Busy Off Season for Hayes, Vesey in Boston

While it may be the offseason, there are very few days off for Rangers forwards Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey.
The pair are among a dozens of NHL, professional and college players spending their summer training at Edge Performance Systems under trainer Brian McDonough in Foxboro, Mass, about 30 minutes outside of Boston.
On the second floor Foxboro Sports Center is where all the action happens. Stationary bikes, dumbbells, boxing gloves and sled weights are scattered throughout the training area. Artificial turf lines the back corner while the jerseys of those who call the gym home line the walls.

The groans of the athletes can be heard over rap music, as well as the clapping of hands from training partners who push each other to the max for hours a day.
Hayes is one of the senior members of this current crop, having joined the squad while in middle school. While he was initially "forced" to join McDonough's gym, today there's no place else he'd rather train during the summer.
"I've been coming here for a long time," Hayes told NYRangers.com last week just outside the gym. "This is like a second home to me. It's definitely developed my career. It's definitely been helpful."
Hayes has had a front-row seat to watch McDonough's operation grow. When he first arrived, the workout room wasn't what it is today, with Hayes stating there was no turf field to train on, while the equipment selection was half of what it currently is.

But now, EPS is home to many of the top NHLers training out of Boston. In addition to Hayes and Vesey, Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau, Buffalo's Jack Eichel, Florida's Keith Yandle and Pittsburgh's Brian Dummolin are among those that can be spotted at the gym during the week.
"It's crazy to see how much its evolved," said Hayes. "It's been pretty amazing to see how hard [McDonough has] worked and how much he's achieved. It's all stuff that he deserves."
Despite the growth, Hayes said McDonough's commitment to his players has not wavered. In fact, Hayes said McDonough rejects many applicants every year and won't keep trainees around if he feels they are not giving it their best effort.
"People are dying to get in here," stated Hayes. "He doesn't really care who you are. He just wants guys who are going to work hard. If he doesn't think you're working hard, he'll give you your check back, your money back and tell you to leave."
Vesey began coming to EPS after his junior year of high school. Originally in the later group, Vesey eventually joined the coveted 10 am session and hasn't looked back. Like many, Vesey credited McDonough with helping him to get to where he is today, and that it's been great to see more players join the gym.
"I think just to see how many guys Brian trained over the years and the success they've had and to be a part of that is really cool," Vesey said. "I think this is definitely the premier gym in Boston, so it's definitely a blessing that I'm able to be a part of this."
McDonough said he's gotten to see both players grow as people and athletes, and it's special to see the two players he first met as teenagers have success at hockey's highest level.
"Kevin and Jimmy have really matured quite a bit," McDonough said. "Every year I've seen a significant difference in their compete level and their ability to really take care of themselves above and beyond from just when they're in the facility, and it's a lot of fun for me to watch."
"Right now this has been our best summer to date," he added. "I've seen both of them just really dialed in. The compete level is really high. There's a high level of buy-in and I think Rangers fans are going to be extremely excited to see both of these guys step onto the ice this year."

With the group reaching the level it has, the Foxboro Pro League was formed several years ago and has now ballooned six teams, who play every Wednesday night. The games are open to the public and is a good way for players to remain sharp in the summer months, even if that means things get more competitive than some would like in mid-July.
"It's good at the end of the summer, but not when you're going in Week 3 and guys are dumping it into the corner and you're thinking 'get me out of here,'" Hayes said with a laugh. "It's nice at the end of the summer."
The league offers players like Hayes and Vesey the chance to play with old friends and even family, something they don't do during the year. In fact, Hayes' team features his brother, Jimmy, while Vesey and his brother, Nolan, are teammates on their squad.
"I think it's a lot of fun," Vesey said of the summer league. "Playing with guys that you really don't get to play with. Old teammates and my brother for me. It definitely keeps us sharp and it's definitely a good outlet for us to work on stuff that we might want to in a game setting that you might not get somewhere else. Everyone benefits from it."
While the training is paramount, there's no denying the social aspect as well. The group gets to spend most days together, whether at the rink, in the gym or off the ice.
"You get to play with guys you grew up with," Hayes said. "We're all working out together. We all golf with each other. We basically don't leave each other's side for the whole summer. You get to laugh the whole time you're working out and you're getting better. That's an absolute blast."