Skinner, Harrison, Terry & Peters training at Exclusive Toronto Camp this week

by Carolyn Christians on Aug 24, 2011 2:26 PM EDT in Hurricanes Newsstand

You know the name Gary Roberts, whether you're a Carolina Hurricanes fan from the Greensboro years, or if you have heard about the Jeff Skinner's recent summer training program. Roberts and Mike Nichol, former strength trainer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, are partnering this week to run an exclusive training camp for NHLer's. The BioSteelSports Camp is in its second year and brings together about 40 hockey players for the week, to teach them their particular method, which is considered among the most challenging and comprehensive. It is unique in that it also specifically designed around the demands of playing NHL hockey.

It's no surprise to find out Skinner is one of the participants. What we hadn't heard before is that four others in the Hurricanes' system are also participating in the week of intense training. Jay Harrison, Justin Peters, Chris Terry and the Checkers' Mike McKenzie are working out shoulder to shoulder some of the best known and most talented hockey players in the League, including names like Steven Stamkos, Tyler Seguin, Mike Cammalleri, Paul Bissonnette. A story from James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail this afternoon provides a full list of Team Nichol and Team Roberts: Which NHLers are training at the BioSteel camp? plus they have a few photos here.

Picture this: Jay Harrison and Chris Terry in the best possible NHL condition. How does that adjust your thinking about which Canes will shine this season?

After the jump, a couple videos of days 1 and 2 produced by the BioSteel marketing team (and marketing is an inescapable aspect of BioSteel, which makes an energy/sports drink of the same name).

You'll see Jeff Skinner's name in the Day 1 video. Look for Justin Peters (very quick) right after Bissonnette (around the 1 minute mark of Day 2).

If you see Harrison, Terry, or McKenzie, please make a note of where in the comments. Someone mentioned Jared Staal might be there too - since he was with Terry and Skinner as part of the Roberts program at some point over the summer, that would certainly make a lot of sense. Neither Peters' nor Staal's name is on the G&M list.

Day 1

Day 2

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Comments

How do you get invited to this? Nothing against Harrison, Terry, Peters, or anybody else, however, if it is exclusive I don’t necessarily think of those names when someone mentions “an exclusive camp for NHLers.” But if it makes them better I am all for it.

by hotchipsnsalsa on Aug 24, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Good question. The G&M article says there’s a waitlist. and I’ve seen a lot of buzz around BioSteel in the last couple years – and this week (with not much else to talk about) – lots of media mentions of the camp. NHLHomeIce (XMRadio) is devoting a portion of everyday interviewing participants. Roberts was on this morning. I didn’t know if anyone from the Canes was there until this afternoon.

Don’t overlook the sophisticated/aggressive marketing. They know what they’re doing. Bob McKenzie has been vocal in spreading the word through Twitter (and he is the king of twitter) and seems to be impressed by Mike Nichols – refers to him during the whole Prospects’ Combine, where Nichols is one of the advisers/consultants to the NHL, IIRC. And now McKenzie’s son Mike is there.

Chris Terry (and Jared Staal – if he’s there) are both working w/Gary Roberts this summer so that was their ticket. Getting them into the Roberts program was an achievement in itself. Roberts has said that he takes people based on their work ethic, so it’s not about previous recognition.

Perhaps Skinner helped Justin Peters, who is known as an incredibly dedicated workout type himself. Skinner has mentioned that about PeteDawg and how much Peters was a great roommate last year.

Jay Harrison? Who knows? But, like you, I’m not complaining.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Aug 24, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Said it at the beginning of the offseason, will say it again.

Chris Terry + Gary Roberts Camp = Going to surprise a lot of people.

If we have one off the board forward prospect who has the raw offensive talent to jump into the Canes top-6 in a few years, I think it is Terry.

by JussiJuice on Aug 24, 2011 3:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think that’s spot on and I’ve heard that from others – Something along the lines that Terry could be "a game-changer" based on what he’s done in Charlotte.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Aug 24, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

After watching him in Juniors ( 101 points in 68 games his final season)and knowing the kind of quality individual he is ( was awarded both the Mickey Renauld and Dan Snyder trophies by the OHL) I am not surprised at this level of dedication from Terry. Since they day we drafted him I have thought that the biggest “sleeper” talent we have in the system is Chris Terry.

by sittler27 on Aug 24, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Terry

Terry really stepped up his overall game last season. His only hold back was he lacked the acceleration he needed. Under Daniels and Kinnear he took his game to entirely new level defensively and was killing penalties. The fact he was invited to the Gary Roberts camp told me the Hurricanes think he is somebody they believe will make it to the Hurricanes roster some day. He has great hands and tremendous vision on the ice. He is also very patient with the puck and doesn’t rush himself when he gets scoring chances. He seems to make time on the ice. He is a player who can’t be overlooked. The competition at the forward will be more and more intense as players like Terry develop.

by abramsdoug on Aug 24, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Aww Miss Carolyn

you did it again…a great article…and loved the fact the canes/checkers were well represented there…hmmm you don’t think Gary Roberts has a “special” place/spot in his heart for Canes players do ya ?? But it does raise or should raise eyebrows of and about Chris Terry…Like Stewart,matts,Dalpe & Boychuk..the mindset is there but the rest of the body needs to catch up…and in the case of Terry,Peters,Harrison.and McKenzie being there..it’s all good for them and the teams…Thanks again…

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Aug 24, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Camp

Someone should suggest Eric Staal ought to go to this camp or to Gary Robert’s camp.
To change the subject, does anyone know when FSN will release their schedule for broadcasting Canes games.

by skinnerthewinner on Aug 24, 2011 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

Forslund teased on twitter that it should be out in the next few weeks.

by Patrick Clarke on Aug 25, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

If you’re curious about BioSteel – the sports drink, Mirtle profiled the company with more on Mike Nichol (no s – sorry about misspelling above). Move over Gatorade, there’s a new fuel for NHL players

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Aug 24, 2011 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with your suggestion in your post further above about this marketing aspect. Obviously they have to back it up with a great program, but I don’t recall ever hearing so much about a ‘brand name’ in regard to the off/pre-season. They are getting as much mileage as arena naming rights, lol.

Will be interesting if other hockey brands try to follow suit in the future.

BTW, does Gary Roberts’ program have a name other than “working with Gary Roberts”? :-)

by efrancis on Aug 25, 2011 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

The Gary Roberts High Performance Centre.
Its a collaborative effort with the Fitness Institute in Toronto (North York).

by sittler27 on Aug 25, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

They’ve put up the Day 3 video. Skinner gets a nice sequence on the ice – lotta 10-2 just like you remember. Peters shows up in the yoga session.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Aug 25, 2011 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Didn’t I read somewhere that Eric did train with Roberts this summer?

I'm trying to be positive here, so if you're not go PUCK yourself.

by canescup on Aug 25, 2011 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

Jared

by Squeaky83 on Aug 25, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

As I understand it, Jared and Jordan came to Toronto a few times over the summer to learn the training techniques from Roberts for all the Staals to use in Thunder Bay this summer.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Aug 25, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions