In a showcase of the country’s top young hockey talent, more than 200 high school-age players will descend on the Hertz Arena in late July. The event will bring them together with coaches from some of the nation’s top college hockey programs.

The event is the brainchild of Ryan Vesce, a former National Hockey League player and founder of Matterhorn Fit, a Bonita Springs fitness and rehabilitation center.

“There hasn’t been something like this ever, anywhere,” said Vesce. “We’ve partnered with Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton, University of Michigan, Boston College, West Point, University of St. Thomas, University of Minnesota, UMass Amherst and UConn. That’s 12 schools and they’re going to be scouting and coaching the event.” The Florida Panthers’ head of player development is going to be there as well. The public is invited to attend for a nominal fee.

According to Vesce, the event, called Matterhorn Fit All Ivy Showcase, was initially conceived as a showcase for the Ivy League but quickly morphed into something larger as response surpassed expectations. In order to best build a list of top player talent, Vesce reached out to his extensive network of hockey professionals.
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