The 2016 edition of the Western Regional High Performance Camp is officially underway as players and parents representing a total of 17 states descended on Colorado Springs to begin a week of fun, learning, and development.
 | THE ARRIVALBeginning just past noon, players (and parents) began to trickle in to Colorado College's Loomis Hall, the home for all WRHP campers during this week in Colorado Springs. There, players received this year's signature "swag" which included their respective team's corresponding jersey and socks, athletic shorts, a WRHPC shirt, and of course their room assignments. |
After that, the most important part of all... settling in. Upon receiving room assignments, players then headed to their dorms to either greet or eagerly await the arrival of their roommate(s). A majority of the campers this year will be in "double" rooms with one other roommate, with the remainder occupying "triple" rooms with two other roommates. Perhaps the most unique aspect of this already unique camp is the living experience at Colorado College. In essence, players are getting their first real taste of what life is like as a D1 hockey player, experiencing various aspects of student life (dormitories, communal areas, dining halls, etc.) while also achieving athletic success, a balancing act that isn't always easy.
SETTING THE TONEFollowing check-in, players and parents congregated in Armstrong Hall for the camp's welcome meeting, a chance for the coaches and staff to set the tone for what type of performance and personal conduct is expected throughout the week in Colorado Springs. Among the speakers were camp ADM Regional Manager Joe Bonnett, IRGPT's Jordan James, and Dr. Allison Nicklen of Revolution Rehabilitation. |  |
After a quick initial statement made by WRHP Camp Co-Director Bruce Urban in regards to the camp's rules and expectations, James took the stage to emphasize the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. Jordan challenged the campers to evaluate what it truly means to be an athlete, preaching that diet and conditioning are the building blocks for a successful athlete. Dr. Allison Nicklin then followed and further built upon James' previous statements by reminding the campers that hydration and nutrition, particularly when training at high altitude, is absolutely vital to ensuring that players don't just survive but thrive in a high-intensity environment.
 WRHP Camp Co-Director Bruce Urban |  Dr. Allison Nicklin |  WRHP Camp Co-Director Flint Doungchak |
After the importance of a healthy lifestyle was hammered home to the WRHP Camp's players, ADM Regional Manager Joe Bonnett turned the focus towards USA Hockey and the American Development Model. In particular, Bonnett aimed his focus at the idea of development and how every player's development path is different, particularly at this current age group (13-14 year olds). Blending together a few select videos and some eye-popping statistics Bonnett revealed the truth to players regarding the ups and downs that come with physical maturation and how that effects a player's personal development path.
Wrapping up the evening's welcome speech, WRHP Camp Co-Director and Pacific District Coach-in-Chief Flint Doungchak took the stage for a short, succinct statement to the kids offering wise words for them to reflect upon.
Wrapping up the evening's welcome speech, WRHP Camp Co-Director and Pacific District Coach-in-Chief Flint Doungchak took the stage for a short, succinct statement to the kids offering wise words for them to reflect upon.
TOMORROW'S AGENDA
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