By JACK WOODS

The Elite Edge Showcase wouldn’t have the prowess it does without the information provided to the players during the camp. These seminars are aimed at teaching them how to take care of your body and mind, as well as induce them with more hockey IQ. 

Kara Mcconnaghy instructs the players on stretching, yoga, and the importance of aftercare. She was introduced to Elite Edge because of her son’s passions; she’s stuck around the showcase ever since to emphasize the importance of body flexibility and recovery. 

“My passion as a mom, and not wanting to see an athlete get injured. I want to see them feel good while they play, because they play better when they feel better. I often tell the guys that if you rotate your tires and change the oil, your car will last longer, which is how they should think about their bodies. When you stretch, do yoda, there’s a base recovery that’s going to help their machine last longer.”

Players receive physical benefits from recovery, but Mcconnaghy says there’s an added mental benefit to recovery as well. “You can only take so much out of the bank, but you’re going to have put something in the bank. So I always talk about recovery tools; sleep, hydration, nutrition, stretching, that’s all putting money back in the bank.”

Mcconaghy realizes the age group she’s dealing with and understands how to get the best out of these young players. “You challenge their brain. If you give them something they think they can’t do, or something that’s new that they haven’t tried before, then they really have to concentrate and think about what they’re doing. Once they do it, it builds their confidence off-ice and they can take that onto the ice.”

The best benefits players receive are the ones they don’t expect. Mcconaghy’s instruction helps players rebound from their mistakes and continue going forward mentally stronger.

“We talked about this yesterday in class, about the psychology that goes with yoga. You can apply it to the ice or life. The number one thing I stress is that [athletes] are striving to be perfect while knowing they never will be. So when they go out and make mistakes, they can recover quickly and it doesn’t bring them down. And the only time a mistake is a failure is if you don’t learn from it.”

Breanna Cecil, a dietitian for Total Package Hockey, teaches her seminar on the importance of the proper diet and nutritional habits. She stresses that what athletes put into their body generally can be seen on the ice.

“For athletes, food choices can play a dramatic part in their athletic performance and success. Prioritizing nutrition can set athletes apart from their competition and when you are competing with the best, it goes a long way in their overall success.”

Cecil enjoys her annual visit to the showcase for the benefits these players receive and the impact she has. “Elite Edge Hockey Showcase gives these competitive hockey players the opportunity to get noticed and strives to improve players on the ice. Being part of that process and educating them on performance nutrition strategies that create real life changes is extremely gratifying.”

Like Mcconaghy, Cecil’s favorite part of being a part of the Elite Edge development is seeing the hard work these athletes put in pay off. Young athletes are eager to compete at the top of their game and being part of that process by educating them on proper performance nutrition is incredibly rewarding when you see them succeed.