Elite Hockey shoots for improving players

Times Reporter     

 

Doug Raycroft’s Elite Hockey Development Camp has the intentions of teaching hard, fast-paced and aggressive on and off-ice sessions. 

As a coach in the camp, Raycroft wants to see the utmost potential from a player when they arrive. The most rewarding aspect for him is to watch a player over the next hockey season and really see the dynamics of what the player developed from the camp.

“Right now we have a prospect camp (started June 2 and ends Aug. 15) running off-ice fitness … for any kids that want to train for hockey,” said Raycroft. 

The age groups who can train in the hockey camp are bantam double A’s, triple A’s midget 15’s and triple A’s. There are a variety of players who can attend these summer camps to enhance their on and off-ice conditioning.

“It (the camp) is meant for players in this area that wants to train to become faster, stronger and work on their skills,” said Raycroft.

The newest addition to the Elite Hockey Development is the off-ice conditioning which was in high demand. Raycroft and his staff were approached from many parents to include it in the program.

“They (the parents) came to us all the time and told us that it was too expensive to go to the city (for off-ice conditioning) and time (is limited) as you do not have a choice and thought we would offer that this year,” said Raycroft.

The off-ice component, according to Raycroft, has been popular amongst the first-year camp attendees.

Under Raycroft’s guidance, it seems like every year the amount of camps have gained increased interest.

“About seven years now we have ran camps (and) have adapted over time, we used to have a full week hockey school but the one year we had to cancel because the ice was gone (in the rink) and ran fall camps that were really well received,” said Raycroft.

On the ice, the players are being pushed to improve, and for the camp coaching staff it takes a little more to keep the players on track.

“The big thing we try to emphasize is that it is all about skill development … and doing them right,” said Raycroft. “We try to focus not just on passing speed and doing it properly (but correcting) the kids when we need to.”

But above all, the camp gives the kids an opportunity to come out in the summer and learn about the fundamentals of hockey in hopes of going to a higher level with their careers.

“I will see kids play at a level they were not at before and (the kids) will come up to me in the winter and tell (me) about how great (the camp) was and thank you and it is rewarding that way,” said Raycroft.

Other camps that run through the summer months include: the Advantage program which runs from Aug. 5-29; a puck-handling clinic from Aug. 16-17; Tyke Camp from Aug. 19-30; and a shooting clinic from Aug. 30-31.

If you’re an interested and want to register, you can go online at www.elitehockeydevelopment.com.