2016 WHL U.S. COMBINE CAMP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR
Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League is now accepting applications for the 11th Annual WHL U.S. Combine Camp powered by Under Armour. This is a unique opportunity for youth U.S. hockey players to participate in scrimmages, on/off-ice skills and fitness tests with other top-ranked players. The WHL is the largest Major Junior Hockey League in North America and is a leading supplier of player talent to the National Hockey League. This will be the only evaluation camp conducted by the Western Hockey League in the U.S. this season, and all of the WHL’s 22 Member Clubs will have their General Manager or Head Scout in attendance to evaluate players at the Combine Camp, which takes place in Anaheim, California from April 15-17, 2016.
This marks the third consecutive year that Under Armour is involved as the title sponsor of the event. The performance brand equips players with training gear and provides sophisticated testing equipment for the combine to evaluate players in a series of drills to test their speed, strength, stamina and skill.
“Under Armour’s brand mission is to make all athletes better. Hockey players at this camp will test themselves and push their limits. By providing them with the most innovative gear and equipment, they will get great insight on where they can improve as they work towards their athletic goals,” said Shana Ferguson, Under Armour Canada’s Director of Marketing. “Our involvement at this camp is about helping young prospects become the best athletes possible.”
Results will be entered into a WHL database that will allow players to view their results online and compare their scores to other players within their age category across Western Canada and the Western United States.
“The WHL U.S. Combine Camp provides our WHL Clubs with the opportunity to evaluate top prospects throughout the western United States who are eligible for this year’s WHL Bantam Draft,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “It is important we provide these young hockey players every opportunity to learn more about the benefits of playing in the Western Hockey League, including details on our WHL Scholarship Program.”
The camp will start Friday morning, April 15 and will conclude mid-afternoon on Sunday, April 17. During this period, players will participate in three scrimmages, a practice, an Under Armour Nutrition Seminar, and a WHL Prospects Information Session, where players and their families will learn about the benefits of playing Major Junior hockey, the highest level in the Canadian system. WHL Head Coaches will run the benches of each camp team and the WHL will also be sending WHL referees to officiate the games.
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION INFORMATION
The WHL U.S. Combine Camp is open to U.S. Residents born in 2001, who live in the Western United States (all Western U.S. States along with Minnesota and Alaska).
The WHL is currently accepting applications. Over the coming weeks the WHL will continue to accept applications, and from the pool of players, WHL Scouts will invite 84 players to attend. This camp is by invitation only. Only those who receive official invitations will be asked to submit payment to the WHL for the camp, which is $300 USD. Please do not submit payment until you receive a formal invitation from the WHL Office.
For those players interested in participating in this year’s camp, please complete the Player Application Form and submit it to the WHL Office by February 26th, 2016.
For more information, visit the WHL US Combine Website: http://whl.ca/page/us-combine-camp
*Attending this camp does not affect a player’s NCAA eligibility, nor does speaking with WHL Office or Club staff.
About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour (NYSE: UA), the originator of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand’s innovative products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels. The Under Armour Connected Fitness™ platform powers the world’s largest digital health and fitness community through a suite of applications: UA Record, MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.uabiz.com.
About the Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League started with just seven teams based in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1966. The WHL now has representation in all four Western Canadian provinces and the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. The WHL now consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 based in Canadian markets and 5 in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The WHL is a member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) whose membership is comprised of three major junior hockey leagues: Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL). At the conclusion of each League’s playoffs, the CHL hosts the Memorial Cup. A National Championship tournament involving each of the League’s Champion and the tournament host. For further information please visit www.whl.ca
CONTACTS:
Sinead Brown
Under Armour
416-413-5193
[email protected]
Kirt Hill
Senior Manager, Player Development
Western Hockey League
403-693-3058
[email protected]
