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The Rice Difference -
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Becoming a Member of the Knight Hockey Family
The Rice Memorial Prep Hockey Program was inaugurated in 2009, and completed its first season in 2009-2010. It is a forward-looking team that develops student-athletes to exhibit intense dedication and skill, to learn and practice leadership skills, to achieve personal growth through sport, and to practice unrivaled sportsmanship. Determination, desire, emotional discipline and integrity are the key aspects of the Knight hockey philosophy. Players practice the rigors of academic excellence combined with the intensity and sweat needed to excel in athletics, thus shining in both academics and hockey. Knight hockey players become complete student-athletes and meet high standards in both, reaching success in Junior Hockey, NCAA Hockey and the NHL.
Players are coached at the highest level of high school play. They are taught to appreciate the art and intricacies of hockey, while also recognizing and using its simplicity to the team’s advantage. The team constantly strives to exceed expectations, to maintain a sense of duty to the team and to sustain an unwillingness to be satisfied with anything less than the best.
Coached by Aaron Bain, the team is exposed to innovative ideas and insights while honoring the traditions of hockey. Coach Bain will ensure that their players shine at both academics and sport, while making the players, community and alumni feel thrilled to be part of the Knight hockey family. While the team excels by winning, Coach Bain also challenges and motivates the team to become positively engaged in its community, school and team.
The Rice Advantage:
- Play in a beautiful twin rink setting less than 2 miles from Rice and UVM
- Exposure to USHL, BCHL, CCHL, EHL, USPHL, NCDC, AJHL, NAHL, NHL & NCAA Div. I/III
- School commitment to developing elite hockey players
- Practice 4 days a week-Play 40+ games against prep, 18u and junior teams
- Hockey Specific Strength and Conditioning Program
- Leadership training
- Sport psychology
- Community, School and Team building emphasis
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My dedication to Rice Memorial and the Prep Hockey Program is rooted in fostering a deep sense of pride in each player—both in their personal growth and athletic development. This commitment extends beyond the rink, encouraging our athletes to bring that same discipline and determination into the classroom and their daily lives.
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I am devoted to preparing players for the next level of hockey by implementing modern game strategies and styles modeled after the highest levels of junior and professional play. By continuously challenging our athletes to push their limits, we create an environment where they can maximize their potential, both individually and as a team.
The foundation of our success lies in preparation, competition, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Through this approach, we not only advance our players to higher levels of hockey but also cultivate a culture of achievement that extends beyond the game.
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C. Douglas Cairns Arena
The C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena is a twin rink facility conveniently located in South Burlington, Vermont, less than two miles from Rice High School. Both rinks are NHL size (85ft by 200ft), and have been the host to many camps, and national and international tournaments. Rink 1 has seating for 600 spectators, while rink 2 seats 400. The rink also offers a snack bar, food and beverage vending machines, and a pro shop.
The Locker Room
The Rice Memorial Prep Hockey Program boasts a state of the art locker room at Cairns Arena, which was completed in February 2010. The locker room is located above the lobby at Cairns Arena, overlooking the ice surface of Rink 1; it includes a carpeted floor, 23 individual spaces for equipment, and a bathroom area, equipped with showers and a wall mounted television for film. The locker room puts Rice Memorial Prep Hockey at a new level of excellence and professionalism.
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Travel
All aspects of travel and transportation for the Rice Memorial Prep Hockey Team are first class. Like the rest of the program, the staff tries to make this piece as much like a college program as possible. The team is driven by Lamoille Valley Transportation and Premier Coach, the same coach bus company that has driven the athletic teams of the St. Michael’s College, Castleton University, etc.
While on the road, the team spends their nights at first rate hotels such as The Sheraton, The Marriott, and The Westin. Parents are also given the opportunity to stay at team hotels with the same rate as the program gets.
Understanding the importance of proper nutrition, the staff ensures that each player receives the right food at the right times in order to provide the athlete with both enough energy to compete and also to replenish after competition.
Much like at the college level, each player is provided an itinerary for travel, which outlines when and where he needs to be at any certain time. The itineraries are very helpful for things such as wake-up times, meeting times, and arrival/departures from competitions. They also help the players learn to be on their own and manage their time on the road. It puts responsibility in the players’ hands and allows them to mature in that respect.
The Rice Prep Hockey Program is a first class organization and takes the safety and well being of players very seriously.
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