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.