 The
Player Development program is intended to create a developmental opportunity
for some of the best young skaters in our country. The Select Program
identifies and grows potential athletes. These athletes oftentimes go on to
play an integral role in providing skilled players to fill the rosters of our
national teams, competing at the highest level against international
competition. Many former participants have gone on to represent our country
internationally and can be found on many professional rosters.
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2008 Development Program Information
The
number of players to be selected are from 2005. These number could change
for 2008.
 USA
Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP)
NTDP Web Site
Players from the Central District tryouts (see below) advance into the USA
Hockey NTDP. The NTDP includes Festivals and Development camps from which
players for the USA Hockey 17U National teams are selected.
Players selected from the Tri-State
Select Camp move on to:
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- Earn a spot at the Central District
Tryouts (93s,
92s, and 91s) |
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May 2-4 , 2007 -
Central
District
Festival
Team tryouts @ Vernon Hills, Illinois |
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Selected 1993's from Chicago -> (Facility TBD) |
Aug 2-8, 2008 |
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Selected
1992's
from
Chicago -> ESL
Sports
Center,
Rochester,
New York |
June 22-28, 2008 |
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Selected
1991's
from
Chicago -> (Facility TBD)
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June 2-12, 2008 |
Players from Tri-State, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri compete at the
Central District tryouts for a spot on a USA Hockey Festival team or to attend
a USA Hockey Development Camp. At Central District tryouts, players who
advance from the Tri-State Select Camp are placed on a tryout team.
Competitors and teammates will include players from Wisconsin, Illinois, and
Missouri Tier I AAA teams.
More >>
- Go directly to
a USA Hockey Development Camp (94s)
July 13-19, 2008
USA Hockey Select 14 Player Development Camp
ESL Sports Center,
Rochester, New York
A Forward and Defense player will be selected to attend the USA Hockey
Development Camp in Rochester NY.
More >>
- Attend
the Central
District Bantam Camp
@ ISU in
Ames, Iowa (93s & 94s)
June 15-20 , 2008 - District Bantam Camp
From the Mid-West Select Camp, players will be selected to attend a one week
Camp
to be held at the Iowa State University
facilities in Ames, Iowa. This camp is put on by the Central District, and
coaches/instructors can include USHL/College coaches, former Pro/College
players, and USA Hockey staff.
More >>
The
Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois web site has more information.
Who Qualifies:
(Allotments
are from
2006)
14 year olds (1993 Birth year):
- USA Hockey Development Camp
(1) Forward and (1) Defense
15 year olds (1992 Birth year)
- Attend Central District Tryouts
(3) Forwards, (3) Defense, and (1) goalie
- Attend Iowa
State Bantam Camp
The players selected for the
Central District Tryouts go to Iowa State for the Central District Bantam Camp.
Plus, An additional (12) Forwards, (7) Defense, and (2) Goalie will be selected
to attend from the Tri-State Select Camp. A total of (15) Forwards, (10)
Defense, and (3) Goalies will attend this Camp from Tri-State.
16 year olds (1991 Birth year)
- Attend Central District Tryouts
(3) Forwards, (3) Defense, and (1) goalie
17 year olds (1990 Birth year)
- Attend Central District Tryouts
(3) Forwards, (3) Defense, and (1) goalie
* Potentially, (1) additional Forward and (1)
additional Defense player could be allotted from USA Hockey to participate in
the 15, 16, & 17 year old divisions.
Program Organization
The Program starts on a regional level where
talented players are identified and asked to move on to the district level to
compete for a position on the District Select Team. The District Team competes
in a festival style competition against the other nine USA Hockey districts
teams. This process is highly selective and produces intense, high tempo
competition and elevates the play of participants.
The selection process starts at the regional or affiliate level.
Tri-State Hockey creates several teams from pre-registered skaters that compete
in a two-day round robin competition. Players age 14, 15, 16, and 17 get the
opportunity to compete for an allotted number of positions specified by the
Central District. The best skaters will be offered the opportunity to repeat
the process at the district level. The district venue is generally located in
the Chicago metropolitan area. At the 14-year-old age group, USA Hockey offers
a truly developmental experience. This age group does not participate in a
festival competition. Rather, these younger skaters receive instruction from
some of the best coaches in the country. For 15, 16, 17, the district camp
produces the Central District Team that competes in a festival style
competition later in the summer at Ann Arbor, Michigan or St. Cloud Minnesota.
The competition is tough and the allotments are few, but opportunities are
many. For instance, many participants will have the opportunity to compete for
positions in the In- District Bantam Camp that is held at Ferris State
University. Additionally, participants are exposed to coaches of midget, junior
and college teams who frequently attend these events. Many quality players that
were not selected at the district level have secured other playing
opportunities by exposure received through the select camp process. Ultimately,
development is the key objective of the select process. Exposure is a reality
of the process, and players not only get to compete for best district team in
the United States, but also showcase their skills to NHL and college scouts.
Once again, it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase skills and participate in
the Olympic development process.
Testimonials
Eligible and interested hockey players should keep in mind the
opportunity newly afforded 14 yr olds by USA Hockey for skills development at
next spring's Tri-State try-outs. In 2001 USA Hockey added an Age-14 level to
its traditional 15, 16, 17 & 18 National Player Development Festival/Camps.
This year Alex Gillaspie, of Norwalk, was selected as the defenseman to
represent our Tri-State Affiliate at the USA Hockey 14(1987 birth year) Select
Festival in Rochester, NY. Alex recently returned from Rochester and reports
that the camp was really a great chance to gain exposure for our Tri-State
League nationally but, more so it's geared to focus on player development at
this initial 14 yr old level. Players were drafted onto teams and played
a tournament during each evening of the week-long camp. Each day they
participated in various team & positional practices, dry-land training, and
"chalk-talk" classroom sessions
with top-level national coaches. So 1988 birth-year players, in
particular, should mark their calendars and watch for info on the website
regarding next year's Tri-State try-outs and this unique opportunity.
Mike Gillaspie
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