(Walpole, MA) -- Walpole Express GM and Coach Tony Dalessio has been named to the coaching team at the USA Hockey Select Development Camp set for July 7-13, 2009 at the ESL Sports Centre in Rochester, N.Y. He will head the 17 Selects, a roster of the country’s top 1992 birth-year players. This will mark Dalessio’s second trip to the festival as he coached the 14 Selects in 2008.

Making this year’s event even more special, one of Dalessio’s top Express players, Jide Idowu, is also participating. “I’m excited to be returning to Rochester,” Dalessio said. “The select festival features the best players in the country in each age group. The event is a great opportunity to help continue their development in such a structured environment and work with some of the other top coaches and staff from around the country. Also, having the chance to watch Jide’s progress throughout the week will be fulfilling.”

The goal of the national player development camps is to identify, train, educate and evaluate the best athletes in the country. According to USA Hockey, during the festival week players are evaluated by the national scouting program, college and junior recruiters and professional scouts. Through competition and drills, each player also has the opportunity to measure himself against others his age and receive outstanding coaching from a carefully selected elite staff. The ESL Sports Centre is the largest multi-use sports complex in Western New York and houses four NHL-sized ice arenas.