Registration is now open for a week-long camp aimed at hockey players serious about improving their game for next season.
The Castlegar High Performance Hockey Conditioning Camp offers multiple components for players, including nutrition and dryland training.
Now in its fourth year, camp founder Grant Pilla said the three-week evening program was condensed this year due to the BC Seniors Games and ice availability.
“The change results in more ice and dryland sessions per group and less time commitment for those that register,” Pilla said. “Thus far the camp has proven to be highly successful mainly due to the quality and availability of local coaches and trainers, such as Benton Hadley, Dave Terhune, John Ritchie and others who were willing to offer their time and expertise to help run the camp.”
Coaches for the camp are Castlegar Rebels’ coach Steve Junker, assistant coach Darcy Martini as well as Pilla, who coaches with Castlegar Minor Hockey.
“Darcy and John have been with the camp from the beginning,” Pilla said. “I'm excited at having Steve and Darren on board as their combined experience and professionalism in their respective fields of sport will add further to what we have to offer the players who wish to take part in the program.”
Players will be separated into Atom, Pee Wee and Bantam/Midget with a maximum of 25 players in each category.
“This is a conditioning camp, not an instructional camp, although there will always be constructive feedback on poor execution or skating,” Pilla said. “We are targeting players who wish to get their legs and timing before trying out for their respective rep teams early in September but all players who are not afraid of some hard work and exercise are welcome.”
In fact, Pilla recommends players begin to put in the hard work prior to the camp.
“What we want to do is offer these players information on what kind of diet, training, work ethic and commitment is required to not only reach but sustain their goals,” he said. “My advice to players wanting to participate in this camp is stay active throughout the summer and maintain some level of fitness or I will guarantee you will hurt by the end of the week.”
A typical day for the camp will consist of two and a half hours of ice time (split between the morning and afternoon), an hour of dryland, an hour and a half for lunch and on Friday there will be a wrap-up game.
The cost for the camp is $200. Applications and more information can be found at highperformancetraining.ca.