I just returned from one of my most rewarding experiences in hockey. Having finished up at the AllState All-Canadians Camp allowed me to work with Canada's top 42 fourteen year olds in the country. The camp was meant to introduce them to an NHL style experience that covered everything from game preparation, nutrition, fitness, and mental skills. Myself, Gary Roberts, and Matt Nichol delivered all of the off-ice training and nutrition information for these young athletes. Additionally they got to work on the ice with the likes of Jeff Skinner, Luke and Braydon Schenn, Jason Spezza and many other of the NHL's top stars.
http://www.ctv.ca/canadaAMPlayer/index.html?video=513820 Note you will be taken away from this blog when you click on the video link.
http://www.ctv.ca/canadaAMPlayer/index.html?video=513820 Note you will be taken away from this blog when you click on the video link.
The following is the media announcement along with some great pics in the trenches.
Canada’s Young Hockey Stars Sharpen their Skills at the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp
TORONTO, ON (July 28, 2011) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) is pleased to welcome the 42 selected bantam-aged players who will participate in the first annual Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp. The intensive five-day camp, led by 21-year NHL veteran Gary Roberts, will give young athletes from across the country the exclusive opportunity to learn from NHL players – such as Luke Schenn, Jeff Skinner and Jason Spezza – about the importance of fitness, nutrition, mental conditioning and much more. The inaugural camp will be held from August 2 - 6, 2011 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, ON, with the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Cup being held on Saturday, August 6 at 1:00 PM.
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| Gary Roberts being interviewed & coaching |
To view the list of the 42 players competing in the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp, visit www.Allstate.All-Canadians.com. “I’m looking forward to sharing with these young players my knowledge of health and nutrition that helped me achieve success and longevity in my career,” said Gary Roberts. “Our on and off-ice training programs have been carefully developed to demonstrate how elements like nutrition, fitness and mental health can give these players an edge over their competition. Learning this early in their development will provide them with infinite benefits throughout their careers.”
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| Coaches Goldenberg & Nichol |
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| Coach Goldenberg & Jeff Skinner |
Players attending the Mentorship Camp will have the opportunity to improve their skills both on and off the ice. Several NHL stars will work with the players during their daily skates to help sharpen their skills. The players will also learn from Dr. Paul Dennis, sport psychologist who formerly served as the Player Development Coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, on the importance of achieving a strong mental state to excel in the game. Other off-ice sessions will be led by Roberts who will teach the athletes about proper nutrition to ensure stamina throughout a game. Parents will also be invited to selected sessions designed to equip families with the information they need to improve both on and off the ice. Each day, players will learn optimal workouts with renowned strength and conditioning trainers, Lorne Goldenberg and Matt Nichol.
