USA Hockey has chosen Daemen College to host the nation’s top young players in the sport this coming summer.

In June and July, hundreds of American players ages 15 to 17 will be based at the college’s main campus – with use of its athletic facilities for training – while competing at the nearby Northtown Center at Amherst.

As top prospects in the sport, many of the players are seeking to eventually advance to professional ranks or try out for the Olympic team.

“We are very happy to once again partner with USA Hockey and host these camps that are training those athletes who may represent the U.S. in international competitions,” said Greg Nayor, vice president for strategic initiatives at Daemen. 

“USA Hockey has been a great partner with which to work – professional, thoughtful, and considerate,” Nayor added.

The camps are structured to provide training and coaching from elite-level instructors to prepare players with skills and experience to benefit their careers.

“As the leader in health professions education and the premier NCAA Division II program in Western New York, serving as host to USA Hockey for their summer developmental camps makes sense,” said Nayor.

By the time the players come to Amherst, they will have competed at state- and district-level camps.

“We’re appreciative of all those in Amherst … involved in helping us stage these camps and all the volunteers across the country who help in providing a great hockey experience for players and their families,” said Bob Mancini, assistant executive director of hockey development for USA Hockey. 

“These national camps provide a unique opportunity for further growth and development of our top players in these age groups,” said Mancini.