NHL RDO Camp, Gatorade G Series is perfect match

The NHL is using next week's research, development and orientation camp to make sure the game on the ice continues to stay as strong as possible.

In a similar fashion, Gatorade is doing the same thing with its G Series line of drinks, which is why the sports beverage company has signed on as a title sponsor for the RDO camp.

The 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp Fueled by G Series will be held Aug. 18-19 at the Toronto Maple Leafs' practice facility in Etobicoke, Ont.

"I think it's definitely a good partnership," NHL Vice President of Hockey and Business Development Brendan Shanahan told NHL.com. "Both are companies that are going in a direction that they really like, while at the same time pushing to get better and be innovative and examining ways to get better. The partnership with Gatorade and G Series is a great fit."

Shanahan was one of 60 Canadian athletes from a variety of sports that took part in the G Series Symposium Thursday in Toronto. Included in that group were Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene, mixed-martial arts champion Georges St. Pierre, ultra-marathoner Ray Zahab and world champion kayaker Adam Van Koeverden.

"With the G Series platform, Gatorade brand has gone beyond hydration to provide sports nutrition solutions that are specifically tailored to meet the different needs of a broad range of athletes," said Dale Hooper, Vice President Marketing for PepsiCo Beverages Canada, which is the licensee for the Gatorade brand in Canada. "The G Series platform highlights the Gatorade brand's long-time commitment to science and is a major step on our journey from a sports drink company to a sports performance innovator."

One part of the new G Series -- which was introduced in the U.S. earlier this year -- is the G Series Performance products, which help an athlete before, during and after workouts.

"They were talking about specific drinks for specific training, and specific times for specific drinks, before, during and after (workouts)," Shanahan said. "And to have that at an athlete's disposal is a huge benefit."

Shanahan said the 35 players, 33 of whom are among the top 2011 Entry Draft prospects, will get a first-hand lesson in the benefits of the new line of sports drinks.

"They (G Series) are going to do a presentation the night the players arrive at our camp on the benefits of all the different forms," Shanahan said.

Shanahan said he's become a fan of what Gatorade is doing, and hopes the players attending the RDO camp not only like it, but are educated by the presentation.

"What I like about Gatorade is they don't have one cookie-cutter performance drink," he said. "They're doing so much. Now it's just a matter of getting this information to the players."

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]

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