In the spring of 2022, the Gloucester-Cumberland Girls Hockey
Association (GCGHA) announced the launch of the East Ottawa Stars High
Performance Development Program, and with that, the hiring of Dan Tessier as
General Manager of the program. This announcement came with a complete revamp
of the program, including a rebranding of the former Lady Grads name, new
uniforms and going back to GCGH's roots with the Stars name. Another
change was for the program to represent more of its members in the Ottawa region
by becoming known as the “East Ottawa Stars”.
The mission of the EO Stars High Performance Development Program is to provide
a high level hockey development program for elite female players that have been
identified at the U15AA, U18AA and U22AA levels as high potential players to
develop in an environment and culture that will give them the opportunity to
compete at the highest levels possible and prepare them to capitalize on
opportunities at the Provincial, National and University levels.
The program provides a consistent and uniform skills
and player development program for the U22AA Elite (Junior), U18AA and
U15AA teams within the GCGHA. Coaches and staff work in a collaborative
environment across these teams to ensure that each player is reaching their
maximum potential as both a hockey player and student athlete. Collaboration and consistency of our high
performance teams ensures that resources are utilized as effectively and
efficiently as possible.
This strong focus on honing the talent of the young athletes
on the ice is paired with leading edge dryland training at the Titan
Performance Center. Athlete profiles are
created and maintained by Titan Performance to offer feedback to coaches on the
overall fitness of the team over the course of the season.
Physical fitness is not the only thing we focus on with the
program. The program also successfully
launched the EO Stars High Performance Summer Program this past summer. We also strive to maintain a good balance
between hockey, education and each athlete’s home life. Our coaches focus on non-hockey related
aspects of our players’ lives, including routine individual coach/player
meetings and mental health checks to make sure the stress of school and high-level
hockey is not too much for our players.
Concussion baseline testing is also a very important part of our
program. Seminars on important topics
such as mental health, nutrition, recruitment and other topics are regularly
offered as well.
This season, the EO Stars U22AA Elite Junior team made a permanent
home for themselves at the Richcraft Sensplex with a dedicated change room, video
room and practice and home game ice.
Richcraft Sensplex provides a high quality facility in a convenient
location along with Titan Performance being on the second floor for an easy
transition from the rink to the gym.
For more information on the EO Stars High
Performance Development Program, please contact our General Manager, Dan
Tessier