TPH St. Louis adds staff, continues to see success through pandemic

(ST. LOUIS) – TPH and its Center of Excellence (CoE) in St. Louis are thrilled to add two more staff members to its family. Molly Porfidio has joined the team as an Academic Success Coach, and Ryan Hurston has been added as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.

“For the development and growth of our student-athletes, Molly and Ryan will add an extra layer of accountability and instruction that will allow our students to take ownership for their development and be the best they can be,” said Philip McRae, Director of Hockey-Operation at TPH St. Louis.

Molly earned her Bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University where she double-majored in Secondary Education and English. In addition to being a licensed teacher in Missouri, Molly is also currently pursuing a Master’s degree in higher education from Lindenwood University. In her previous role, Molly worked for Lindenwood Athletics within the Academic Success Center, helping to mentor and monitor the academic progress of their student-athletes.

Ryan Hurston joins Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Bret Kelly in TPH St. Louis’ off-ice training of its students. Ryan will be assisting Bret and TPH’s student-athletes in the gym a minimum of twice a week. Ryan attended DePauw University and earned a degree in Kinesiology. He’s also on staff at Mercy Sports Performance in Maryland Heights.

“It’s going to be more hands-on training and instruction for individual student-athletes, which will only help them improve their off-ice training that much more,” said McRae on the addition of Hurston. “We’re excited to add Ryan to the off-ice training staff.”

Success in year one

In its first full year, TPH St. Louis saw tremendous success with its student-athletes.

“We had 37 students in this year, and it’s worked out really well with small groups of on and off-ice training,” said McRae. “The kids have been working hard and having fun with the training, but more importantly, it’s been great to see the kids putting in the same effort in the classroom academically. They finished strong in the first semester with academics, and that’s the most important thing. It’s been awesome to see the students grow and develop as hockey players, students and as people in general.”

It hasn’t been easy for anyone in education to work through a pandemic, but the staff and students in St. Louis have found a way to be successful and to overtake any obstacle thrown their way.

“We’ve taken it day-by-day just like the rest of the world,” said McRae. “We’ve had to go through some challenging times and adversity, but the staff and students have found a way to get the training and schoolwork that the kids need during this difficult time for everyone. We’re looking to keep battling through this to get the kids really what they need, while at the same time being safe and following all the guidelines that we need to.”

As the school has grown with its student-athletes, the goal in St. Louis is to always put the kids first and add the necessary staff members to support them. With the addition of more staff members, the student to staff ratio will continue to be at a level where each and every child at TPH St. Louis receives one-on-one attention to help them reach their goals as an athlete.


Interested in learning more about the TPH Center of Excellence St. Louis? TPH St. Louis will be hosting an on-site open house February 8th. Attendees must register to attend but the open house is FREE. Click here to reserve you seat.

Learn more about the Center of Excellence in St. Louis.

 

 

Nichol and Schmuck receive tenders; excited for next step in their careers

Hayden Nichol and Landry Schmuck, both of the TPH Center of Excellence in Nashville and the 18U AAA Jr Predators, received tender offers. Nichol singed a tender with the NAHL Shreveport Mudbugs and Schmuck was tendered by the Aberdeen Wings. Watch as both speak with TPH’s Justin Bradford about the exciting next step for their careers, their experience at the Center of Excellence and some fun “get-to-know-you” questions.

Learn more about the Center of Excellence here.

Learn more about the Nashville Jr Predators here.

TK Scholarship Fund Announced

(HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA – November 14, 2020) – Total Package Hockey (TPH) along with John and Amy Kennedy have announced the TK Scholarship Fund at the TPH Center of Excellence. The TK Scholarship Fund was created to celebrate the life and legacy of MAJ Thomas E. Kennedy, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan on August 8, 2012. Applications will be available soon at TotalPackageHockey.com/TKScholarshipFund.

“The TK Scholarship Fund was put in place to honor the memory and serving legacy of Tommy Kennedy,” said TPH Chief Executive Officer Nathan Bowen. “While serving our country, Tommy lost his life and paid the ultimate price. His brother, John Kennedy, and sister-in-law, Amy Kennedy, brought this opportunity to us just a few months ago after their son Jack had a great experience at our TPH Center of Excellence in Atlanta, Georgia. They asked if they could do more. Once we learned what the TK Scholarship Fund was all about, to see the vision, mission and values align exactly the same as TPH, we knew this was going to be a great opportunity to serve some student-athletes that need a little more help. But more importantly, we knew this pointed to the “TK way” as we preach to our student-athletes on a daily basis what it means to put others first, team first and family first, just like Tommy.”

Major Kennedy was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a varsity defensemen on the Black Knight Ice Hockey team. He was a dedicated student-athlete, a cherished leader amongst his fellow soldiers and an outspoken advocate for those who needed a helping hand. MAJ Kennedy’s legacy lives on through the recipients of this scholarship by providing financial assistance to elite student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, dedication to academic success and a desire to train at the highest level in their sport.

“For us to be in a position to extend his legacy to help others receive a great education as well as advance their athletic career is a true honor,” said John Kennedy, Thomas’ brother. “To have TPH also be a part of that, it wraps up full circle. Our brother was a hockey player that went to West Point. He came out an incredible leader a the free world and died fighting for his country. For him to know that he’s helping folks that are a little less financially fortunate, and to let their kid follow their dream, it’s nothing short of spectacular.”

Kennedy was a highly decorated officer, he earned dozens of awards and service medals, including Bronze Star Medal (3), Purple Heart and Bronze Star Posthumous, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star (4), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab.

“Tommy just really embodied what it meant to be a great student, a great athlete, a great teammate and a great leader,” said Amy Kennedy, sister-in-law of Thomas. “He was always looking out for other people and always standing up for people that didn’t have voices for themselves. That’s why we’re so grateful to be involved with TPH, because the values and pillars of TPH align with who he was as a human.”

The ideal candidate for the TK Scholarship Fund at the TPH Center of Excellence is a student-athlete that is dedicated to their academic studies, exudes a tremendous amount of leadership both in their sport and in their community and stands up for what is right. Learn more at TotalPackageHockey.com/TKScholarshipFund.

Center of Excellence Student-Athlete of the Month: Ty Johnston


Get to know our September Student-Athlete of the Month, Ty Johnston, from our Center of Excellence in Atlanta. Ty is a defenseman for the 13U AAA Nashville Jr. Predators team, and has enjoyed his experience going to school and training with his teammates every day.

Learn more about our Centers of Excellence here.

Boston Adds Sharfman as Director of Academics

(BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – September 23, 2020) – Total Package Hockey (TPH) has announced the addition of Nelson Sharfman as the Director of Academics for its Boston division. Sharfman brings with him many years of experience in education, engineering and business.

Sharfman’s credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Material Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master of Business Administration from Babson College. He has worked in engineering consulting, product development and engineering/manufacturing management. 15 years ago, Sharfman became interested in the development of people. He then pursued a career that allowed him to do that as Sharfman is certified to teach science and mathematics in Massachusetts. Tutoring and one-on-one education is what excites him the most as he feels that’s where he can have the biggest impact. That’s one of the main reasons why he’s thrilled to join TPH at the Boston Center of Excellence.

“The Center of Excellence gives an opportunity for a lot of one-on-one instruction,” said Sharfman. “I have a lot of experience in tutoring and have worked with a variety of students from junior high through college. The one-on-one learning that you get supporting kids in their educational endeavors is the most stimulating of all. Having the educational platform from Edmentum as the backbone and core element of the education takes a lot of the burden of teaching off and you can focus on some of the concepts the kids need the most support with. I think some of the powerful learning all occurs when there’s direct engagement with another human being. When you’re working with someone one-on-one, you can find the roadblocks to learning specifically and help the student realize what that roadblock is and help them work through it.”

The TPH Center of Excellence creates an excellent balance for student-athletes to study, train and play. Sharfman believe that balance empowers the student-athlete to succeed.

“This academic model where you pair it up with athletics really empowers the people that participate,” said Sharfman. “It gives them a sense of control that they are actively going after something that is important to them. It makes the academics not being trapped in a building, but a task that has to be accomplished in order for them to succeed. For the kids, they can see it as a means to an end, a task that needs to be accomplished. It’s they have to actively complete in order to get where they want to go.”

Sharfman also has experience working in the education portion of a sports academy as he was previously with the North American Hockey Academy. His previous experience in multiple industries, as well as his dedication to education, makes him a perfect fit for TPH and its Center of Excellence.

Learn more about the Center of Excellence.

Learn more about TPH Boston.

 

 

Kostolansky Named Director of Hockey-Operation in Denver

Former pro and UNH assistant captain comes home to share his experience with student-athletes

(DENVER, CO – August 21, 2020) – Jordan Pietrus, Executive Director of Total Package Hockey (TPH) Colorado, has announced the addition of Brett Kostolansky as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Denver division. Kostolansky brings with him a tremendous amount of experience from playing Division-I college hockey and taking the next step to the professional level.

 

“We were looking for someone that first and foremost is of high character,” said Pietrus on hiring Kostolansky. “Everyone we spoke to about Brett spoke extremely highly of him and his character. Our directors are leading young men and women and spending a lot of time with them and mentoring them. His hockey experience both playing and coaching is something we were looking for. He’s a former Thunderbird. He played prep school and then went to the University of New Hampshire, which is one of the top college programs in the country. Then, he had a chance to play professionally after college. Being a homegrown Colorado youth hockey player and now having the opportunity to give back to the next generation is something that’s really exciting for us.”

 

Following his time in youth hockey programs in Denver, Kostolansky played two seasons of prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. He then played for the Chicago Steel of the USHL for one season before beginning his college career at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Kostolansky played all four years at UNH and then spent three seasons with the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL. He took a path that so many TPH student-athletes wish to take, and now he’s come home to share that experience.

 

“I think it’s real special to join TPH, especially growing up here in Denver,” said Kostolansky. “Being able to give back to the community and be a part of the Denver hockey community has always been a goal of mine. I grew up here, went through the youth programs and took that path. I’m excited to pass that experience down to the youth hockey players here in Denver.”

 

Being a former college athlete provides a wealth of knowledge about finding the balance between athletics and education. Kostolansky understands how important education is at TPH and how it molds young minds into being upstanding members of society.

 

“I learned that you don’t take the education part for granted,” Kostolansky said. “That’s subtly the most important part. Your mind may be more towards the hockey part, but your education, and what you put in the classroom and what you get out of that, is the most important part of being a student-athlete in furthering your hockey career, or any career for that matter.

 

During his senior year at UNH, Kostolansky wore an “A” as an assistant captain for the team. Being a leader is not an easy task. It’s not something that’s just given. It has to be earned, and Kostolansky is prepared to create future leaders at TPH.

 

“I think it’s your preparation and being a good role model,” said Kostolansky on what it takes to lead by example. “To be a leader, first and foremost you have to have your teammates look up to you. You have to set the right example. It starts with that and that’s on your own preparation, your own processes and that will bleed down to the rest of the organization. Just setting that good example gets everyone off on the right foot and creates a great culture.”

 

Kostolansky is bringing the right mindset to mentor the student-athletes in Denver. He’s ready to help them pursue their goals, whatever they may be. By providing them with the right tools for life, it will lead to more opportunities athletically.

 

“We want our players to be advancing athletically,” said Jordan Pietrus. “We want them to play at the highest level possible. The most important thing for us is preparing them for life. If we can mentor them and give them tools that will help them win at life, that’s what we’re really striving full. If we help them achieve their goals athletically, that’s just a bonus for us.”

 

Apply for TPH Center of Excellence Colorado-Denver – ONLY 2 SPOTS REMAINING.

Learn more about TPH Colorado-Denver.

Learn more about the Center of Excellence.

Lisa Cannon Named Director of Academics for TPH Florida

(ESTERO, FLORIDA – August 19, 2020) – Total Package Hockey (TPH) Chief Academic Officer Bill Simms announced the addition of Lisa Cannon as the Director of Academics for its Florida Division Wednesday. Cannon is joining TPH following nine years as a teacher lead at Oasis High School in the City of Cape Coral Charter School Authority.

 

“Lisa’s a fantastic new hire for us and is an experienced educator who’s worked with students at various grade levels and at various capacities whether it’s direct instruction or academic support,” said Simms. “She’s very familiar with the Edmentum learning platform and has used it extensively at her current school setting. Her experiences are going to bring a huge advantage for our students in her ability to understand where our students are at and where they need to go. She’ll help build a successful academic plan for each student.”

 

The TPH academic staff work on site as coaches and mentors to student-athletes. They mentor students on site in learning labs and help teach organization skills, accountability and provide support when needed. Aside from the classroom, the academic staff serve as great communicators with parents, teachers and hockey staff. For Cannon, she’ll be communicating to the students, and their parents, about the high expectations she has for them.

 

“I want to put across the high expectations on how important education is,” Cannon said. “My son is an athlete as well, and I’ve always said that as much as you love this, no matter where you go with it, your education has to be the most important thing to get you where you want to be. I think always having high expectations for my students, no matter what they believe about what they can accomplish, that they’ll always try to rise to that expectation. That’s when you’ll see the best from them. When they believe it, you’ve done something right as a teacher.“

Cannon brings with her a tremendous amount of experience not just in education, but also in leadership. She has served as a faculty advisor for the National Honor Society, Student Government Association and Oasis High School Leadership Team for over five years. In addition, she was awarded 2018 Teacher of the Year by the City of Cape Coral Charter School Foundation. Developing a well-rounded person requires education on becoming a leader and learning how to be a good teammate both on and off the ice.

 

“Teamwork is an important leadership skill,” said Cannon. “You have to be able to know that those people that are there with you, whether it’s in the classroom or on the ice, are working together as a unit. It shouldn’t just be about you. It should be about that person next to you. We grow better when you work as a team and not by yourself. “

 

Communication is at the core of education and leadership. The Director of Academics is charged with relationship building and having a high-level ability to communicate and connect with their students as well as with TPH staff. Given her award-winning background, there’s no doubt Lisa Cannon will be an incredible addition to the Total Package Hockey family.

 

“I’m very excited to be a part of this innovative form of education,” said Cannon. “I truly believe this is the direction education is going. I’ve been an educator for the past 10 years, and I’m just very excited to be a part of this growing company and the direction that it’s going.”

 

TPH Detroit’s Allison Anagyros promoted to Director of Academics

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – Total Package Hockey Chief Academic Officer Bill Simms announced the promotion of Allison Anagyros to the role of Director of Academics on Monday.

Anagyros, who joined TPH Detroit in the summer of 2019, was previously the Success Coach at the Center of Excellence. In that role she was an integral part in navigating a successful finish to the spring semester where the TPH Center of Excellence adjusted seamlessly to a hybrid model. Anagyros’ transition to her new role will be smooth with her familiarity with the student-athletes and her experience with the model.

“I’m extremely excited to have Allison as our new Director of Academics,” said Simms. “She has valuable experience working with student-athletes from her time at Indiana University and has learned a lot from her time as a Success Coach at TPH-Detroit this past year. I feel confident that she’ll will provide great leadership to our students and families on the academic front.”

As a part of the TPH Center of Excellence Detroit team, Anagyros will lead the student-athletes in the classroom ensuring their academic growth as well as ensuring the whole operation can take place in a safe environment.

TPH Detroit Director of Hockey Operations Dwayne Norris endorsed Anagyros saying, “Her forward thinking and fresh ideas will keep pushing the development of our student-athletes through this difficult time of COVID-19 and beyond. Currently, she is actively preparing the classroom to be a safe and healthy learning environment and is taking proper precautions to ensure everything is up the highest standards while following CDC guidelines.”

Prior to TPH Detroit, Anagyros served as an Academic Adviser for Indiana University Division I Football Program and the University of Louisville Athletic Department where she received her Master’s. Additionally, she has taught classes as a Parent Engagement Coordinator for Grand Rapids Public Schools.

“I’m excited to continue working with the TPH in this new role and being a part of the leadership team! It’s been a great opportunity to take my Division I collegiate experience within academics and bring that mentality to TPH,” said Anagyros. “I’m looking forward to working with our student-athletes again and providing them with the best possible support using best practices. We have a great staff in Detroit and there’s a lot to look forward to this new school year!”

The TPH Center of Excellence Detroit is set to start class on September 9th and are still accepting applications as there is limited space still available. Please join us in congratulating Allison on this promotion and we look forward to her providing a phenomenal experience to the student-athletes at the TPH Center of Excellence in Detroit.

Center of Excellence Expands to Northeast

Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce the launch of its thirteenth Center of Excellence in the state of Massachusetts beginning in September of 2020 at the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, MA. With support from ESG Associates Inc., TPH will open its first CoE in the Massachusetts.

TPH Boston’s Center of Excellence will be a one-stop academy for student-athletes looking to maximize their development on the ice, in the weight room and, most importantly, in the classroom. TPH’s commitment to providing an educational experience that prepares student-athletes for any university setting is what we believe families in not only Massachusetts, but throughout New England, will most appreciate as we enter the “new normal”.

TPH Boston’s Center of Excellence platform is designed to meet the demands of the aspiring, elite student-athlete who desires structure, discipline and accountability but requires the flexibility to pursue athletic and career goals without the fear of missing school. The “blended learning environment” includes academics on-demand with 24/7, fully accessible NCAA courseware and full-time instructors who are dedicated to each and every enrollee. Courses are available in real time as well as on-demand, with accessible instructors who hold virtual office hours. Centers of Excellence attendees also have access to a virtual tutoring service in the event academic assistance is needed outside of the standard school hours.

Brian DeVellis, President of ESG Associates Inc. and the founder/manager of the Boston Sports Institute, negotiated the deal on behalf of BSI on August 3rd, 2020: “The Boston Sports Institute is thrilled to have TPH Boston join our sports and recreation ecosystem. Having a TPH Center of Excellence, with their long-standing history of educating and training student-athletes, partner with our in-house strength training at Boston Sports Performance Center, Inspirica tutoring center and AXE Hockey Group on ice training, will provide an unparalleled experience for our players. In this uncertain time, parents can be assured that their children will be supported by a year-long, uninterrupted educational environment where they can learn and train for the next stages of their academic and athletic careers.”

Nathan Bowen, TPH CEO, lauded the new partnership. “The Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley is the perfect location to plant our New England roots. Having one facility that already provides training and tutoring for National and Olympic figure skaters, along with top tier girls’ programs such as the North American Hockey Academy, is ready-made for our launch during these unprecedented times. Prospective TPH Boston families will appreciate that throughout the COVID-19 crisis, current TPH student-athletes across all existing Centers of Excellence have not skipped a beat academically. The academic outcomes continue to be extremely positive and student-athletes stayed either on pace or moved ahead with their schoolwork. In addition, while we hope to see a full return to normalcy as the school year rolls around, we have prepared both hybrid and completely virtual Center of Excellence options so that regardless of the pandemic, our student-athletes will have every opportunity to study, train and play”.

The Boston Sports Institute, a Steward Family Facility, is a multi-use recreational center located off Route 9 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, that opened its doors in July 2019. The facility features two pools (2012 Olympic trials pool and warm-up pool), two NHL regulation ice surfaces, indoor synthetic turf field, indoor track, and the Boston Sports Performance Center. TPH Boston will have access to these ancillary features as well as a secured workspace located on the second floor of the facility, which provides the perfect environment for our CoE student-athletes to utilize off-ice time for their homework and tutoring needs. The 2,400-square-foot workspace consists of a lounge and numerous desks, tables, and chairs as well as access to computers, internet, and Wi-Fi. In addition, private cubicles are located in the back of the workspace for undisturbed studying options.

The Boston Sports Performance Center, the premier sports performance, sports physical therapy, and sports medicine center serving the greater Boston and MetroWest communities, is conveniently located on the second floor within the Boston Sports Institute. The center provides patient- and client-centered care to individuals and athletes of all ages. Helping these individuals reach their maximum potential in the areas of health, wellness and athletic performance is the Boston Sports Performance Center’s ultimate goal.

Led by Joe Van Allen, MSPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS, Vice President of Rehabilitation Services for Steward Health Care and former New England Patriots’ Director of Rehabilitation, the Boston Sports Performance Center’s team of elite performance coaches, sports physical therapists, and athletic trainers work alongside sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons. This collaboration provides streamlined coordination of patient care and a high-performance model to the general public.

AXE Sports Group is the parent company of Hockey Night in Boston (HNIB) and the Worcester Railers Junior Hockey Club. HNIB has been at the forefront of running showcase events and news media for high school hockey since 1972. The Railers JHC also runs full-season teams at the Junior Hockey level. AXE strives to offer high school, prep school, junior and future collegiate athletes a full complement of development on and off the ice aimed towards the growth and success of each individual student-athlete while helping families determine the best path for their student-athlete’s success.

Synapse PT Official Physical Therapy Provider For TPH Colorado

ENGLEWOOD, CO – TPH Colorado is thrilled to announce that Synapse PT will be the official Physical Therapy provider for TPH students in both Denver and Superior locations for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. In Synapse, TPH student athletes and families will have a professional and trusted organization that they can lean on for all their bumps, bruises, and rehabilitation needs.

“We could not be more excited to have the opportunity to have the team at Synapse PT available as a resource to our student-athletes throughout the year at both our Denver and Superior locations.” said TPH Colorado Director, Jordan Pietrus. “Injuries, bumps, and bruises are all apart of sport, so to be able to have our students receive professional help and advice in navigating how to handle these and recover is a huge benefit. TPH is constantly looking for ways to improve our program and provide our student-athletes with every advantage possible. We believe Synapse PT is a great resource for our students, athletes and families, and that Synapse is truly a great piece to add to our program!”

Synapse PT will offer all TPH Students complementary Injury Triage Services on site in Superior and at a pop-up clinic in Denver where Synapse PT will be on site for TPH students. TPH students will also receive FMS (Functional Movement Screening) screenings with corrective exercises delivered through TPH’s training app. TPH will lean on the extensive experience of Mike Keating, his work with USA Rugby and the Chicago Blackhawks, and Synapse’s team of fully qualified and professional staff for things like additional education sessions and even neurocognitive testing. With clinics located at the Promenade Ice Centre in Westminster and the Sport Stable in Superior, Synapse is your hometown physical therapy partner.

“It is part of our core belief at Synapse PT that a healthy student and athlete is a better student and athlete.” said Keating. “We love TPH’s Center of Excellence model, combining high performing academics and athletics together, and believe that we offer a missing piece to the player welfare to these student-athletes. We are really looking forward to being able to help the high performing students at TPH stay healthy, so they can achieve their goals both in the classroom, and on the ice as well!”

TPH students and families will also have the opportunity to work with Synapse in any of the various other services Synapse offers such as:

  • Orthopedic care
  • Sports medicine
  • Manual therapy
  • Spine care
  • Dry needling
  • IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage)
  • Cupping Therapy
  • Joint Replacement Rehabilitation
  • Work Hardening/Worker’s Compensation
  • Auto Accidents
  • Concussion Testing and Treatment
  • Running Biomechanics and Gait Analysis
  • Return to Sport Rehabilitation and Functional Testing
  • Pre and Post-Operative Care
  • Gait Training
  • Injury Prevention Education
  • Home Exercise Program Development
  • ACL Prevention
  • Athletic Training
  • Kinesio Taping

Do not miss your chance to secure your spot at the Center of Excellence in Superior or Denver and take advantage of our blended learning environment! No matter what happens this year with COVID, TPH WILL Go The Distance and has a plan to pivot no matter what! Space is limited and we are down to our last few spots at each location! Take the first step and apply today, or fill out our inquiry form to connect with us.