February 2009 • Page 5
On
top
The 2008-09 Jacksonville Ice Dogs team photo. Photos courtesy Jacksonville Ice Dogs
of the wave
Jacksonville Ice Dogs building multi-faceted elite hockey program along Florida’s First Coast
By Joshua Boyd to “prepare to compete” for upper-level added. “Our goal is to get to the USA Blatherwick. Blatherwick is a Ph.D.
roster positions. Hockey National Junior Championships, Sports Physiologist who has been
Jacksonville is in the region referred and it is definitely a realistic goal.” involved with the USA Hockey
Along with an intensive training
to as “Florida’s First Coast.” community and other teams for over 30
program, and the full team schedule with Though the Ice Dogs were doing well,
There, great weather and plenty of on- the Ice Dogs (members of the they don’t base their success on wins and years, including the 1980 “Miracle On
and off-ice practice is the norm for the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League), losses. Ice” team.
Ice Dogs, along with valuable the team also offers their players the “Brett has incorporated Jack’s
“We base success on development and
educational time spent at one of the best opportunity to attend The Bolles School. Overspeed methodology and interval
how players progress within the various
prep schools in the United States, The training, very specific on-and off-ice
The Bolles School saw an average skill development areas we stress –
Bolles School. testing, and then enhances it by heavily
SAT score of 1800 in 2008 (according to especially in regards to their mental
“Players are coming to Jacksonville to the Web site approach,” Strot said. “Our goal is to emphasizing the mental and sensory
be part of an elite developmental and www.boardingschoolreview.com). The develop their natural instincts and we development combined with an elite
training program, known as Hockey school also offers 21 Advanced have created a unique methodology to mindset,” Wolter added.
International,” said Brett Strot, a Placement courses, vs. the national help players develop a better ‘sense’ for
University of Minnesota graduate and average of 14 per boarding school. the game.” The season at hand
former minor league hockey player and “Since the HI program started, a
“The Ice Dogs club is synonymous
coach. “The Ice Dogs are the in-season Why leave Florida? number of participants have participated
with their program. We give the kids the
component of that year-round training The creation of HI and the Ice Dogs in USA Hockey National Select camps,”
feel of playing for a high school team,”
program.” was, in large part, an effort to keep some Strot said. “Our objective is to move
said Strot. “By focusing on a select
The development program behind the group of individuals that meet the of Florida’s best players at home. players to upper levels and many of them
Ice Dogs was created under Hockey standards set forth by The Bolles School, “What’s going on in Jacksonville is are on the radar scope of the United
International (HI), a developmental we aim to attract the best student/athletes typical of the whole state,” said Kevin States Hockey League [Tier-1 Jr. A], the
testing and training organization. HI of the Southeast, whether they attend Wolter, the Ice Dogs’ general manager. NAHL [Tier-2 Jr. A] and we also have
programs were developed with the Bolles or another local high school “Many families have the perception they direct ties to the Atlantic Junior Hockey
realization that it takes seven to 10 years alternative available to the Ice Dogs.” must leave the area to improve their League [Tier-3 Jr. A]. Additionally,
of appropriate age-specific training and skills. Now, we’ve got an alternative several of our players attending The
Brian Ferlin, a 1992-born forward and
development for all skill and mental that’s tied in with an elite developmental Bolles School are getting attention from
the Ice Dogs’ top scorer this year, is a
components to come together to form an program and a prep school education.” top Ivy League institutions,” added Strot.
Bolles School student and was HI’s first
elite athlete. In December, the Ice Dogs and the
client at age 12. “In conjunction with our local rink,
The HI motto, “Don’t just play - be a the Jacksonville Ice and Sports complex, AJHL Northern Cyclones (of Hudson,
’s
player” is not just a slogan. It represents Perfect timing HI has created an off- N.H.), along with the NAHL North ’s
a picture of what is required for a player The Metropolitan League spread its ice/dryland/shooting facility,” said Strot, Iowa Outlaws (Mason City, Iowa), struck
footprint south with the addition of 10 who also provides local training for up affiliation agreements. The Cyclones
new teams in the summer of 2008, travel and recreation players in the and Outlaws have alumni in Divisions 1
adding the Met South Division to the greater Jacksonville area, such as in HI’s and 3 college hockey as well as in the
league. local youth development program, the professional ranks.
The Ice Dogs entered the Met Ice Dogs Academy. While Ferlin has received both
League’s All-Star break with a record of Since this program exists in college and Jr. A looks as a Bolles
20-4-0-1. That was good for 41 points Jacksonville, Ferlin sees the advantages School sophomore, other 1992-born
and a one-point lead over the Space of staying home for this period of his players earning a lot of attention are
Coast Hurricanes for first place in the hockey development. defensemen Eric Drapluk and Cam
Florida Division of Met South. Hampson.
“I’ve lived in Jacksonville my whole
“With the forming of the South life. My dad grew up in Chicago, where “Both are high-end players that skate
division, it was perfect timing for us,” he played hockey, and he brought that well and have excellent all-around
said Strot. “The base of the Ice Dogs love of the sport here,” said Ferlin. “In defensive abilities and have been in the
started when these kids were of Bantam my first year of AAA hockey, I was program for a few years,” said Strot.
age, and now the core group of those playing for the Jr. Everblades in Fort Higher-level hockey coaches could
1992-born players are playing junior Myers, which is four hours away.” Now, also appreciate the high-scoring exploits
level hockey and doing well. This is he doesn’t have to travel nearly so many of forwards like Greg Gozzo, Douglas
evident by having nine selections to the miles, and he’s been happy with his Thomas, Justin Jiminez and defenseman
2009 MJHL South All-Star game.” progress and the man responsible for David Ripple. Goalies Sam Callahan and
“For a first-year division, I think it’s most of that progress. Jared Lenner both sported .912 save
pretty good,” said Ferlin, of the Met “Brett is a really good training percentages at the All-Star break, as
South. “There are some pretty strong coach,” Ferlin added. “He has a really well.
teams and some weaker teams, but the good idea of what a hockey player needs The reality is sun, sand and warm
competition is good overall. to be a complete player – not just a ocean waters are indeed the right
“I’m happy with how the team has forward or a defenseman.” conditions in which to craft a top-level
Brian Ferlin continues to rank among the hockey player.
most productive scorers in all of the played – we’re ranked in the top five in Wolter said that Strot takes much of
Metropolitan Junior Hockey League. the country among Jr. B teams,” he his training methodology from Jack