Posts Tagged ‘NHL’
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.
Andrew Sinard at Nashville Predators Summer Development Camp
Before moving on to the USHL in the fall, Andrew Sinard got a taste of what the next level is like at the Nashville Predators summer development camp from June 28 to July 2.
The former TPH Thunder 18U standout earned an invite to the camp after a strong AAA season that saw him notch 12 points in 30 games as a defenseman.
“It was awesome,” the Brentwood, Tenn., native said. “I think I got a lot better just by being surrounded by all that talent and the people who work in the Predators organization.”
Overseeing Nashville’s camp was Director of Player Development Scott Nichol, who led the players through a variety of events including testing, video sessions and nutrition education. Sinard said it was a great opportunity to get an inside look at an NHL organization.
“Being out there with a lot of extremely high skilled guys, I think it helped me get familiar with that level of hockey,” Sinard said. “I learned what it takes to get there and what I need to work on over the next couple of years as I develop.”
Sinard credits his TPH coaches, most notably Ron Gay, for helping him develop as a defenseman over the past couple of seasons.
“They definitely taught me to work hard and realize that it doesn’t matter what path you come from, you can still make it if you want it enough,” the 6-foot-6 defenseman said. “Ron Gay helped me realize that and helped me go from a AAA player to playing in the USHL next year.”
Gay said he’s not surprised at how far Sinard has come despite beginning his hockey career at a relatively late age.
“He’s listened to everything we’ve said and he’s been like a sponge, taking everything in,” said Gay, who works with numerous professional, college and junior hockey players throughout the country. “He’s a great athlete to begin with and with all the training we’ve done with his footwork and weight lifting – along with that size and coordination – there’s only an upside with him.”
Fresh off of the Predators development camp and a great final year in AAA, Sinard will be playing for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this coming season, the same team that drafted him in the league’s 2016 entry draft.
He’s committed to Miami University and wants current and future TPH players to know that it’s possible to have a successful hockey career no matter where they are from.
“I’d tell them if you work harder than everyone else, you’re going to get better than everyone else,” Sinard said. “To really excel and get to the next level, it’s not easy, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
Josh Wilkins at Carolina Hurricanes Development Camp
Growing up in Raleigh, N.C., Josh Wilkins often had to travel to play hockey.
This year was a little different. The former TPH Thunder U16 captain didn’t have to go very far to participate in last week’s Carolina Hurricanes development camp.
It was a rare opportunity for the skilled forward to play in front of his mom, dad and other family members.
“I got to pay in front of them for the first time in a couple of years, so it was a cool opportunity and experience,” the 19-year-old said. “Especially to be in my hometown, it was great to get invited.”
The four-day camp was a chance for Wilkins to learn more about what it takes to make it at the next level.
“The Hurricanes teach you how to be a pro everyday,” Wilkins said. “They taught a lot about nutrition, how to handle things mentally and how to act like a good hockey player.”
Before jumping into the NAHL and USHL, Wilkins starred on the TPH Thunder and the TPH Thunder Midget Minor OHL Cup team. Wilkins scored 21 goals and added 15 assists in 34 games with the Thunder in 2013-14 and played exceptionally well at the 2012-13 OHL Cup, notching seven points in six games.
“When Josh came to TPH, he was physically mature, had an outstanding skill set and to his credit was open to learning more,” TPH President and Managing Partner Nathan Bowen said. “He bought into our culture and understood that academic performance would lead to athletic opportunities down the road. We’re so happy and proud of him for taking the next step and attending Providence when he’s ready. He’s an exceptional young man who loves the game and competes every day on and off the ice.”
He also featured prominently on the USA team that took home the bronze medal at the 2015-16 World Junior A Challenge, tallying four points in five games.
“TPH really helped me get exposure,” Wilkins said. “I got drafted to the USHL from the Thunder and I learned a lot from my coaches there. Nathan Bowen puts together a lot of good teams with the Thunder.”
Wilkins said his development as a player really took off playing for the TPH team.
“They get you in the gym and gave us a lot of good hockey workouts,” the 2014 draft pick of the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers said. “When we practiced, we practiced hard. I really got a lot of individual work in.
“They also made sure I was taken care of in school and helped make sure my teachers and counselors knew what I was doing and what my situation was.”
As Wilkins’ career takes off – he’ll either play at Providence or back at Sioux City this coming season – he fondly remembers his time playing with TPH.
“There have been a lot of guys who have come out of TPH before me and I think each group looks up to the next group,” he said. “That shows the character of TPH.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
Jay Williams at Washington Capitals Development Camp
As a kid, the Washington Capitals got Jay Williams interested in hockey.
Years later, the former TPH Thunder player got to wear his favorite team’s jersey as an invitee at the Capitals’ development camp two weeks ago.
“It was such an awesome experience,” Williams said. “Being able to go to the camp for the team I grew up cheering for at the rink I grew up playing at was unbelievable.”
The rink – Kettler Capitals Iceplex – is located only 15 minutes from Williams’ home town of McLean, Va., creating for a memorable week with the Caps.
At the camp, the goaltender learned what it takes to make it as a pro hockey player and went through various on-ice and off-ice events.
“Being on the ice with all these talented and bright young players and to have the opportunity to work with the Caps’ coaching staff was pretty special,” Williams said. “It was such a cool opportunity.”
Williams is coming off of an outstanding career at Miami University, where he played in 87 games and posted a goals against average of 2.37 and save percentage of .909. He finished his career with a 46-29-4 record and established himself as one of the top goalies in the entire country.
Prior to Miami, Williams tallied great numbers in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks and Sioux Falls Stampede and was an integral part of the TPH Thunder 16U and TPH OHL Cup teams.
“TPH was so helpful for me with preparation and leaning how to take care of your body,” Williams said. “They helped me great ready to perform consistently at a high level. The coaches at TPH know what it takes to get to the next level.”
Nathan Bowen, TPH president and managing partner and Williams’ former coach, said the Thunder were fortunate to have him.
“It was obvious to us that he would play at a high level in junior hockey, Division I college hockey and professionally,” Bowen said. “He had the athletic ability to play at those levels, but what separated him from his peers was his level of compete and mental maturity as a young goaltender. He lives a hockey lifestyle, is committed to training and improving and was mature beyond his years.”
Williams, who was named to the 2016 NCHC All-Academic team with a 3.38 GPA, said playing with TPH helped him reach the goals he set growing up.
“Learning from my TPH coaches and playing in the tournaments we played in gave me every opportunity to perform well,” he said. “Playing for TPH, you’re going to get seen and get opportunities to move on and climb the ladder.”
Currently an NHL free agent, Williams is evaluating his options and hopes to sign a professional contract this summer. The 6-foot-2 goalie said he’s honored to be considered a role model for younger TPH players who are hoping to advance their hockey careers.
“I remember when I was younger and the kids you looked up to made it and had the opportunity to move on and play in college or professionally,” he said. “That was your inspiration and your motivation to continue to work hard. It’s excited to be in the position to have kids look up to you and have them know that the opportunity is there for them as well if they work hard.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, offering youth and adult programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH provides programs, which are staffed by highly qualified elite hockey coaches and professionals, to more than 4,000 players each year. With programs in 18 total U.S. cities, including teams in the NA3HL and T1EHL, TPH specializes in skill-based player development and has a track record of moving players to junior, college and professional hockey.
TPH Trained star Alex Debrincat signs with Chicago Blackhawks
Congrats to TPH trained star forward Alex Debrincat, who signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 7.
The 18-year-old has skated with TPH Detroit’s 8-week program and has posted back-to-back 50-goal seasons with the OHL’s Erie Otters. The Farmington Hills native was drafted in the second round (39th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Debrincat was also a member of the 2016 U.S. World Junior Hockey Championships squad, where he won a bronze medal. Congrats to Alex!
From the Chicago Blackhawks:
“The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have agreed to terms with forward Alex DeBrincat (duh-BREEN-kut) on a three-year contract. He was drafted by the Blackhawks in the second round (39th overall) of the 2016 National Hockey League Draft.
DeBrincat, 18, leads the OHL with 17 goals and is second with 35 points in 14 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters this season. The Farmington Hills, Mich., native is winning 59.2 percent of his faceoffs this year. He posted his second-straight 51-goal season in 2015-16, making him one of three OHL players since 1997-98 with consecutive 50-goal seasons, joining Ottawa’s Tyler Toffoli (Los Angeles Kings) in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and Sudbury’s Norman Milley in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. He won the 2015 OHL Rookie of the Year after accumulating 104 points (51G, 53A) in his first season with Erie.
In three seasons with the Otters, DeBrincat has registered 119 goals and 121 assists in 142 career games.”
Winnipeg nabs Mudbugs defenseman in NHL draft
Croix Evingson made Mudbugs history Saturday.
In the seventh round of the NHL Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected the Shreveport Mudbugs defenseman with the 211th overall selection.
Shreveport Mudbugs defenseman Croix Evingson was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets.(Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)
The 6-foot-5, 209-pound Alaska native captured Defenseman of the Year honors in the North American Hockey League for the 2016-17 season. He led all blue-liners with 52 points (12 goals, 40 assists).
Evingson is committed to play college hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
The Mudbugs recently completed their first season in the NAHL, a Tier-II junior league. Evingson is the player in the history of the franchise to be drafted after playing in Shreveport.
Twitter: @RoyLangIII
Original Article:
TPH Alum Attends Red Wings Development Camp
MITCH ELIOT TRYING TO “BE A SPONGE” AT RED WINGS’ DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Mitch Eliot’s first Red Wings’ development camp has come with a few bumps and bruises.
It’s summer hockey, sure, but it doesn’t mean the guys aren’t competing. Hard not to when the likes of Ken Holland, Jeff Blashill, Todd Nelson and the rest of the Red Wings’ management team are all watching.
Eliot took a stick to the face from Mattias Elfstrom near the end of the first day of training, but it didn’t stop him from raving about the start of the camp.
“It was good, it was a cool first skate,” Eliot said. “It’s good to get on the ice today and get the nerves out of you. It’s my first camp, so it was enjoyable and cool to be out here and put this gear on.”
The Grosse Pointe native is one of three Michigan natives at the camp in Traverse City, along with Adam Larkin and Tommy Marchin, Eliot’s former teammate with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2014-15. Fellow free-agent invite Michael Pastujov was Eliot’s teammate at Honeybaked, as well.
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Eliot, entering his sophomore season at Michigan State, said he wants to take in everything from the week-long camp.
“I think just to learn, be a sponge and soak it all in,” he said. “For me, it’s my first camp, so I’m watching everything, kind of out here to just have fun and enjoy it, but most of all just learn as much as I can.”
He’s trying to focus on playing and learning, rather than being distracted by who’s sitting in the stands watching.
“Not so much,” he said when asked if it was nerve-wracking to skate in front of Holland. “That kind of concept has helped me throughout the last few years of my career. You’re not really thinking about that, just trying to learn as much as you can, watch as much as you can and enjoy it.”
Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
The son of former Red Wings goaltender and Fox Sports Detroit analyst Darren Eliot said he headed to Traverse City with simple advice from his dad.
“Just to enjoy it, learn as much as you can,” Eliot said. “Just take everything with a grain of salt and keep learning, really.”
The 19-year-old blueliner will be trying to take his development camp experience back to East Lansing, where he will be playing for a new coaching staff in 2017-18. The Spartans are set to start a new era under former USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program head coach and MSU product Danton Cole.
“I think the new staff will be fantastic,” Eliot said. “I’m looking forward to learning from them and playing under them next year. For me, as a sophomore, I’m trying to have a bigger role than I did last year. Hopefully we’ll have a little more success than we did last year.”
Original article from mihockeynow.com
Avalanche Training Camp: Compher Stands Out!
Hello from Magness Arena, where a Zamboni is out there right now resurfacing the ice following the Colorado Avalanche annual Burgundy-White game. This, after J.T. Compher wiped the competition on the same ice Sunday.
Compher, no question about it, was the No. 1 star of the game. He scored two goals – one a hard-to-the-net rebound putback against a rusty-looking Semyon Varlamov, and the other a pinpoint slap shot to the top left corner from the right circle. He helped his White team to an easy 6-2 win.
Compher was his usual “I don’t want to talk about myself, just about my team” unsmiling self after the game. “Intense” is definitely the word to best describe the ginger-haired 22-year-old from Northbrook, Ill. Compher’s idea of fun this summer was to punish himself every day in the Michigan area under the auspices of a new trainer and skills coach, Brandon Naurato. Compher was never slow, but he looks noticeably quicker than during his first season split between San Antonio and the Avs.
“I skated with (Naurato) for about eight weeks, working on a lot of stuff to help create space for myself, and a lot of shooting. It definitely helped pay off today,” Compher said.
Compher skated on lines with several players, but started the day centering a line with A.J. Greer and Nail Yakupov.
“J.T. is skating noticeably well,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “He had two perfect shots today. He’s moving real well and that’s why he’s getting a few more chances.”
Yakupov, who is on a one-year “prove-it” contract with the Avs (for more on his thoughts of making the team, click here), was another shining star on the day. He finished with two assists, both of the high-skill variety. He slipped a nice little lead pass to Compher for his right-circle snipe and dished some sweet sauce to Travis Barron on a 2-on-1 that the prospect finished off.
Other news, notes and observations from the game:
- Andrei Mironov, the former KHL defender, did himself a lot of good Sunday. He scored a goal on a big slap shot and nearly scored on a similar shot, and generally looked steady in his own end. Bednar said Mironov seems to be slowing the game down a little better in his mind, not quite the scrambly, nervous-looking guy of the rookie showcase last weekend in San Jose.
- Bednar said Chris Bigras, vying for a depth spot on the Avs’ defensive group, was just “OK” in the game. Bigras had a couple of turnovers and mishandled the puck a couple of other times. Bednar seemed more upbeat about the play of fellow rookie hopeful Duncan Siemens, who was very physical and jumped into the play offensively at times too.
- Barron scored two goals, including an empty-netter, and has looked solid so far in camp and in the showcase. He won’t make the club out of camp, but he’s shown well as a big winger.
- D-man David Warsofsky had a good day, scoring one of Burgundy’s two goals and playing a fast game with the puck.
- Varlamov looked, well, not great. He allowed five goals on 28 shots and just seemed rusty. But he seemed to move well enough, and he was hung out to dry a couple of times by a Burgundy defense that struggled.
- Sven Andrighetto scored the other Burgundy goal and was slippery with the puck most of the day.
- Brady Shaw needed some help off the ice after taking a big hit. He seemed to have suffered a possible head injury, but there was no immediate word on this condition.
- Alex Kerfoot had a quiet day on the score sheet and nearly gave Burgundy a gift goal when a back pass in his own zone was intercepted for a mini-breakaway. He did make a couple of nice passes, but overall he probably won’t remember the day with great fondness.
Click here to view the article on BSNDenver.com.
11 TPH Trained Players on November NHL Central Scouting List
COE, 8-WEEK PROGRAM, THUNDER, AND MHA ALUMNI GETTING NOTICED BY NHL SCOUTS
Total Package Hockey is proud to announce that 11 TPH-trained players have recently been recognized by NHL Central Scouting as ‘players to watch’ for the upcoming 2018 NHL Draft.
On Central Scouting’s November watch list, players were grouped by A, B and C ratings – one TPH alum appeared in the A group, while three appeared in the ‘B’ and seven in the ‘C’ group.
“It’s awesome to see these players be rewarded for all their hard work,” said TPH managing partner Nathan Bowen. “We’re proud of all of them for everything they do on and off the ice to be elite hockey players and even better young men.”
Six of the players on the Central Scouting list are alumni of the TPH Center of Excellence in Detroit, eight of the players have taken part in the TPH 8-week offseason training program, two of the players are TPH Thunder alumni, and one is a product of the Michigan Hockey Advancement high school hockey fall program.
“A” rated players
Bode Wilde – TPH CoE (Detroit) – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program
“B” rated players
Johnny Gruden – 8-week training program (Detroit) – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program
Christian Krygier – TPH CoE and 8-week training program (Detroit) – Lincoln Stars
Cole Krygier – TPH CoE and 8-week training program (Detroit) – Lincoln Stars
“C” rated players
Caleb Everett – TPH CoE and 8-week program (Detroit) – Saginaw Spirit
Blade Jenkins – TPH CoE and 8-week program (Detroit) – Saginaw Spirit
Will MacKinnon – TPH CoE and 8-week program (Detroit) – Des Moines Buccaneers
Tommy Miller – 8-week training program (Detroit) – Michigan State Spartans
Alec Regula – MHA and 8-week training program (Detroit) – London Knights
Renars Krastenburgs – TPH Thunder AAA Hockey Club alum – Oshawa Generals
Ben Schultheis – TPH Thunder AAA Hockey Club alum – Minnesota Magicians
11 TPH trained players on NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings for 2018 Draft
COE, 8-WEEK PROGRAM, THUNDER, AND MHA ALUMNI RANKED BY NHL SCOUTS
Total Package Hockey is proud to announce that 11 TPH trained players appeared on the NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings for the upcoming 2018 NHL Draft that was released yesterday.
With its mid-term rankings, NHL Central Scouting offers a numerical ranking system for all North-American skaters and goaltenders, as well as European skaters and goaltenders.
“It’s awesome to see these players be recognized by the official scouting service of the NHL,” said TPH managing partner Nathan Bowen. “They’ve earned this ranking based off everything they do at the rink and away from the ice in their quest to be elite hockey players and even better men and citizens.”
“We’re incredibly proud of these players,” said TPH Director of Player Development Brandon Naurato. “Having worked with almost all of them personally, I can attest to their work ethic, their drive and their determination – they’ve reached this point because they’re willing to put in the work, and they also know that they must maintain that level moving forward.”
Two year TPH CoE – Detroit alumni Blade Jenkins is currently rated No. 24 overall in NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings.
Six of the players on the Central Scouting list are alumni of the TPH Center of Excellence in Detroit, seven of the players have taken part in the TPH 8-week offseason training program, two of the players are TPH Thunder AAA Hockey Club alumni, and one is a product of the Michigan Hockey Advancement high school hockey fall program.
Apply for the Center of Excellence in Detroit, Atlanta, Nashville or Indianapolis: CLICK HERE
Register for the Detroit 8 Week Program: CLICK HERE
Skaters
No. 22 – Bode Wilde – TPH CoE (Detroit) – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program
No. 24 – Blade Jenkins – TPH CoE and 8-week program (Detroit) – Saginaw Spirit
No. 43 – Alec Regula – MHA and 8-week training program (Detroit) – London Knights
No. 48 – Jonathan Gruden – 8-week training program (Detroit) – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program
No. 86 – Caleb Everett – TPH CoE and 8-week program (Detroit) – Saginaw Spirit
No. 98 – Paul Cotter – 8 week program (Detroit) – Lincoln Stars
No. 137 – Renas Krastenbergs- TPH Thunder AAA Hockey Club alum – Oshawa Generals
No. 148 – Cole Krygier – TPH CoE and 8-week training program (Detroit) – Lincoln Stars
No. 159 – Christian Krygier – TPH CoE and 8-week training program (Detroit) – Lincoln Stars
No. 191 – Ben Schultheis- TPH Thunder AAA Hockey Club alum – Minnesota Magicians
Goaltenders
No. 28 – Drew DeRidder – TPH CoE and 8-week training program (Detroit) – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program