Say it ain't so... The final (full) day of camp has come and gone, and it was perhaps the most power-packed yet. 

IRG's Jordan James, who has already made a clear and remarkable impression this week, capped off the camp's array of seminars with an hour-long talk centering around training, conditioning, and proper nutrition. Already somewhat of a celebrity amongst the WRHPC players, James' rare ability to make the idea of working out fun and enjoyable resonated with both players and staff members alike, and today was no exception.

Perhaps the best example of James' celebrity status at the WRHPC was the standing ovation he received from players and staff during the evening's campus-wide closing meeting, far and away the largest response of the evening. How often can you say that a strength and conditioning coach would receive a response like that?!

In a week full of awe-struck moments for WRHP campers, nothing may have topped today's visit to USA Hockey Headquarters and Broadmoor World Arena, home of the Colorado College men's hockey team. As teams toured through the USA Hockey offices, players were welcomed (once again) by Lou Vairo while getting a glimpse at the hardware that USA Hockey has racked up throughout it's illustrious history. As you can see below, players that passed through those offices quickly began envisioning winning some hardware of their own for USA Hockey someday. 

After a tour through the USA Hockey offices, the boys were welcomed by R.J. Enga, Assistant Coach of the Colorado College men's hockey team, and Chris Kawano, Director of Hockey Operations and Video Coordinator for CC. Players were given a first-hand taste of what D1 college hockey looks like as they walked through the arena, locker room, and equipment storage facilities (which were expansive, to say the least). Capping it all off was a surprise visit and talk with Mike Haviland, Head Coach of the Colorado College men's hockey team. Sporting his Stanley Cup championship ring that he won as an Assistant Coach with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, Haviland graciously lent nearly half and hour of his time to preach about the greatness of college hockey while also fielding an array of questions from players eager to learn more about what it takes to perform at such a high athletic and academic level. 

During practices throughout the week, USA Hockey Hall of Famer Lou Vairo made a few impromptu appearances at camp to talk with and support the 200+ players in attendance. As always, everyone within earshot was hanging on every word from Vairo as he instilled a great sense of national and regional pride within players that have often been told they come from "nontraditional" markets. 

Can you believe that we are already past the midway point of camp?! Four days of fun, learning and development are in the rear view mirror with only two days left ahead of us. Let's take a look back at Tuesday's events and action, another busy day from sunrise to sunset (and beyond) that included more practices, games, seminars, and conditioning sessions.

After Monday's seminar that highlighted college hockey and the USHL, today's talk completed the circle by covering Tier II and Tier II Junior Hockey, Midget hockey, and prep school hockey. WRHP Camp Co-Director Flint Doungchak led the conversation before handing the microphone over to a panel that included Jason Power representing the NAHL, Shawn Kurulak of the Colorado Rampage, Mike Payne of Fountain Valley School, and Steve Palmer of Culver Academy. 

Meanwhile, the strength and conditioning sessions with IRG's Jordan James continued today, this time with Teams Grey and Orange. Above, take a more in-depth look inside some of the specific workouts and routines that teams go through during their hour-long session with James. 

Today's tip comes courtesy of the boys of Team Black as . The team is divided into two groups, and players from each group must stand on a curb shoulder-to-shoulder. The objective is to shift each player's position along the curb ultimately ending up in reverse order. For example, players must line up in a specific order, then reverse that order so each player ends up in the exact opposite position that they started. The catch is that players cannot step off of the curb at any point OR use their hands to support themselves on the ground. Like most of the WRHP Camp's team building activities, the primary key is communication. 

Breakfast
- Cage Free Scrambled Eggs
- Cheese Scramble
- Pork Sausage
- Applewood Smoked Bacon
- Home Fries
- French Toast
- Grilled Vegetables & Rice
- Waffle Bar
- Oatmeal
- Grits

Lunch
- Sloppy Joes
- Baked Tater Tots
- Hand Tossed Pizza
- Pasta Bar
- Teriyaki Tofu
- House Made Salads
- Deli Sandwiches
- Beer & Mushroom Three Bean Soup
- Coconut & Lentil Soup
- Salad Bar

Dinner
- Tacos
- Beef Enchiladas
- Southwest Taco Tempeh
- Pork Pozole
- Pasta Bar
- Hand Tossed Pizza
- Salad Bar

Find the daily Rastall Cafe Menu here. 

-- Morning Practices

- Visit to USA Hockey Headquarters and Broadmoor World Arena

- Strength & Conditioning Seminar

- Games

​- Camp Wide Closing Meeting

Day three of camp saw the intensity pick up a notch as players began to feel more acclimated not only with their coaches, teammates, and surroundings, but (perhaps more importantly) the altitude as well. With friendships already being forged and chemistry clearly developing on the ice, the table was set for a fantastic second round of practices and games.

Once again, there was perhaps more activity off of the ice than there was on the ice as the players enjoyed a full slate of activities and learning opportunities, beginning with an academic advising session led by Fountain Valley School's Avery McGlenn. A former hockey player at Colgate University, McGlenn offered a unique and eye-opening perspective that prompted a wave of questions from both players and parents in attendance. 

Meanwhile, the boys also soaked in plenty of sunshine thanks to IRGPT's Jordan James as off-ice strength and conditioning began this morning, starting with Teams Black and Gold. In the hour-long training session, James introduced players to a number of cardiovascular workout routines, many of which included a competitive aspect, best illustrated by the final workout of the day, a chase routine that tested players reactions and patience. 

Successful teams are often founded on one simple principle: communication. Teams that can work together off the ice often see the same results translate to on the ice. Enter, team leader Erik Waite of Team White. In perhaps one of the most "interesting" team building events so far this week, Waite's players were challenged to navigate an obstacle course, with the catch being that they were blindfolded and must rely on the words and directions of their teammates to reach the finish line safely. Quite simply, you have to see this for yourself. 

Remember yesterday's Team Building Tip of the Day in which Team Grey attempted to conquer the team- push-up? Well, if at first you don't succeed, try-try again! 

- Goaltending Practice

- Full Team Practice

- Strength & Conditioning Sessions

- Opportunities in Hockey Seminar

​- Games

The first full day of camp brought plenty of action from beginning to end, as the day's schedule included morning practices, afternoon games, a combined USHL and College Hockey Inc. seminar, no shortage of team building activities, and even an impromptu watch party for Game Seven of the NBA Finals. 

In the middle of a power-packed day on the ice, players took some important time off the ice to learn about hockey options for their future. For just over an hour, WRHPC players lent their ears to Brent Darnell of College Hockey Inc. and Doug Christiansen, USHL Director of Player Development. Over the hour-long seminar, which included an extensive Q&A session, players were presented with the facts regarding the USHL and D1 college hockey. In the end, it was the players who were fueling the conversation as questions for Brent and Doug continued to roll in all throughout the evening. To learn more, follow visit CollegeHockeyInc.com and learn more about becoming a player in the USHL. 

Today's Team Building Tip of the Day comes courtesy of Team Leader Lester Sparks the boys of Team Columbia Blue. With no shortage of team building activities up his sleeve, Sparks turned to an old favorite with his boys today: 

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. 

​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. 

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. 

​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.

​With the 2016 USA Hockey Western Regional High Performance camp kicking off this weekend, it's time to get ready for a power-packed weekend of hockey featuring some of the nation's best young players West of the Mississippi River. What can you expect from this year's camp? First, let's give you the basics:

Who: Over 200 of the best hockey players born in the year 2002 representing the Northern Plains (MT, ND, SD, WY), Pacific (AK, CA, HW, NV, OR, WA) and Rocky Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, NM, OK, TX, UT) Districts.
 
Where: Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado 

When: June 18 - 23, 2016

Overseen by Bruce Urban and Flint Doungchak, the WRHP Camp now enters its fifth year of operation with a experienced and hockey-hungry staff that includes USA Hockey, college, junior and prep school coaches. Throughout the week, players will be immersed in a fun and engaging atmosphere that emphasizes a dedication to development. 

​​Each full day at the Western Regional High Performance Camp will include American Development Model inspired practices, games, and seminars covering such topics as academics, strength and conditioning, and opportunities in hockey. Teams will take part in every breakfast, lunch and dinner together as a unit while dining at Colorado College's Rastall Dining Hall with a comprehensive menu offered every day. 

When they aren't hitting the ice or filling their bellies, players will reside in Colorado College's Loomis Hall, where each players will share a room with one or two players and teams as a whole will be grouped in adjacent dormitories. 

On the final day of camp, teams will be seeded based on their win-loss record accumulated throughout the week, culminating in one final slate of games that will conclude with a "championship" game featuring the teams with the two best records.  

​In the end, the goal of the Western Regional High Performance Camp is to create, with partner Districts, an environment that closely resembles the previous 14 National Player Development Camp in order to prepare players for a similar experience at the 15 National camps and other elite performance opportunities, perhaps best evidenced by WRHP Camp alums Joey Cassetti and Max Gildon of the U.S. National Team Development Program. 

Follow along throughout the week by following the Western Regional High Performance Camp on Facebook and Twitter, and stay up to day on the day's events by checking the daily schedule (subject to change).