Posts Tagged ‘Partners’
TPH and Sequoia Choice Strike Academic Partnership
Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce a partnership with Sequoia Choice, an Arizona public charter school that will help deliver the TPH-Edmentum NCAA-accredited, customized, blended academic learning experience to student-athletes at its eighth Center of Excellence, which will open its doors at the Ice Den Scottsdale for the 2020 school year.
“We feel extremely fortunate to be entering into an academic partnership with Sequoia Choice,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said. “Sequoia will implement the same rigorous, robust Edmentum curriculum and CoE learning experience provided across all of our Centers of Excellence, to our student-athletes at our TPH-Phoenix Center of Excellence. The leadership within Sequoia schools are passionate about student success. Their motto of ‘every child is individually known’ makes them a perfect partner for us and Edmentum, and a perfect fit for our future student-athletes, who seek a flexible yet customized learning experience. We are very excited about working with Sequoia to positively impact the lives of student-athletes at our Phoenix CoE.”
Sequoia Choice is a tuition-free Arizona public charter school and Legal Educational Agency of Edkey, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Sequoia was one of the original schools authorized by the Arizona Department of Education to provide distance learning services to Arizona students in grades K-12, and have continued to innovate and advocate for Arizona online schools since 1998.
Sequoia Choice will work alongside TPH and Edmentum to provide the CoE learning experience, one that is built on individualizing and customizing the learning experience based on where, when and how each individual learns best. The Academic Site Coach and Sequoia leadership will push TPH-Phoenix Center of Excellence attendees to produce positive academic outcomes, which Bowen says, is one of the primary goals with the Center of Excellence model.
“We always say that hockey training is the intrigue that drives interested families to the front door. Hockey is what gets them interested in the model. But we believe it is our responsibility to give student-athletes every opportunity to not only achieve their hockey goals, but their academic goals as well. The CoE model allows our student-athletes to dream big and chase hockey, academics and career all at once. This announcement puts us in a great position to ‘exceed expectations,’ which is the mission of Total Package Hockey.”
Interested in learning more about the TPH-Phoenix Center of Excellence? Click here.
TPH Detroit Partners with the Saginaw Spirit
SPIRIT PARTNER WITH TOTAL PACKAGE HOCKEY FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
SAGINAW, Mich. – Saginaw Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Wednesday the hiring of Brandon Naurato and Sean Perkins from Total Package Hockey as Skill Development Coaches.
“By adding Brandon and Sean as our new skill coaches, it continues the reconstruction of the Saginaw Spirit program. Having the opportunity to meet both of these individuals this past season, it is easy to see why they have become the premier instructors and teachers of skill development in Michigan.”
Naurato, 31, brings a wealth of knowledge to the forefront including a familiarity with the state of Michigan. A Livonia, Michigan native, Naurato played his NCAA college hockey at the University of Michigan where he won a CCHA Championship in 2008. Naurato’s pro career spanned 180 games between Stockton (ECHL), Toledo (ECHL), Port Huron (IHL), Fort Wayne (CHL), and Dayton (CHL). Naurato is the Director of Hockey Operations in the Detroit branch of Total Package Hockey, which opened its doors in 2012.
Perkins, 29, grew up 90 minutes away from Saginaw in Commerce Township. The Detroit Compuware graduate played 130 junior games between the USHL, NAHL, and BCHL. Perkins also logged a lot of miles during his pro career, spanning five seasons. Perkins spent parts of three seasons in the ECHL with Cincinnati, Greenville, and Idaho. Parts of two seasons in Edinburgh (United Kingdom), a season in Demark, 10 games in Vimmerby, Sweden, and one season in the Central Hockey League with Missouri and Allen. Like head coach Spencer Carbery, Sean Perkins is also an ECHL Kelly Cup Champion, winning his with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2008.
“Brandon and Sean work tirelessly on their trade.” said Drinkill. “They are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to help players reach their highest potential. Our players should be very excited to work with TPH throughout the season. I want to officially welcome Brandon, Sean, and Total Package Hockey to the Spirit family, as we start a new era of Saginaw Spirit hockey.”
Total Package Hockey is one of the largest hockey service providers in the country, providing programs to over 4,000 players and supporting more than 200 coaches, administrators, and volunteers each year. They manage and support youth and adult hockey programs from Detroit to Atlanta. TPH specializes in skill-based player development from grassroots and outreach programs that introduce the game to elite programs with a track record of moving players to junior and college hockey.
“We are honored and excited to be a part of the Saginaw Spirit Staff.” said Naurato. “It is our goal to help support the coaching staff and ownership group to develop future professionals through on-ice development and off-ice mentoring. Thank you to Dick Garber, Craig Goslin, and Dave Drinkill for the opportunity and their innovative approach to player development.”
Spirit head coach Spencer Carbery also touted the talents of TPH: “Brandon and Sean will be extremely valuable additions to our hockey operations staff. They possess the ability to help our players develop their skills and continue to improve. This addition will not only be great for our current players, but for our future players as well.”
To find out more information on Total Package Hockey, visit their website at www.totalpackagehockey.com
TPH-Ricci Hockey Partner to Launch 7th Center of Excellence in Colorado
Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce that it will be bringing its hallmark Center of Excellence model to the thriving state of Colorado for the 2019-2020 school year. TPH will launch its seventh CoE in the south suburbs of Denver and will partner alongside Angelo Ricci, a name synonymous with player development and advancement in both the state of Colorado and beyond.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to partner with Angelo and his entire team,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said. “We met several years ago through the Tier I Elite League and his commitment to personal and athletic development with his players is how he has built one of the top programs in the country. He has strategically constructed and grown a performance-oriented club and the results have followed. He is extremely passionate about helping young people grow and consistently raising the standards for all involved in his programs. Colorado is an awesome hockey state and Denver is one of the healthiest metropolitan cities in all of the U.S. While excitement is high to bring a CoE to Denver, we are most looking forward to partnering with Angelo who serves as a positive role model for young aspiring student-athletes. His track record for developing next level hockey players, athletes and people speaks for itself.”
While TPH prides itself on its Study-Train-Play Center of Excellence model and what “it” can do for the aspiring elite student-athlete, Bowen says it is the leader, or “face” of the actual CoE that drives the model. In Ricci, TPH is teaming up with an individual who brings 20-plus years of true player development experience to the Denver area Center of Excellence. Angelo is the founder and head instructor for Ricci Hockey Consulting, a company he formed back in 1996. The Chicago native is also the Director of Hockey Operations for the prestigious Colorado Thunderbirds Hockey Club and has held leadership positions with the Arapahoe and Littleton Youth Hockey Associations.
Ricci is quick to point out that while he is excited about partnering with TPH to bring a Center of Excellence to an area he now calls home, TPH’s commitment to excellence in the areas of on and off-ice training, academic success and mentorship is what sold him on forming a partnership.
“The TPH mission is to exceed expectations of student-athletes, their families and all entities of the hockey world,” Ricci said. “That’s essentially what I have tried to do throughout my career. Being involved with this model is a perfect next step for me, and the model is a perfect next step for hockey in the Denver area. TPH’s methodical approach to the training of The Hockey Athlete, along with their academic partnership with Edmentum puts the needs of students-athletes first. Development is a delicate thing, especially in the classroom. TPH has the plan, and in the Denver area, I believe TPH now has the perfect place.”
While coaching in that “perfect place” Ricci references, the former University of Denver Pioneer has guided teams for 22 seasons, 16 of which have been at the Tier I level. To date, he has posted a Tier I coaching record of 803-192-53. Since 2005-2006, Ricci’s Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA squads have won 13 state championships and have made eight appearances in the National Tournament. His teams have finished no lower than 5th place at Nationals, and in 2009-2010, his group achieved a first-place finish.
In addition, Ricci’s leadership has led him to a successful coaching and on-ice instruction career at all levels. Since 2003, the 47-year-old has worked with numerous professional players as a skills coach. He has consulted and worked with big-name players such as Seth Jones, Caleb Jones, Nick Shore, Paul Stastny, Tyler Bozak, Drew Shore, Kyle Quincy, Gilbert Brule, Matt Donovan, Gustav Olofsson, Brandon Carlo, Scott Mayfield, Ben Holmstrom, Troy Terry, Dylan Gambrell, Dominic Turgeon and Jack Skille. For the past nine years, Ricci has been a skills consultant for the Assabet Valley Girls program, which has won 42 USA Hockey Tier I National Championships. Ricci was also the Head Skills Instructor at the NHL Fantasy Skills Camp during the NHL All-Star Games in Denver in 2001 and Los Angeles in 2002.
Since 2014, Angelo has been a part of the Buffalo Sabres organization, serving as a Skills Development Consultant for the NHL club. In addition, Ricci has worked directly with the Sabres’ prospects in the AHL, where he is a Skills Development Coach for the Rochester Americans.
In conjunction with his coaching, Angelo shares his passion, skill and knowledge as a USA Hockey Coaching Education Program presenter. He served as a USA Hockey District Festival Head Coach from 2004-2009 and has conducted multiple coaching seminars and clinics. In 2003, Ricci attained his certification with USA Hockey as a Master Level 5 Coach.
“History and track record are both proof that a partnership between TPH and Ricci Hockey will be successful,” Ricci added. “I am extremely proud of the number of players I have been able to work with who have advanced to the highest levels of hockey. TPH shares that same level of pride and passion. In five years, the CoE model alone has produced four NHL draft picks, 33 NCAA Division I commitments and has helped over 50 players reach the USHL and NAHL. The Denver CoE looks forward to putting our stamp on the growth of those very impressive numbers.”
TPH will be announcing more information in the coming weeks about its Denver Center of Excellence model, including location, open house dates and staffing. In the meantime, TPH invites all interested Denver Center of Excellence candidates to click here and visit the CoE webpage on totalpackagehockey.com, to learn more about the CoE model and the meaning of Study-Train-Play.
If you wish to receive updates on the Denver Center of Excellence, please click here and select “Colorado” for all the latest news and information on the CoE.
About Total Package Hockey: Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate and professional hockey. Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 280 have committed to the NCAA level – 189 of which are Division I. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NAHL. While TPH is proud of its student-athletes who have achieved success on-the ice, it is the process of developing young men and women as people, first and foremost, that our world-class team of coaches and mentors take the most amount of pride in. While it is our responsibility to prepare each individual for success on the ice, it is our mission to prepare each and every individual for success in the ultimate game – the game of life! To learn more about TPH, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com.
Michigan International Prep School Joins TPH-Edmentum Partnership
Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce that Michigan International Prep School (MIPS) will become its primary school partner for the state of Michigan, beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. Michigan International Prep School (MIPS) is accredited by the Michigan Department of Education and has earned NCAA accreditation for the student-athletes it serves. MIPS was founded by three proven, visionary leaders with an exemplary record of success in the field of blended education. Collectively, they have over 40 years of experience in virtual education. MIPS has serviced some families in the Detroit Center of Excellence for the past two years and will now become the primary school partner for TPH’s two Michigan-based Centers of Excellence in Bloomfield Township and Grand Rapids.
“We are delighted to work alongside MIPS and our academic platform provider and partner Edmentum to continue to create a unique, one-of-a-kind learning experience for our student-athletes,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said. “As we went through the process of evaluating potential school partners for next school year, we were most impressed by MIPS’ desire to go above and beyond in providing value to our student-athletes. They put the needs of students first and share in our mission of exceeding expectations of student-athletes and their families.”
TPH’s combined partnerships with Edmentum and MIPS will offer its student-athletes a fully individualized learning experience. Student-athletes will study virtually on a customized learning platform built for TPH by Edmentum. The teachers are primarily focused on servicing student-athletes across all Centers of Excellence and teach virtually via live lessons while interacting with student-athletes via phone, text, instant messaging and Zoom video conferencing. MIPS will add another layer to the learning experience for TPH’s Michigan-based student-athletes, by providing academic and technical support throughout the day and evening to accommodate the individual’s athletic demands. TPH will continue to provide on-site support within all of its Centers, completing the CoE learning experience.
“The educational team at MIPS is excited to have a new partnership with Total Package Hockey,” MIPS Superintendent Drew Hulbert said. “With our student-parent service model, the transition for TPH student athletes and their parents will be seamless. Our educational model and attention to detail in ensuring the success of our students ties in well with TPH’s training model in preparing future collegiate Division I students, hockey players and/or NHL players.”
Hulbert went on to state that like Edmentum, MIPS develops Educational Development Plans based on the individual student’s talents, interests, motivations, goals, schedules and needs. Nathan Bowen believes that the like-mindedness of MIPS and Edmentum will provide a learning experience unrivaled by any other hockey or sports academy across the country.
“TPH has always prided itself on building relationships and forming partnerships with people, groups and organizations who share our passion for positively impacting the lives of student-athletes,” Bowen said. “When we talk to our partners with Edmentum, we feel like we are talking to our new partners with MIPS, and when we communicate with MIPS, we hear the same values Edmentum expresses to us. TPH, Edmentum and MIPS all look forward to a long partnership governed by the principle of making the greatest possible positive impact on our student-athletes.”
MIPS Superintendent Drew Hulbert will be present at TPH’s upcoming informational open house at the Grand Rapids Center of Excellence on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 PM at Southside Ice Arena. Drew will be presenting in-depth on MIPS’ role in the Study component of the CoE motto of Study-Train-Play. In addition, Drew will be on-site at TPH’s Center of Excellence in Bloomfield Township on Monday, March 25 at 7:00 PM to lead a similar presentation for families of current and future CoE attendees.
- To RSVP for the Grand Rapids Open House on March 19, please click here.
- To learn more about Michigan International Prep School, please click here.
TPH-Summit Education Group Team Up in Colorado
TOTAL PACKAGE HOCKEY IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A PARTNERSHIP WITH SUMMIT EDUCATION GROUP.
Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce a partnership with Summit Education Group. Summit will serve as the academic arm for its seventh Center of Excellence at Family Sports Center in the Denver, CO area. TPH and Summit Education Group will work closely together on the Study component of TPH’s Study-Train-Play model to implement the CoE’s fully customized online learning platform, built by Edmentum, the official academic partner of Total Package Hockey.
“We feel extremely fortunate to be entering into an academic partnership with Summit Education Group,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said. “Summit will commit many valuable resources to enhance the learning experience at our Center of Excellence at Family Sports. They will take the rigorous and robust learning curriculum and platform that Edmentum has built for us in TPH and see that it is delivered to our student-athletes in a way that gives each and every individual the greatest possible opportunity to succeed academically. We view this partnership as central to the success of the CoE model in Colorado.”
Established in 2011, Summit is a Colorado-based Education Management Organization committed to ensuring all student learners have the best opportunity for success in life. Their mission is to empower the world to achieve greatness, one individual, one organization and one community at a time. Summit offers a unique educational model of blended learning, partnering with associations and organizations such as TPH, school districts, home-school communities, local philanthropic institutions, charter and private schools and businesses. Summit presently serves the needs of approximately 2,000 students. They are an AdvancedED accredited Middle/High School with students ranging from grades 6 to 12.
Student-athletes and their families who are interested in learning more about the TPH-Summit partnership are invited to attend tonight’s Open House, which will take place at 7 PM, on-site at Family Sports Center, the home of the TPH-Colorado CoE. To RSVP for tonight’s event, please click here.
To learn more about the Colorado Center of Excellence and to apply for the 2019-2020 school year, click here.
Space will be limited for the 2019-2020 school year. To apply for the Center of Excellence, which is the first step in the registration process, please click here.
Family Sports Center to House Colorado CoE
Total Package Hockey is pleased to announce that it’s seventh Center of Excellence will be housed inside Family Sports Center in Centennial, CO, a south suburb of Denver. The two-ice sheet, multi-purpose facility offers many amenities to its visitors and is also the training facility of the Colorado Avalanche.
“Partnering with Family Sports is a great avenue for us as we strive to do things The TPH Way at our Colorado Center of Excellence,” TPH-Colorado Partner Angelo Ricci said. “We love the quality of the venue, love the location and believe in the programs Family Sports runs to appeal to hockey players of all ages and abilities. Above all, what we are most excited about is the commitment the leadership of the facility and South Suburban Parks and Recreation is making to the CoE model. They want to see the CoE concept succeed in the Denver area and today is proof of that.”
In addition to providing student-athletes the opportunity to skate on the same ice as the NHL’s Avs, Family Sports will provide classroom space which will enable TPH to create the customized learning experience it promotes in the CoE model. Student-athletes will perform a portion of their off-ice training across the parking lot in the 45,000 square foot South Suburban Sports Dome and will have the opportunity to pick from a customized, TPH athlete-friendly lunch menu inside Avalanche Grill. The landscape of Family Sports Center will allow TPH to create a mini-campus within its new Centennial home.
“Total Package Hockey’s vision aligns with South Suburban’s culture of providing quality experiences to our community,” said Family Sports General Manager Bill Dobbs. “We feel fortunate to be the home of such a high-caliber program.
Family Sports Assistant General Manager and Director of Travel Hockey Randy Murphy echoed Dobbs’ sentiment.
“We are excited to partner with Total Package Hockey and the Center of Excellence,” Murphy said. “The nationally recognized program will provide unique opportunities for our local community and athletes who are committed to success on and off the ice.”
Prospective student-athletes and their families are invited to join Ricci and the TPH leadership team for its second open house, and first from its new home inside Family Sports Center, on Monday, April 29 at 7:00 PM. To RSVP for the event, please click here.
Space will be limited for the inaugural 2019-2020 school year, so interested student-athletes and their families are encouraged to apply to the Center of Excellence by clicking here. Doing so will allow the prospect to secure the opportunity to be part of the Study – Train – Play experience in Centennial this fall.
Edmentum and Total Package Hockey Partner to Support Student-Athlete Success
Total Package Hockey student-athletes who studied through EdOptions Academy achieved a 100% graduation rate over past two years
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Edmentum, a global education leader and a pioneer in online teaching and learning solutions, has announced a partnership with Total Package Hockey (TPH), the leading hockey service provider in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through hockey. This innovative partnership brings together TPH’s commitment to the academic success of student-athletes and Edmentum’s extensive history in digital curriculum, adaptive assessments, and educational consulting. This unique blend of core instruction and mentoring is designed to facilitate a positive, individualized approach to learning.
Total Package Hockey will use Edmentum’s EdOptions Academy to drive forward academic support of student-athletes within TPH Centers of Excellence. Edmentum’s EdOptions Academy is fully accredited through AdvancEd®. Highly qualified, state-certified teachers experienced in online instruction deliver research-based curricula through a wholly virtual environment. TPH Centers of Excellence are focused environments where dedicated student-athletes train with innovative hockey training methods, play to their fullest potential, and study through blending online learning with EdOptions Academy.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the tremendous team at Total Package Hockey,” said Ryan Hagedorn, Edmentum’s chief operating officer. “We know that every student’s learning journey is different, and we are committed to providing high-quality curriculum and instruction that is flexible enough to meet each of student’s unique needs. We are honored to be a part of TPH’s innovative and engaging program for student-athletes.”
Student-athletes are offered a one-of-a-kind, personalized experience that affords the flexibility to succeed in a blended learning environment. Regularly scheduled live lessons, weekly goal setting, tutoring sessions, and virtual office hours all work together to ensure that students feel supported and engaged every step of the way. Students are presented with a wide range of core, college preparatory, and Advanced Placement® courses, all of which are NCAA® approved. Additionally, students have easy access to a dedicated guidance counselor during their academic journey, ensuring compliance with NCAA Eligibility Center requirements.
“This unique and powerful partnership combines proven, accredited online learning with hands-on, state-of-the-art training and instruction,” said Nathan Bowen, Total Package Hockey chief executive officer. “We are tremendously proud of our Centers of Excellence, our team, and the success experienced through our work with Edmentum.”
In just six years, four Center of Excellence alumni have been drafted to the National Hockey League (NHL), and 35 have made NCAA commitments. What’s more, over the last two years, TPH student-athletes who studied through EdOptions Academy achieved a 100-percent graduation rate, while the Center of Excellence model has helped produce student-athletes committed to or currently attending 18 universities listed in U.S. News’ Best National Universities.
About Edmentum
Edmentum, Inc., is committed to making it easier for educators to individualize learning for every student through simple technology, high-quality content, and actionable data. Founded in innovation, Edmentum’s powerful learning programs blend technology with individual teaching approaches. Edmentum is committed to being educators’ most trusted partner in creating successful student outcomes everywhere learning occurs. Edmentum solutions currently support educators and students in more than 40,000 schools nationwide. For more information, visit edmentum.com.
About Total Package Hockey
Founded in 2001, it is TPH’s vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey. Through academics, mentorship, and athletics, TPH prides itself on operating at a standard that exceeds expectations of student-athletes, families, coaches, advisors, and all other entities of the hockey world. With platforms that include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics, and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, Total Package Hockey has assisted in the academic, athletic and hockey development of over 600 players who have advanced to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. For more information, visit www.totalpackagehockey.com/.
Total Package Hockey and TPH are trademarks of Innovative V LLC.
AdvancED is a trademark of Advance Education, Inc.
Advanced Placement is a trademark of the College Board.
NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Edmentum and EdOptions Academy are trademarks of Edmentum, Inc.
Galaxy Next Generation
Total Package Hockey is proud to announce we are bringing the interactive learning technology solutions from Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. to 5 of its out hallmark Center of Excellence academies.
Gary LeCroy, Galaxy’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are excited to have been selected by Total Package Hockey as this represents a growth opportunity for us outside of our typical K-12 education sector and demonstrates the need for interactive learning tools in all areas of learning. Total Package Hockey is always seeking the best solutions on and off the ice for its student-athletes and we are pleased to be working with them.”
Galaxy Next Generation is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy’s products include Galaxy’s own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices.
TPH Announces Partnership with adidas
Decatur, Ala. (August 13 2019) – Total Package Hockey (TPH) today announced a multi-year partnership with adidas, in which the Portland, Ore. based company will serve as the official apparel provider for all of TPH, which includes 11 markets, 7 Centers of Excellence and 4 hockey associations.
“We are excited to announce a partnership with adidas,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said. “adidas will produce quality uniforms and apparel for TPH and ensure that our student-athletes are training in the best athletic performance wear. We are grateful to our friend and partner Dave Moss for the opportunity to join the adidas family.”
“We believe that through sports we have the power to change lives and Total Package Hockey’s vision to positively impact the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey aligns with our brand values,” said Dan Near, Sr. Director of adidas Hockey. “We are obsessed with making a difference in athletes’ games, lives and worlds. This partnership with TPH is a tremendous opportunity for adidas to enable the next generation of elite hockey athletes to play the game they love and prepare them for success at the next level – both on and off the ice.”
Aligning with adidas gives TPH’s elite young athletes access to many of the same adidas on and off-ice products issued to world’s best players in the National Hockey League (NHL). Additionally, the adidas logo will be linked with TPH, as TPH’s Nashville Jr. Predators and Tri-State Spartans hockey programs will don adidas apparel, and adidas will brand all uniforms worn across TPH’s Centers of Excellence.
Everyone at TPH joins Nathan Bowen in officially welcoming adidas to the TPH Family.
Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram via @adidasHockey, #teamadidas. For more information about adidas visit their website at www.adidas.com.
About adidas Hockey
adidas is a global designer and developer of athletic and lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the best sports brand in the world. As an innovation and design leader, adidas engineers the best in high-performance products to make athletes better, faster and stronger and creates a range of classic and fresh lifestyle and high-fashion lines.
adidas is the official uniform, footwear and apparel provider for more than 100 collegiate programs and creates hockey uniforms for Arizona State, Denver, Holy Cross, Massachusetts, Miami of Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart University.
adidas is the official authentic outfitter of on-ice uniforms and official supplier of licensed apparel and headwear for the National Hockey League (NHL®). The adidas adizero Authentic NHL jersey is the official on-ice jersey for all 31 NHL teams. At the forefront of innovation, design and craftsmanship, the adidas adizero Authentic NHL jersey takes the hockey uniform system to the next level by redefining fit, feel and lightweight construction.
adidas Hockey’s NHL roster includes 3-time Stanley Cup® Champion (2009, 2016, 2017), 2-time Conn Smythe Trophy (2016, 2017), 3-time Ted Lindsay Award winner (2007, 2013, 2014), 8-time All-Star (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019) and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2010, 2014), Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins; 2-time Art Ross Trophy (2017, 2018), 2-time Ted Lindsay Award (2017, 2018), Hart Memorial Trophy winner (2017) and 3-time All-Star (2017, 2018, 2019), Connor McDavid of Edmonton Oilers; Stanley Cup® Champion (2011) and 5-time All-Star (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars; Stanley Cup® Champion (2011), 4-time Selke Award winner (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017) and 2-time All-Star (2015, 2016), Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins; Norris Trophy winner (2013), Olympic Gold Medalist (2014) and 3-time All-Star (2013, 2015, 2018), P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators; Norris Trophy (2014), NHL Foundation Player Award winner (2015) and 6-time All-Star (2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks; 3-time All-Star (2018, 2018, 2019) Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning; 2018 Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) winner and All-Star (2019), Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders; 2017-18 NHL All-Star Game Tournament MVP and 2017-18 Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) finalist, Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks; Olympic Gold Medalist (2018) and Team Captain Brianna Decker and Olympic Gold Medalist (2018) Kendall Coyne Schofield of the United States Women’s National Ice Hockey Team; Olympic Gold Medalist (2010, 2014) Rebecca Johnston and Olympic Silver Medalist (2018) Renata Fast of the Canada Women’s National Ice Hockey Team.
TPH Colorado Partner Angelo Ricci Positively Impacting the Philadelphia Flyers
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Flyers quietly hired a skills coach, Angelo Ricci, in September, and they hope he can help the players improve in various areas – shooting, stickhandling, skating, winning more puck battles, to name a handful – and that it will lead to more victories.
Hey, when you haven’t won a playoff series since 2012, it’s worth a try.
When the Flyers are home, Ricci gives the players individual instruction before or after practices held in Voorhees. The players can ask him to work on specific areas they feel need upgrading, or he can make suggestions based on what he has seen.
When the team is on the road, Ricci does the same routine with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate.
Ricci was hired by the Flyers after new coach Alain Vigneault suggested to general manager Chuck Fletcher that a skills coach would make the team better. Vigneault had one when he coached Vancouver and the New York Rangers. Fletcher agreed with the idea, and Ricci, who held a similar role with the Buffalo Sabres, was hired as a full-time coach.
“Players always loved it, so when I came here, I thought it was the right thing to do,” Vigneault said the other day. “Players love working on different skills you need throughout the game, not just the shooting and the passing, but sometimes the quick turns and taking pucks to the net. Shooting on the fly.”
Vigneault said he got “feedback from people who knew Angelo. I got a report from [Avalanche GM] Joe Sakic, who spoke very highly of him” from their days together with the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA team, “made the contacts, talked to him a couple times, and met him down at the draft, and we got him signed and brought him aboard.”
James van Riemsdyk had a skills coach during his years with the Maple Leafs.
“It’s a really nice resource to have,” the Flyers’ 30-year-old left winger said. “It’s nice to have it in-season, too. We had it more in the offseason in Toronto.”
MAXIMIZING PRACTICE TIME
Practices aren’t as frequent these days because, with rugged schedules, there’s a strong belief that teams should get lots of recovery time after games, keeping them fresher and more effective.
When you do have practices, “you want to maximize your time on the ice and work on your skills,” van Riemsdyk said. “You want to keep feeling comfortable with puck touches and things like that. He’s an awesome guy and he’s super receptive to work on pretty much whatever you want to work on. I work on collecting pucks off the wall and just being more comfortable carrying the puck in different situations in the offensive zone. He has different drills for that.”
The Flyers have many areas that can be improved, including getting off more shots. They were 21st out of 31 teams in shot attempts while playing five-on-five last season, though their accuracy was a solid 11th in the league (an 8.3 percent success rate).
Defenseman Ivan Provorov has worked primarily on stickhandling and shooting drills with Ricci.
“Sometimes, you want to shoot a little more, and you stay after practice and work on that, shooting through screens and stuff like that,” said Provorov, who scored the Flyers’ first goal at the Wells Fargo Center this season as Oskar Lindblom set a screen in front.
It will be interesting to see if Ricci’s stickhandling drills, along with drills that give the players quicker sticks on defense, produce results. The Flyers were 18th in the NHL in giveaways last season, and they were only 29th in takeaways.
Attention to such details can help prevent a team from falling behind early. The Flyers had just a .222 winning percentage (24th in the NHL) when trailing after the opening period last season.
Most of the Flyers talked about Ricci’s infectious enthusiasm and how they like to be around him while learning.
“You have to be an upbeat, positive guy when you’re doing skill work with the guys and making sure everyone is feeling confident, and he does a good job with that and keeping everyone smiling,” said right winger Travis Konecny, who has done extra sessions with Ricci to work on shooting off the rush. “His drills are great. They’re the type of drills that don’t tire you out, so you can get a lot of reps in. He’s been great so far.”
“He’s got high energy and what he does can only add to the toolbox for the organization,” center Scott Laughton said.
The Flyers wouldn’t make Ricci available for an interview, but his pinned tweet on his Twitter account gave a hint of his personality.
“It takes one moment to change your course of direction, one decision that makes you step up to the greatness you deserve, and only one LIFE to make it happen” go after everything you want in this life with everything you have!!!
— Angelo Ricci (@AngeloRicci16) April 11, 2018
Tweeted Ricci, who has been the director of hockey operations for the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA Hockey Association since 2005: “It takes one moment to change your course of direction, one decision that makes you step up to the greatness you deserve, and only one LIFE to make it happen. Go after everything you want in this life with everything you have!!!”