By Jack Woods

A significant number of players returned to this year’s showcase after missing last year’s, along with a few newcomers. But many of these players come for different reasons, whether those reasons include development, exposure, or a combination of both. Each of them has their own story to tell, but they all have Elite Edge in common now.

Dominic Delgrosso, a South Shore Kings product and Massachusetts native, had a lot of positive things to say about his experience at the camp. “I love the experience I’ve had here. It’s my first year here. I like the seminars, they have a lot of information about different leagues that I was looking for.”

For Delgrosso, this year is crucial to his development and his future, and he believes he is where he needs to be. “I’m trying to make a decision this year where to play, trying to find which league to go to, and [the showcase] will help me make the right decision.” 

Richie Price, another South Shore Kings product and Texas native, shared similar likings as Delgrosso. “Favorite part would have to be the seminars. It’s college aimed, all the guys coming out, it’s awesome especially for kids my age-- eighteen year olds-- it’s that year where we’re taking an off year. We’re going to play juniors while our friends are going to college. Getting to understand that this is normal and how things go, that it’s part of the process, really helps a lot.”

Price values his time on the ice, and kept coming back to Elite Edge for the education and the exposure. “Being an eighteen year old now, it’s that time for kids to make that jump from Triple A to juniors. And I just wanted to come back out here and see if I could make it happen again.”

For Price, Elite Edge has been a tremendous help to his development and career. Attending the camp two years ago, Price knew which stage he was at in his career, and was thankful for the connections he made at Elite Edge. 

“Two years ago, I came to this camp for the first time, back when it was the last year at [Antioch], and it was word-of-mouth. I heard about the camp and wanted to get out of Austin. I was tired of playing Single A hockey, I wanted to see if I could make anything of it and sure enough, I went to the camp, performed well, got an offer from a Triple A team. This camp singlehandedly got me out of Single A hockey and into Triple A hockey.”

Elite Edge helped Price get him to the next level and into a more competitive branch of hockey. Almost like clockwork, he told Delgrosso about it, who then showed up and loved his experience.

“I heard about [this showcase] from Richie who came down here,” said Delgrosso. “He said that he had a great time here last year and the year prior, so I wanted to come try it and see what it’s all about and it’s awesome to be here.”

Delgrosso feels his game has already improved considerably for his first time. “The coaches on the bench have been a great help during the games. These little things to critique that make a big difference in the game-- I’ve had a lot of pointers from, honestly, everyone.”

Price recognized the reasons why he recommended Delgrosso to this showcase and highlighted the reasons he dedicated himself every year to attending this event. “There’s definitely a push to be better. There are kids here who are better than you and better than me personally, so there’s a push for myself. It’s definitely an eye-opener. The drive and want to get better and be better, it’s contagious.”

This showcase harvests talent and good relationships. Opportunities are created at this showcase unlike anywhere else, and kids are in control of their own destiny here. For players like Price and Delgrosso, they’re in the right place for turning their hockey dreams into realities.