Challenger Tours Hockey

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IJshal de Vliet, Leiden, Netherlands
July 21-24, 2025

Elite Training Camp

Times: 15.00-18.15

Ages: 13-17 (it is assumed that all players in the 13-17 age bracket will be excellent skaters with several years of hockey experience)

Coaches: David Cunniff (Assistant Coach, Utica Comets, The NJ Devils AHL Affiliate), Dave Livingston (Head Coach U18, Advantage Hockey, Boston, MA) and Joel Beal (Associate Head Coach, Providence College, Hockey East)

Details:

The format will consist of team play similar to any team preparing for their upcoming season.

Team drills will be conducted each day during the first half of the session and controlled scrimmages will take place each day. The last two days the controlled scrimmages will be replaced with full games with referees and a timekeeper. These games will be videoed by Johan Els ad will be used for any player who is interested in playing Junior Hockey, Prep School Hockey or College Hockey in the US. The videos are not available for sale but selected video of a particular player is available for an additional fee.

At the conclusion of this training camp, all players will be given a realistic evaluation of their current hockey skills and suggestions for improvement and development from the coaching staff.

Team Defense School

Times: 8.00-11.30

Ages: 13-17 (it is assumed that all players in the 13-17 age bracket will be excellent skaters with several years of hockey experience)

Coaches: David Cunniff (Assistant Coach, Utica Comets, The NJ Devils AHL Affiliate), Dave Livingston (Head Coach U18, Advantage Hockey, Boston, MA) and Joel Beal (Associate Head Coach, Providence College, Hockey East)

Details:

Forwards and defenders will be taught their defensive responsibilities:
Defenders

  • Retrievals and breakouts

  • Puck protection

  • Line rush against - defending the rush of 1 on 1, 2 on 1, 2 on 2 and 3 on 3

  • Defensive zone defending

Forwards

  • Wall work/breakout options

  • Puck protection

  • Line rush for entries

  • Offensive zone cycles/attacking concepts

Team Development School

Times: 11.30-13.00

Ages: 9-13

Coaches: David Cunniff (Assistant Coach, Utica Comets, The NJ Devils AHL Affiliate), Dave Livingston (Head Coach U18, Advantage Hockey, Boston, MA) and Joel Beal (Associate Head Coach, Providence College, Hockey East)

Details:

Forwards and Defenders will be taught foundational basic skating, passing and shooting techniques along with game situations.  From that point they will learn Wall Work and Puck Protection such as protecting the puck along the wall or off the wall and how to get off the wall with the puck.  

Game situations and small area games will include how to play both offensive and defensive situations such as 2 vs 1, 2 vs 2, 3 vs 2 and 3 vs 3. 

 Players will be taught how to use their sticks to their advantage for angling and defending.  How to use one hand on their stick and when to have two hands on their stick.  In puck battles players have to be strong with two hands.  If a player is defending 1 vs 1 they have to use a combination of one or two hands.