For the Chicago Fury, the path to becoming a girls program in the Tier I Elite League starts with training.

Specifically, it’s FPT — Fury Performance Training — launched in 2010.

“Twice a week we have an on-ice session and a workout,” said Rob Granato, Fury girls hockey director. “They’re in the weight room for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes twice a week with our Fury strength coach [Jeff Blindauer]. He tests the kids every six weeks — in the 400 shuttle run, the vertical jump and weight exercises. He also tracks the players throughout the year.

“He tailors those programs to the girls. He teaches them pregame routines like stretching and flexibility. He teaches a cool-down program for recovery between games. He helps girls with nutrition, like what to eat before and after games.”

In an era when young players tend to indulge in “junk foods,” an emphasis on nutrition is extremely important. But the benefits of FPT are just as important in the long term.

“We can see it from month to month and year to year,” Granato said. “We can see during long weekends. Girls are stronger. When we send kids to college, they have experience in the weight room.

“Coaches have called me and said our girls know what to expect. We don’t have to teach them technique. Now, they jump into college and it’s not new to them. Our kids have that advantage where they’ve been doing it for three to five years.”

Among several Fury players committed to playing college hockey is Granato’s daughter, Allie, who is committed to the University of Vermont.

Taylor House is committed to Quinnipiac University, and was selected to attend USA Hockey’s 2015 Girls U18 Select Player Development Camp in Biddeford, Maine.

In addition, 16Us Lena Flores, Leah Roames, Morgan Donchez and 19U Emma Paravola were selected to attend the 2015 Girls Central District Development Camp in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The association boasts some prominent alumni as well.

Sonja Shelly plays for St. Lawrence University, and also participated in the 2013 USA Hockey Girls U18 Player Development Camp. Jessica Dunne plays for Ohio State University, and was named to the USA Junior Women’s Inline Team that played in the Inline Hockey Junior Women’s World Championships in Toulouse, France, last July (winning the silver medal).

But despite all the success, developing girls to go on and play hockey at the college level isn’t necessarily the only goal for the Fury.

“I tell everybody, ‘winning is important but it’s not the only reason,’” Granato said. “We have things that are more important. Yes, we want to win. But our main goal is to make sure if they want to play college hockey we develop them totally. We stress academics. We have kids with great work ethic in the classroom. They understand their careers will be in the field in which they major, which is the most important thing.

“Every one of our seniors the past three seasons has gone on to play college hockey except one who was injured.”

Granato’s last name should sound familiar to any USA Hockey fan. Rob’s sister is Cammi Granato, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Olympian and a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.

“I started coaching girls hockey 20 years ago,” he said. “My sister Cammi and I started by running her hockey camps in Chicago. I always had the philosophy that I wanted to coach and treat the kids the same way I would want my daughters treated.

“It’s a learning environment. We want to teach girls how to play hockey. It’s a team game and there aren’t any egos. We teach them about being a teammate and about self-confidence being very important.”

Besides Cammi, Rob Granato utilizes two other invaluable resources: brother Don, who is a USA Hockey National Team Development Program coach, and Tony, a 1988 U.S. Olympian who is currently an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings.

Moreover, under Granato, the Fury has embraced USA Hockey’s American Development Model. They utilize small-area games that generate quicker decision-making, efficient skill development and more puck touches for players. Granato also draws on those familiar sources for practice tips.

“I use Donnie as a great tool to see what he’s doing. I use a lot of the same practice plans that he uses,” Granato said. “As for Tony, I call him and pick his mind. It’s very beneficial to have those resources.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.