[News] Rich Hesketh no longer strength and conditioning coach for the Flames

[Coach]

Gary Roberts, come work for us exclusively please.

[EverfresH15]

This didn't just happen. Have a buddy that is a trainer and he told me about 2 months ago that he was going to be let go.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Yah, heard the same thing a while back at Poppeye's and then again at GNC. Surprisingly, the folks at Natural Foods though he'd get an extension.

[ricoFlame]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Oh wait, who cares, the team ain't getting any worse with him gone.

[DionTheDman]

According to Treviling, this is the individual we've hired. Ryan van Asten

Prior to joining the Kings, van Asten was a Head Strength and Conditioning coach and Coordinator for Hockey Canada and the Canadian Sport Centre – Calgary where he was part of the 2010 Olympic gold medal championship women’s hockey team in Vancouver. Along with the Olympic gold medal, van Asten was fortunate to be a part of three World Championship teams and multiple (10) World Cup medal winners in hockey and luge.

van Asten is a graduate of the University of Calgary where he earned a Master of Science degree in Neuromuscular Physiology. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA) and a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CSEP).

[getbak]

The guy can lift the heavy weights...

[bubbsy]

Awesome. He's been with the kings the past few years as per treviling interview.

[getbak]

Experience with Hockey Canada, not surprising.

[Da_Chief]

https://twitter.com/RyanVanAsten

Already listed as part of Flames. Looks like a good hire.

[bob-loblaw]

From Hockey Canada first. Then from the Stanley Cup Champs, who Darryl Sutter said "seemed to heal up" as they went through the playoffs yet played 26 games in the playoffs (plus overtimes on top of that).

Seems like a brilliant hire to me.

[getbak]

3 seasons with the Women's team: Olympic Gold Medal
3 seasons with the Kings: 2 Stanley Cups and one additional Conference Finals appearance


Pretty good resume.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan in Exile

He has a business relationship with a personal training company based out of north York, Ontario.
His training regime is popular, but on an individual basis, not team oriented. Pretty sure this is all his focus right now. http://www.fitnessinstitute.com/gary-roberts-hpc/

From what I remember, Roberts was also working with the Dallas Stars. Not sure if he still is considering Nieuwendyk is gone.

[Buck Murdock]

Hesketh lost the room.

[VladtheImpaler]

I am curious - perhaps those of you who actually know about this sort of stuff can answer - how much of disruption (if any) is this for our players/prospects, as the new guy presumably has different ideas re health/fitness than the old guy?

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I am curious - perhaps those of you who actually know about this sort of stuff can answer - how much of disruption (if any) is this for our players/prospects, as the new guy presumably has different ideas re health/fitness than the old guy?

There will probably be a little disruption as Rich would have made plans for most the prospects and players to follow with their own trainers in the off season as well as goals and the such.

Having a new guy come take over 3 days before you are supposed to check in with him on that plan is definitely going to be a little different since he will probably make new plans for all of them to follow now.