By Abby Doperak · SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Representatives of the Ice Vols traveled to Syracuse, New York, this past weekend to attend a developmental camp led by newly appoin…
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Representatives of the Ice Vols traveled to Syracuse, New York, this past weekend to attend a developmental camp led by newly appointed Director of Hockey and Head Coach Rod Simmons.
Held at Tennity Ice Pavilion, the camp drew 11 players, which included six returners and five prospects. Among the returning players was SEC Defenseman of the Year Bryce Cooper, who took on a leadership role throughout the weekend.
“It is the first time Tennessee has done anything like this,” Cooper said. “I just think it shows great initiative to get all the guys together out here early. It is a big commitment for us, so to see this many guys pop out and come to this skate, it means a lot to us and shows a lot of dedication.”
Simmons led the camp alongside his son, Tyler Simmons, an NHL skills coach, and professional goalie coach Jacob Mucitelli. For players, the weekend offered a glimpse of the resources and player development Simmons plans to bring to the program.
“It was high-paced, good practices,” Cooper said. “Not just skills, but good edge work, some compete drills and just a little bit of everything. I’m just really excited to have him.”
For Simmons, the weekend was about more than improving players’ skills on the ice. It also allowed players to strengthen relationships and connect with newcomers before the season.
“These are college students that are playing a college sport,” Simmons said. “I think that the right mindset and networking starting in the summer is very important.”
Jacob Kulas, one of the prospects at the camp, will attend the University of Tennessee this fall. After playing junior hockey and taking classes solely online, Kulas will now be a student on a campus for the first time.
After his first time skating with Ice Vols, Kulas said he felt the impact and importance of the weekend.
“I know for me specifically it was a wake-up call,” Kulas said. “There’s more work to be done for the season. But overall, I got to meet guys and get closer as a group.”
Simmons’ long-lasting impact on players was evident when former player Andre David attended Saturday’s skates.
David traveled more than three hours with his father and son to see Simmons, a longtime family friend and former neighbor. Now a youth hockey coach himself, David came not only to reconnect with Simmons but also to observe his coaching methods. He praised the work being done on the ice.
“It is just nice to see this,” David said. “I have been out of the game for 20 years, and this is cool. I’ve never seen this.”
After a weekend focused on development, attention now turns to tryouts and the start of the school year, both less than a month away.
“We will have over 100 guys between the teams at Tennessee,” Simmons said. “I think numbers are our strength. I think being that I oversee all of those programs, it gives me a chance to know the guys for communication purposes and know a little bit more about them.”
The Ice Vols will return this fall by hosting open tryouts for both the Division II and Division III teams at the end of August.