAdam – New York Islanders – OHL Cup

Luke Martin – Carolina Hurricanes – Eight Week Progression Program

Cole Krygier – Florida Panthers – TPH CoE, Eight Week Progression Program

Christian Krygier – New York Islanders – Eight Week Progression Program

Jonathan Gruden – Ottawa Senators – Eight Week Progression Program

Paul Cotter – Las Vegas Golden Knights – Eight Week Progression Program

Cooper Zech – Washington Capitals – Eight Week Progression Program

Jack Studnicka – Boston Bruins – Eight Week Progression Program, OHL Cup

Blade Jenkins – New York Islanders – TPH CoE, Eight Week Progression Program

Bode Wilde – New York Islanders – TPH CoE

Alec Regula – Detroit Red Wings – OHL Cup, Michigan Hockey Advancement

Renars Krastenbergs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Thunder AAA alum

 

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.

Norris a familiar name included in Karlsson trade

Robin Short (robin.short@thetelegram.com)

Josh Norris, shown here play for the United States at the World Junior Hockey Championship last January in Buffalo, is the son of St. John’s native and former NHLer Dwayne Norris. – Associated Press

Josh Norris, one of the young prospects sent to the Ottawa Senators in the Erik Karlsson trade Thursday, is the son of St. John’s native and former hockey star Dwayne Norris.

The younger Norris was born in Michigan, where the family now resides. The 19-year-old was the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He had 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 37 games as a University of Michigan freshman last season.

Norris was also a member of the U.S. team which won the bronze medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship last January in Buffalo.

Ottawa received forwards Chris Tierney and Rudolfs Balcers, along with defenceman Dylan DeMelo from the San Jose Sharks, in addition to the rights to the unsigned Norris, a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft or 2020 NHL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2019 draft, and two conditional draft picks.

Forward Francis Perron was also acquired by the Sharks.

Dwayne Norris played 20 games in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. But he’s best known for being part of the Canada’s silver-medal team at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, and for scoring the winning goal in the final game as Canada won the 1990 world junior hockey championship in Helsinki, Finland.

Following his North American pro career, Dwayne Norris spent 11 seasons in the German DEL.

He’s still involved with hockey, coaching and serving on the board of directors with the Oakland Grizzlies minor organization which plays out of Troy, Mich. He recently took over as director of hockey operations for Total Package Hockey in Detroit.

Norris has two other hockey-playing sons. Coale played his freshman season at Ferris State University last year, while Dalton is preparing to play for the Grizzlies’ U18 team.

http://www.thetelegram.com/sports/hockey/norris-a-familiar-name-included-in-karlsson-trade-241454/

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.

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.

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.

Detroit CoE alum Jake Veri talks about attending Blue Jackets’ development camp

Jake Veri will be the answer to a TPH Center of Excellence trivia question in the coming years.

He is the first student-athlete to receive an invitation to a NHL team development camp right out of the CoE.

The long-time Detroit CoE member was invited to the Columbus Blue Jackets development camp last week, and upon his return, he said it was a remarkable experience.

“When I got there, it was kind of surreal,” said Veri, a Northville, Mich., native. “Being one of the younger guys at the camp, and all of the older guys there, guys you look up to, they were all great guys. They helped me along, and they teach you how much the details mean and all the little things and just what it takes. Every day, you have to be putting work in, or somebody’s going to pass you. It really was a reality check in the fact that you think you’re doing enough, and then you go there and you see what these NHL guys who are already in the league and what they do every day just to stay in the league – the skills and the skating was phenomenal and it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Veri, who has signed with the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs for the upcoming 2019-2020 season, was a free-agent invite to the camp. Putting on a Blue Jackets jersey and the corresponding red and blue gear was a dream come true, despite one small hang-up for the 5-foot-7 forward.

“There really aren’t words for it. Granted, I’m a little bit of a smaller guy, so the gloves and the pants felt a little big, felt like I was wearing my dad’s gear, but it was an amazing feeling. Nothing like it. It makes you more driven to get there, because you see what it’s like and you’re one step closer to every hockey player’s dream when you put that stuff on.”

The five-year CoE alum learned of his camp invite from a phone call with the Blue Jackets’ player development staff; when he told his family, they were ecstatic.

“Obviously they were extremely happy because they’ve seen the work I put in these last five years, going to TPH and how many times growing up I’ve been passed up on because of my size and everything. Just seeing that I have to keep going – it hasn’t fully paid off, it’s a stepping stone and a pat on the back for what I do every day.”

As far as being the first CoE student-athlete to be invited to a camp right out of school, Veri said he’s just honored to be mentioned alongside some of his former classmates.

“It’s amazing. The guys who have went to the CoE, we’ve had draft picks come out of there and they produce just unbelievable players every year. It’s an amazing feeling – Blade Jenkins, Bode Wilde, Will MacKinnon, they have just produced hockey player after hockey player, and it’s just nice to be a part of that group.”

Veri said he’s very excited to seize his opportunity with Chilliwack in the fall.

“Signing Day was insane, like everything else lately. It’s nice to go somewhere where you’re wanted, somewhere where they understand your style of play. They have an amazing coaching staff, coaches who really care about your development and really care about you as a person. I’m really excited to get out there, it’s a beautiful place to be on top of an awesome place to play. It really is amazing.”

And he said he is incredibly grateful for the help from the TPH staff in Detroit throughout his hockey journey.

“Everything I’ve done, on ice, off ice, mental, physical, they were always there. Anything I needed, and if you put in the time, they’ll be there until your last day on the ice. They truly help you in every way and they’ve helped me in ways I can’t even explain, because just being there at the school, you see their dedication and how much they really want to make hockey players, and not just hockey players but good people. At the end of the day, a huge chunk of anything I’ve ever done in my hockey life is because of them.”

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.