The Tomorrow’s Ice Development Program (TIDP) is a full-scale player development model offered by Tomorrow's Ice. The intent of the TIDP program is to:

• Provide players with the personalized hockey instruction to develop the individual skills required to excel at higher competition levels.
• Provide players with the competitive hockey opportunities, team structure, camaraderie, and team coaching to continue to achieve their hockey aspirations.
• Provide players with a comprehensive training program that includes fitness, healthy lifestyle, nutrition, and mental components essential for today’s aspiring athletes.

The TI Selects Concept

The TIDP is a complete hockey development model intended for aspiring hockey players. TIDP mirrors many components of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program model. The TIDP implementation varies by age group but shares a common core that consists of:

• Regular team practice and/or training sessions from September through February of the hockey season.
• Summer training and playing program.
• Reoccurring group skill sessions.
• “Mini-camps” in preparation for key competition events and additional training opportunities.
• League game competition and showcases/tournaments competing against both of Tier II and Tier I opponents[1].
• Off-ice fitness plans, nutrition and healthy lifestyle counseling, and team camaraderie exercises.

Target TI Selects players

The TI Selects teams are intended for high-level Tier II and Tier I caliber players aspiring to train in preparation for continued hockey advancement – Tier I, high school, prep, junior hockey, and college. For club players we view the TI Selects as a transitional development model to best prepare players for higher end Prep and Junior level evaluations when ready. The TI Selects provides the "bridge" a player needs for skill and concept acquisition through all critical phases of player development.  TI Selects are an alternative to traditional club hockey models that allows players to continue to develop core and advanced skill sets while playing an appropriate competitive level and season.  

Age Group Teams

TI will field the following competitive teams and age groups in the following USA Hockey age classifications:

• 12U[3]
• 13U[4]
• 14U
• 15U
• 16U[5]
• 18U

Competition/TI Selects

TI Selects teams[6] will participate in any or several of the following leagues (team/age/skill dependent), the Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF) (“AA” minor/major year), the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF) ("AAA" minor/major year), the United Tier 1 Hockey League (UT1HL) ("AAA" minor/major year), and/or the East Coast Elite League (ECEL) ("AAA" minor/major year) in their respective age brackets when appropriate.

• AHF
  • Each division of the AHF provides for approximately 36 to 40 competitions including 2 to 3 league showcases and regular season game schedule.
  • The AHF has a full playoff system. Teams that compete in the AHF are typically from the Mid-Atlantic (MD, VA, DE, PA, NJ, NY).  The AHF does host teams from outside of the local area.
  • Regular AHF season games are split between home and away venues. Regular season games are typically played with teams within a two to three hour driving distance.
  • As part of the AHF league schedule, TI Selects teams will typically play highly competitive Tier II AA level competition.
• THF
  • Each division of the THF provides for approximately 20 to 28 competitions including 1 to 2 league showcases and regular season game schedule.
  • The THF has a full playoff system. Teams that compete in the THF are typically from the Mid-Atlantic (MD, VA, DE, PA, NJ, NY).  The THF does host teams from outside of the local area.
  • Regular THF season games are split between home and away venues. Regular season games are typically played with teams within a two to three hour driving distance.
  • As part of the THF league schedule, TI Selects teams play Tier 1 AAA level competition.
• UT1HL
  • Each division of the UT1HL provides 4-12 competitions including regular season and playoffs all in showcase format play.
  • Teams that compete in the UT1HL are from various parts of North America including both the USA and Canada.
  • UT1HL League Showcases are traditionally played in various locations throughout the Northeast/New England, as well as other locations throughout the East Coast.  Locations may include travel by flight.
  • As part of the UT1HL league schedule, TI Selects teams play Tier 1 AAA level competition.
• ECEL
  • Each division of the ECEL provides 16 competitions including regular season and playoffs all in showcase format play.
  • Teams that compete in the ECEL are from various parts of North America including both the USA and Canada.
  • ECEL League Showcases are traditionally played in various locations throughout the Northeast/New England, as well as other locations throughout the East Coast.  Locations may include travel by flight.
  • As part of the ECEL league schedule, TI Selects teams play Tier 1 AAA level competition.

(League divisions/level are subject to change per league discretion without notice)

Tournaments/Showcases include the AHF and THF showcases (August through January/location varies), UT1HL and ECEL showcases (September through February/primarily New England based) and may include additional showcases and/or tournaments such as the CCM invitational (early November/Chicago), Super Series AAA events (Fall and Winter/location varies), other Fall season independent tournaments, International Sliver Stick, a Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year tournament (TBD and team dependent), and a winter season tournament (TBD). A late/post-season tournament option and spring tournaments may also be presented on a team-by-team basis.

The Selection Process

In accordance with USAH Potomac Valley Hockey Association guidelines TI will host team tryouts for interested players. TI intends to build teams using reputation, established relationships, and player/family-initiated inquires. TI will host evaluations and tryouts.

TI will provide any player with the opportunity to be considered for team placement. TI uses the following criteria as part of their evaluation process:

• That player loves the game of hockey and loves to play the game of hockey.
• That player has played and performed at an elite level and or has shown the ability to do so.
• That player has a solid hockey foundation and experience level.
• That player has potential for further development and is ready for exposure to a higher level of competition, expectation, accountability, and training.
• That player has intrinsic desire, motivation, and willingness to improve.  Enjoys the work it takes to excel at hockey.
• That player Is passionate about learning the game, being challenged, development of skill, and is driven by that passion.
• That player has identified and fully expects to train for hockey improvement and development on a consistent basis.
• That player may have a previously establish player/coach relationship with one of our referring coaches.

[1] Specific to 13U through 18U full-time teams only which play a combination of league games, non-league play, and typically 3 plus tournaments/showcases.  Tier II and Tier 1 level games and leagues are team dependent.  Any split season team (when applicable) is typically 10 league games and 2 tournaments/showcases plus additional non-league game play.  Any age level teams that are considered supplemental typically playing 16 league games and 2-3 tournaments/showcases.
[3] 11U and 12U teams will compete in a full season league schedule as well as in a tournament(s).  TI will consider 9U and/or 10U teams with sufficient interest and when appropriate.  
[4] 13U players will be considered eligible for 14U competition. TI prefers to field separate 13U and 14U TI Selects winter program teams, however when appropriate will consider 14U mixed birth year teams.
[5] TI may consider fielding separate 15U and 16U TI Selects winter program teams with sufficient interest and when appropriate.  15U players will be considered eligible for 16U competition.
[6] teams will compete in the AHF or THF as part of the TI Selects winter team program.  Elite teams play in the AHF as a league member.  Premier teams play at the independent AAA level as a member of the THF and will also compete in the UT1HL and/or the ECEL when team and player skill/commitment level are deemed appropriate.  On a case to case and team dependent basis, TI will consider playing a limited number of ECEL, UT1HL, or other league showcases as a guest team.
 

For questions or further inquiry, please contact Jason Slusher, TIDP Hockey Director via email or phone at 410-459-8887.

Mike Shramek, General Manager email or phone at 410-877-4808.

Tomorrow's Ice

Mike Shramek
410-877-4808
coachmike@tomorrowsice.com