2014 Team Photo
The 2014 National Development Camp (NDC): GDI EAST was an incredible experience for everyone involved! The 3rd annual six day event was highlighted by our incredible facility, Quinnipiac University’s TD Bank Sports Center. The 185,000 square-foot venue seats 3,286 for Ice Hockey and is the centerpiece of the University’s $360 million project to develop its 250-acre York Hill campus and we have the run of the building. The ECAC men’s team has become a powerhouse over the past few years including a trip to the 2013 NCAA Championship Game.
Our elite staff of 15 included QU Head Coach Rand Pecknold who attended many of our drill sessions to observe and note our 50 goaltenders in attendance. The team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach, Brijesh Patel is utilized each day to put our goalies through the exact workouts that his college team experiences. “Coach B” is a favorite amongst our kids and a yearly staple at the camp. Our professional Yoga Instructor and other QU Hockey Opps staff round out the group of invaluable assistants that make our event one of a kind. Our philosophy comes to life however through the direction of our on ice staff of coaches. The 10 men brought in to deliver drills, content, concepts, experience, and expertise, all combine for the most unique teaching environment around. Collectively developing a curriculum designed as framework to combat the most modern scoring threats and what we feel are the five ways goals go in, goalies were treated to mentally and physically challenging environments that only pushed their game’s further. We believe that all goaltenders should be coached like professionals, and we know that each goalie is unique. Every goaltender experiences countless inputs to their games throughout their careers and we aim at helping to educate and shape each one’s approach to the position. 60 goalies in the NHL doing 60 different things is proof enough that we all need to play with what works for each one of us. Our concept of “Build Your Plan” became our theme for the week, using the individual coach to help the individual goaltender. With a collection of coaches from the ECHL, D1, OHL, USHL, NAHL, USPHL, EHL levels and even including players from the professional level assisting, this one of a kind staff offered a wealth of knowledge to our students.
GDI EAST is built on 3 primary purposes:
1. To enhance our students’ developmental approach.
2. To enhance our students’ career opportunities.
3. To progress the position of goaltending through synergy and exploration.
13 US states were represented by the 50 bantam, midget, junior, and college goalies in attendance. The coaches involved represented over 15 different programs and an additional slew of recruiters attending throughout the week to evaluate and assess the talent on the ice. Each attendee was sure to make new friends, have exposure to high level development and exposure, and took home the foundation of an individual action plan that they can now build off of and enhance through the course of the ensuing season.
GDI Southeast would like to thank everyone for being a part of this GDI EAST event. From the attending students, the incredible staff, the QU rink and hotel management, our D1 shooters including QU and Sacred Heart University players, our partners: Brian’s Custom Goal, Under Armour, Goalies Plus, InGoal Magazine, and the parents who support their sons dreams, thank you for making the 2014 event the best to date.
We will now look to plan our 2015 event and wish to also announce the launch of the NDC: GDI WEST, stay tuned for news and information in the coming weeks.
Media can now be found on this site, including the below links: