By: Justin Bradford

Tuesday saw the first day of competition on the ice at the Elite Edge Hockey Showcase. Teams took the ice on both sheets. Players set out to show off their skills, and coaches stood behind the benches and watched from the stands to prepare feedback. It's something that no one is taking for granted right now.

It was a long pause without hockey, but the NHL is set to return with exhibition games already taking place in Toronto and Edmonton. And now, youth hockey is finding its way back in a safe way. This isn't lost on the coaches and the players.

"It's definitely been great," said JP Dumont, a former Nashvile Predators winger and current Player Development Coach with Total Package Hockey. "Looking back a few weeks, we didn't think hockey would get back on the ice. If everyone can just stay safe and do what you're supposed to, youth hockey can definitely be playing now. Ford Ice Center Bellevue is doing an unbelievable job to keep everyone safe."

Brentwood hockey standout Kal Essenmacher, who had a multi-goal first game on Tuesday, is just soaking everything in right now.

"I'm just excited for so much," said Essenmacher. "You know you get to come out to this camp and it's great. I love it. You have a lot of great pros as coaches and you get a lot of good experience."

Speaking of pros, former Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher made an appearance as a guest speaker at camp on Tuesday. This is one of the many things that can be added to the list of what makes the Elite Edge showcase something special.

"Mike Fisher came earlier today," said Essenmacher. "One big thing is that he emphasizes working hard. You just have to go out there, be nice to your teammates and have good self esteem."

So many of the experiences Essenmacher is taking in this week are things that he will share with his teammates to help make everyone better. Not only is Essenmacher a member of the Brentwood High School hockey team, but he also plays for the Nashville Predators 16U AA team in the NAPHL. Needless to say, there are a lot of familiar faces this week for him.

"It's great to see some other kids that I already know," said Essenmacher. "I get to catch up with them, see how they're doing and work hard with and against them. It's a great experience with them."

 Essenmacher, who was born in Brentwood, TN, is part of that surge of homegrown talent we're seeing in Nashville and the southeast. Growth is happening, and it's being recognized by everyone in the hockey world.

"It's growing," said JP Dumont on the talent level of southern players. "It's like anything else, there are more kids playing, and that's great. What's the difference now? It's the commitment level from the kids. It's a big commitment to learn how to skate and be strong on your feet if you really want to compete at a high level of hockey. We have so many kids that are doing that now and it's great."

While the showcase continues to attract phenomenal talent from around the south and more, that talent is not just limited to the players on the ice. The coaches recognize that they're learning as well. It's a win-win for everyone.

"For me, a weekend like this is to try and learn a little bit about the players," said Dumont. "You try to pick up a few things to help you become a better coach. We talk about players try to get better, it's the same thing with coaching. You try to pick up new drills, pick up a few things to improve. There's always room for improvement."

Coaches learn. Players learn. Everyone improves. That's the story of the week: growth.