Over 180 boys and girls from HNJ’s four cities took to the Prudential Center 8/6 – 8/10 for the 2018 Hockey in New Jersey Summer Camp. This was the first time all four HNJ cities had participants skating on the ice together. The week was full of on and off-ice activities, simulating the day in a life of a college hockey player. The entire week was supported by the New Jersey Devils, Whole Foods and RWJBarnabas Health.
Whole Foods provided jerseys for every participant in the camp. Through the week they also provided drinks and snacks for everyone. To cap off the week, 20 of the hardest working players who chosen by coaches to receive a gift bag, which included gift certificates to their local Whole Foods Market.
For the third year in a row, RWJBarnabas Health conducted nutrition classes and sport injury prevention training. For participants in their second and third year of camp, an emphasis was placed on building on the training learned in previous camps. By creating quick, easy to make, healthy snack recipes and performing exercises to enhance their athleticism, HNJ players learned ways to improve their lifestyles to become better hockey players.
The week was also full of guests, on and off the ice. On the ice, HNJ campers were instructed by Devils alumni Ken Daneyko and Bruce Driver. They also got to meet current Devils Keith Kinkaid and Pavel Zacha following their morning workouts.
The u10’s curriculum was geared to improve the hockey playing experience for HNJ’s youngest participants. During their classroom sessions, they were taught hockey basics such as terminology, positioning, and communication/team skills. The older u10s also learned practical skills to prepare as a hockey player, learning how to tape their own stick, and tie their skates.
With the focus of optimizing performance on and off the ice, u14 and u18 student-athletes learned different approaches during their sport psychology classes. Topics included identifying purpose as a hockey player, building mentally strong athletes, importance of, and improving communication/teamwork skills. Joining the classes to discuss these topics were Metro Riveters defenseman Shelly Picard and Kiira Dodsall, as well as former Cornell stand-out and Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) forward Alex Rauter.
Also stopping by to speak to the u18 group, Montclair State University Men’s Hockey Coach & Women’s General Manager, Rob Martinez stopped by to discuss balancing a college workload while playing hockey. In addition, New Jersey Devils Vice President of Digital Marketing, Rick Haring discussed careers in sports and provided an insight on marketing strategies that the Devils plan to use for the upcoming season.
The week was successful thanks to over fifty volunteer coaches and counselors. A special thanks to the New Jersey Devils and everyone who made this week possible for Hockey in New Jersey’s student-athletes!
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