New HDC San Diego training program aiming to develop, keep homegrown talent in SoCal
BY MATT MACKINDER In yet another sign that the game of hockey is growing in California, the new HDC San Diego association is now up and running. HDC San Diego is a new hockey training program that is owned by Ken and Kelly Baker with Tori Pizzuto serving as the hockey operations manager. Ken Baker said being part of this new initiative was a no-brainer. “Quite honestly, I’d like to give promising local players a new and powerful opportunity to reach higher levels in technique development right here at home,” said Baker. “Many players from San Diego leave the area to pursue training centers around the country. I’d like to raise the overall level of play here by keeping that talent around and helping to raise a new generation of players and expand the game in San Diego. “The process to get to this point has been steady and methodical. My wife Kelly and I partnered with HDTS (Hockey Development Training Systems, based in Slovakia) in 2022 with a mutually-beneficial agreement. While HDC San Di-
The HDC San Diego team is, left to right, Ken Baker, Kelly Baker, Tori Pizzuto, James Spaargaren, and Brandon Richardson. ego benefits from a fully-equipped world-class training center, HDTS now gains a key spot in a beautiful destination city in North America to showcase all of its patented technology to other customers. They help us
by sharing key strategies and proven methods, we help them to establish a presence in the U.S.” Pizzuto, who has previous work experience with the Los Angeles Kings, LA Lions, San Diego Angels
and Ontario Jr. Reign, noted she is back in her comfort zone. “I had been working in the production world for a few years now, kind of always peeking over the fence at re-entering the hockey world, whether in coaching or management,” Pizzuto said. “I saw a post about HDC and was instantly curious. Ken and Kelly reached out to me the day I applied, which was exciting. After meeting with them and hearing about the center, their goals and the overall philosophy of HDC San Diego, I was hooked. I was honored when they offered me the hockey operations manager position and could not be more excited to be back working in hockey, my true love. “HDC is designed to work with all ages, all genders. As long as they have the ability to skate on the skatemill, we can go as young the capability and the same goes for adult players. Our goal is ultimately to serve the community of players in San Diego that are looking to get to the next level, whether that be AAA, high school, college, pro, etc., but
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OCTOBER 2023