HP 15 Summer Festival

 This past week Jon participated in  Phase 5 of the Reebox High Performance program, Summer Festival. There were six teams made of up of players selected from 12 district teams at the Spring Festival back in May. The players were all born in 1997 and from Minnesota. The camp started on Saturday and finished on Thursday. Each day was a full plate of practice, dryland, ragball, talks from former Olympians as well as Gopher head coach Don Lucia. There was also a game each day. After Thursday's morning games, each team was notified which players made it to the final phase which would compete against other teams from states around the country in Rochester New York in July. Jon didn't make the final phase but felt he learned a lot and had a fun time getting to know some other players. It was a grind for each player but the ones that stood above at the end, made the cut.

We watched a few games and I caught one practice. It was some good hockey and a lot of nice players. Jon had a good week, working hard and playing the best to his ability. There are politics involved and interesting talking to parents from the metro. Over the years you can't help but get into the scene and identify certain players and discussion back and forth. Makes for some drama at times. Bottom line is to focus on fun and development, always looking at the big picture.