| Steve, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding week at hockey camp that my sons and I had this past summer. It was a great learning experience for all of us due to the excellent program and staff that you have at Heartland. The new rink facility is magnificent and the amount of ice time that is available to the kids is phenomenal, far surpassing any expectations that we had which were high to begin with. My boys have taken to weight circuit training to keep in shape and increase their power, all due to the superb experience they had with you and coaches Red and Todd. We are eagerly looking forward to next year and look forward to seeing you in the summer. Dr. Steve Dennis Orthopedic Surgeon South Coast Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Newport Beach, California |
| Steve Heartland Hockey Camp has been instrumental in developing my son, Andrew, into a complete hockey player. Because we live in Nevada, the ability to attend and train under expert coaches and high level players has put us years ahead of others who weren't fortunate to benefit from Steve Jensen and Heartland. We just can't say enough good things about our experience at heartland. Scott Peterson Former Head Coach of Hamline University Hockey Team Reno, Nevada |
| Steve As a parent of two young players, I can attest to the impact that the entire Heartland experience has on young minds and bodies. It goes beyond what happens on the ice. The challenging daily schedule and the experience of rooming with other campers on the Heartland campus seems to bring out the independent and competitive spirit that is sometimes hidden in young athletes. The quantity and quality of the work done on the ice daily is second to none. The growth in these young athletes from year to year is amazing as they are exposed to a variety of challenging drills and play daily. Without a doubt, people will notice the confidence that the athletes have when they return to the ice back home after a week or two at Heartland. Without a doubt, the athletes threshold for work on and off the ice is expanded after a trip to Heartland, as is their knowledge. Heartland is one of the only camps where you will find dedicated professionals who attend to help educate these young athletes on how to properly use dryland agility, conditioning, weight-training and nutrition to enhance hockey performance. After spending the last twenty years working in collegiate athletics as a strength coach and sports nutritionist, as well as a travel hockey coach, I can assure you that Heartland is one of the most unique and fundamentally sound hockey camps you can attend. When you factor in meals, lodging and the free recreational opportunities at the lake, you will also see how great a value Heartland really is. Dave Ellis, RD, LMNT, CSCS Professional Strength, Nutrition and Conditioning Coach Lincoln, Nebraska dave_ellis@mac.com |
| Steve My son, Archie and I have been attending the Heartland Hockey Camp every year since he turned 5 years old. He is now 11 and we still both look forward with great anticipation to our first day at camp where Coach Steve gives his rules and regulations lecture. This little speech sets the tone for a week of fun, hard work and great hockey education both physical and mental. As a part time hockey coach, I particularly enjoy watching the on ice drills developed by Steve and have used them to teach kids in our association. I have never witnessed hockey practices that utilize Heartland's station approach so efficiently! These on ice hours are made productive and fun because of the quality and number of coaches at an on-ice session at Heartland. Steve's approach to teaching hockey is great as it makes learning and hard work fun! However, the most valuable and unique opportunity made available to Archie at Heartland is the ability to meet and make friends with kids from all over the WORLD and is something he will cherish for the rest of his life. The week at hockey camp has become, and will remain part of our summer for years to come. Steve Skalbeck Senior Vice President Acordia/Wells Fargo Insurance Eden Prairie, Minnesota> |
| Dear Steve As a camper that has gone to many hockey schools and to Heartland Hockey Camp for the past ten years, I can say that Heartland Hockey Camp has been the best all-around camp I have ever been to. The staff are there to help you improve your hockey skills. They will do whatever it takes to help you be a better hockey player. For the adult hockey player, I feel Heartland Hockey is the best hockey camp there is. I never knew how much I would love hockey when I started playing. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed playing net. The part that scares me me is if it was not for you, I never would have known that my place on the ice was in the net. Thanks for 10 great years. It has been the week I look forward to more than any other in the year. Dave "Sharkie" Clark Maintenance Supervisor/Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN. |
| Steve I was 45 when I started playing hockey. At 56, I'm still hanging in there. Attending Heartland's Adult Camp each of the last eleven summers has been a major reason why. The skills and friendships that I have developed at Heartland have been super, and I would love to be able to go another eleven years. Ed Ives PHD/Economist Reno, Nevada |
| Dear Steve, I wanted to thank you for another great time at Heartland this past summer. My son, Graham, has gone to Heartland for eight years in a row, and surely will be back next year. I started bringing him to Heartland when he was six in the "Mite and Dad" program. It was such a wonderful way to spend time with him and watch his love of hockey develop. That has to be one of the best programs in the country for early skaters and a wonderful bonding experience for Dads and their sons and daughters. He learned to skate with excellent instruction and developed progressive skills at all aspects of the game. The kids played games such as "Shark" which always allowed them to catch their breath and enjoy the two hours on ice. He was tested in skill development and the report card he received at the end of each camp helped to identify areas of strength and areas that he could improve. The instructors were friendly and helpful. He has gone through the progression of levels to finally high school select this past summer. The highlight of the camps are those that are run by you. Your booming voice, physical presence, and incredible skill always draws their full attention. You work with them individually, and as a group, and clearly motivate them to their very best performance. You are one of the most gifted and inspirational teachers of young hockey players, and deserve all the credit for making this camp such a success. There are too few successful athletes that give back their skills to younger kids interested in sports. Perhaps one of the most outstanding aspects of your direction of this camp is that you learn and know the names of each camper for every session. This is so helpful to kids that may not have been away from home before or often, and is an incredible accomplishment of your part. Sandy is also an integral part of the camp and runs a great kitchen. The food is perfect for the campers and continues to be at a very high standard. Another impressive aspect of the camp is the constant improvements that you have made over the years, to both the rooms, workout area, dryland shooting, and the rink. The observation area above the rink is ideal for watching the skaters in total comfort. I always remember the big sign at the end of the rink and loud music playing that sets such an enjoyable atmosphere for the skaters. As you may recall, my son is one of those that love the lake. He has learned the "Heartland cirlcle" while tubing behind your boat, and enjoyed fishing on countless occassions. There are some good fish in that lake, and he once appeared on your brochure. In short, Heartland has been one of the most infuential times in my son's youth. He learned team work and hard work, fundamentals and specialized hockey skills, and enjoyed meeting new friends and reconnecting with other kids that frequently return to Heartland from all over the country, and he will likely keep coming back. I often recommend the camp to other parents and kids involved in hockey in our area with full confidence that they will have a very enjoyable and productive experience. I hope that you can continue the wonderful hockey camp that you and Sandy have created. Thanks for all that you have given my son. "Doc" Leslie W. Miller Cardiovascular Division Univ of Minnesota 420 Delaware, Box 508 Minneapolis, Mn 55455 Fax: 612-626-4411 Tele: 612-626-2178 |
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