skip navigation

USA Hockey’s NTDP Players Score in the Classroom

By Pete Krupsky — USAHockeyNTDP.com, 08/17/16, 11:00AM EDT

Share

The progress of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program U17s and U18s are measured every day on the ice. As National Hockey League scouts appreciate, rapid development forced in the crucible of competition is the template of the NTDP. Eighty NTDP alumni played in the NHL last season, and another 21 were selected in the 2016 NHL Draft.

There is another facet to an NTDP player’s development more important than anything on the ice. 

All NTDP players attend high school in the area. In order to compete in games, players must maintain a minimum 2.3 grade point average in keeping with the minimum NCAA Division I eligibility requirement

She’s not a coach, but Lisa Vollmers – USA Hockey’s NTDP’s director of student-athlete services – monitors every player’s progress in the classroom as passionately as any scout evaluating the same player on the ice.

“I am extremely proud of the NTDP student-athletes and their dedication to success both on and off the ice,” Vollmers said. “The players recognize that their dedication and consistent hard work will pay off as they strive to meet their academic and athletic goals.”

Indeed, the returning U18s this season – all committed to various NCAA Division 1 colleges – are doing far better than the minimum. Last year, the entire team turned in a final team GPA of 3.22.

U18 players Sean Dhooghe (verbally committed to University of Wisconsin), Phil Kemp (Brown University), Scott Reedy (University of Minnesota), Adam Scheel (University of Notre Dame), Graham Slaggert (University of Notre Dame), Dylan St. Cyr (University of Michigan) and Brady Tkachuk (Boston University) all had GPA’s of 3.5 or better last year.

U18 head coach John Wroblewski appreciates the balancing act of hockey with academics more than most. He played for the NTDP from 1997-99 while attending Ann Arbor Huron High School. Wroblewski attended the University of Notre Dame from 1999-03 and was captain of the Fighting Irish during his final two seasons.

Wroblewski found out first-hand that good work habits lead to success on the ice and in the classroom.

“Discovering a routine and learning what works for each athlete is imperative,” Wroblewski said. “Everyone has to do some testing, some tinkering, but it's all about finding routines. Routines allow people to execute near their optimal level even when they don't feel their best. Those routines also pave the road to concentrate on what's next. “

Although it’s the players’ job to execute in the classroom, Vollmers is there to assist if needed.

“I work with administrators and counselors to enroll the student-athletes in their new high school,” Vollmers said. “I guide them in course selection as the student-athletes need to complete their high school graduation requirements as well as their NCAA Division I eligibility requirements.  

“Once the year begins, I monitor their grades and attendance daily, provide constant communication to teachers, parents and billets on school-related matters (schedules, testing, announcements, etc.), help to edit papers, conduct regular study table sessions and secure tutorial services when needed.” 

It’s not easy balancing a 12-hour day of school and study with on-ice and off-ice practice while playing roughly 60 games per season complete with domestic and international travel.

Like executing an effective forecheck or a crisp first pass out of the defensive zone, players manage their busy schedules and often flourish within the routine. 

Watch the NTDP players board the bus for a road assignment to Muskegon, Youngstown or anywhere else, and you’ll see the laptops opened, books being read and papers being written. Hotel lobbies often turn into study halls.

An added challenge to the equation is the fact that NTDP players come from all over the United States, living with local families in the area.

“When you think of all the changes that these students experience — moving to a new home, living with billets, attending a new school, playing on a new team, having new coaches, traveling most every week, etc. — all the students should be applauded for how hard they work to be successful in all aspects of life,” Vollmers said.

The NTDP moved its home base from Ann Arbor to Plymouth in the spring of 2015. The upcoming school year is the first for the NTDP in the school systems of Plymouth, Northville and Novi, along with Ann Arbor.

“The three new high schools — Northville, Novi and Plymouth — where the U17 team will be attending school this year, have been fantastic,” Vollmers said. “The administrators and counselors have been incredibly helpful through the planning and enrollment process. I am confident the players will have an excellent experience becoming active members of the student body while attending classes at these schools. 

“In addition, the majority of our U18 team will continue to attend Ann Arbor Pioneer where we have had an amazing working relationship since the program began (in 1996).”

Related Articles