Detroit Red Wings enlist GVSU students for preseason camp testing

The Detroit Red Wings' regular season begins this month, and to get ready for their first matchup, the team recently called upon 44 Grand Valley athletic training and exercise science students to help during a preseason camp.

From September 21-28 in Traverse City, the students helped Red Wings staff members conduct medical examinations and test the physical fitness of the players.

Skylar Schoen, a senior majoring in clinical exercise science, said working alongside the staff of a professional athletic team for the first time gave her the opportunity to see her field of study being applied outside of the classroom.

"Not only was I able to see the planning and testing that goes into preparing a successful NHL team, but I was also introduced to how closely and continually these professionals monitor a player's training throughout a season," said Schoen, from Batavia, Illinois.

Schoen added that her biggest takeaway from the camp was seeing the wide range of athletic abilities among hockey players.

"Coming from a sport where the motions and muscles of running and jumping aren't utilized day-to-day, it was interesting to see how this affected the players in the different fitness tests, such as the 10-yard sprint, which was my station," Schoen said.

Michelle Arnett, a senior majoring in exercise science, helped facilitate the "body map" station assessment, which used a large grid taped to a wall and a camera to film the players during movements, such as lunges, jumps, and flexibility and mobility exercises. She said the experience was intimidating at first.

"Working with professional athletes as well as their coaches was a little nerve-racking because you want to be recognized and want to be viewed as a professional while also making connections for the future," said Arnett, from Marysville, Michigan. "Knowing that I was interacting with such amazing athletes was absolutely indescribable, and they were very polite."

This camp is the third Red Wings preseason camp Grand Valley students have assisted with, and the 7th professional camp overall, including development camps.

"This camp takes the total number of Grand Valley students who have assisted with these fitness testing experiences to well over 100, which I think is an unprecedented number of undergraduate students to have worked with elite professional athletes," said Ross Sherman, associate professor of exercise science, and coordinator for Grand Valley's participation in the camps.

In July, 38 students assisted with testing draftees and prospective players by running tests ranging from sprinting and agility tests to power tests.

Heather Pietrzak, a senior majoring in athletic training, said the July camp was her first experience working with the Detroit Red Wings, and she was determined to leave a professional mark.

"Networking is a big part of the athletic training profession, so making a great first impression to other professionals in the field could be key to landing your dream job," said Pietrzak, from Brighton, Michigan. "Also, working with other health care providers in the sports medicine field is a great way to learn new ideas, collaborate with one another and show your worth."