Maple Ridge’s Nick McBride’s stock continues to rise as the Burnaby Winter Club goalie has been invited to the National Hockey League Players’ Association’s All-Canadian Mentorship Camp in Toronto.
The camp, hosted by 21-year NHL veteran and Stanley Cup winner Gary Roberts, takes place July 17-21 and features 42 of the best bantam-age players in the country.
McBride is excited for the opportunity to improve his game.
“It’s really amazing,” said McBride, who was the second goalie picked in the recent Western Hockey League bantam draft, 23rd overall by the Prince Albert Raiders. “To be able to work with NHL players and coaches will be a great experience.”
McBride said he’s looking forward to get a chance to work alongside current NHLer Martin Biron.
Roberts, who has become a fitness guru amongst many current NHL players, will lead the camp for the on-ice drills,. Roberts has solicited the help of a number of high profile names to lead the off-ice portion of the camp.
McBride will get also sit in on sessions with Dr. Paul Dennis, a 20-year veteran team psychologist for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition, fitness experts Matt Nichol and Lorne Goldenberg will instruct McBride and the rest of the players for the off-ice component, and nutritionist Ryan Dennis of Nature’s Emporium will provide players with tips on what to eat and drink for optimum athletic performance.
The goal of the camp is to provide the next generation of NHL players with a pro experience that will give them tools and the knowledge to help them make the transition to the next level in their careers.
The all-expenses paid trip is another feather in the cap of the highly regarded Maple Ridge goalie.
McBride backstopped Burnaby Winter Club to two consecutive Western Canadian Championships before being drafted by the Raiders. The 15-year-old will play his first year of major midget in the fall, looking to secure a spot on the Vancouver North East Chiefs.
As an under-ager, McBride will only be eligible to play five games for the Raiders next season, and said he wants to make sure he’s ready to make the club at 16. He said he’s working hard in the off-season to make sure that happens.
“I’ve been going to Giants games for a long time, and to be drafted by one of those teams is pretty exciting. I’m really looking forward to training camp,” said McBride, the 6’2, 160-pound net minder who was named to the Western Canadian Championship’s first all-star team and top goalie in 2012.
The prospect heads to Prince Albert in late August to open camp with the Raiders. He said the development camp will be a great first experience in dealing with the next step in his career.
McBride said he’s happy to be regarded so highly by the Prince Albert Raiders and thanks his parents for the countless hours they’ve dedicated to getting to this point in his young career.