A Unique Camp for Young Athletes
The Type 1 Timer Hockey Camp, held at Hertz Arena in Florida, is the only U.S. hockey camp created specifically for young athletes living with Type 1 diabetes. Founded by Geoff Hoffmann, Pittsburgh Penguins Team Governor and Chairman, the camp was born after his son Henry was diagnosed at age seven, turning a personal challenge into a broader mission.
This year’s edition welcomed more than 110 campers, a dramatic increase from the inaugural session, and featured intensive on‑ice instruction from Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse and goalie coach Andy Chiodo. Their presence added a professional edge, while sessions with sports psychologists, nutritionists and fellow diabetic athletes enriched the program with practical diabetes management tools.
Beyond skill development, the camp offers families a rare sense of relief. For parents like the McKernans, who travel from Youngstown each summer, the experience is both cathartic and empowering, providing a community where the daily stress of managing a child’s diabetes fades into shared encouragement.
The Hoffmann family’s vision also extends to the broader hockey ecosystem. The 2026 expansion integrates the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, linking the camp’s Florida roots with the franchise’s rich hockey heritage, and leveraging the Everblades’ home arena to broaden outreach.