Hockey Weekend at FHCI
Championship game at Amalie Arena.
Team USA defeang Team anada in the championship of 4
Naons up capped o a uniue weekend of girls hockey
in the Tampa ay area. Florida Hospital enter ce hosted
a complete set of acvies for girls teams from North arolina,
Nashville and the Wesley hapel host. Much more than a tournament,
with the support of USA Hockey, the players and coaches
from these teams eperienced a combinaon of on-ice and
o-ice skills development, educaonal sessions, and interacon
with players from Team USA.
USA Hockey provided player development content including
sessions on nutrion by arrie Aprik, Team USA’s Sports Die-
cian. All teams were provided a special on-ice pracce designed
by Emily West, Manager of ADM for Female Hockey to benet
coaches and players. Addional classroom sessions on hockey
opportunies for the female athletes and understanding player
development were craed by irls Player Development Manager
risten Wright. Team USA forward endall oyne lead a ueson
and answer session giving the players the insight of what it takes
to be an elite athlete. Lastly, an o-ice skills session designed by
Team USA Associate Head oach re Strot showed players how
they can build sck handling and shoong strength on their own
me o the ice.
At Wesley hapel’s Florida Hospital enter ce, players
watched games from 4 Naons up including a classroom assignment
during the game featuring Team anada vs Team Finland.
Several players parcipated in game fesvies during the Team
USA game against Team Sweden, as well as observing a Team
USA pracce. onnor Lyons, the strength and condioning director
at Florida Hospital enter ce provided physical strength
and recovery strategies. Many players took advantage of an autograph
session with several Team USA players.
y the way, there were some hockey games played at FH
by the si teams parcipang. Two of those teams Team arolina
14U and Tampa ay runch 16U raised the championship
banners signed by all of Team USA’s players.
More than just a tournament, 4 Aliates up Weekend,
supported by SAHF and the other aliates in the Southeastern
District, will be remembered as a uniue eperience for girls
from these programs. Doing so in such close proimity to players,
coaches and sta from Team USA was an added bonus
JEFF NOVOTNY
SAHF Director and Member of irlsWomen’s ommiee