The second annual Sunshine Coast Summer Hockey School was bigger and better this year.
More than 100 kids and adults took to the ice last week at the Sunshine Coast Arena for a full week of skills and training in preparation for the 2005/06 hockey season.
The camp was organized by Tom Poulton with on-ice instruction from Gibsons native Brad Wingfield, power skating instructor Denise North, Poulton and Wingfield's friend Ryan Esselmont.
The camp was divided into several groups: Beginners, Tyke/Novice, Atom/Peewee and Bantam/Midget.
Each group (except beginners) was treated to 10 ice sessions, two per day of on-ice instruction. In between, kids practised a variety of off-ice dryland training.
Each group took advantage of stride slide hockey specific training with Esselmont, lacrosse with Anthony Taylor from the Sunshine Coast Lacrosse Association and Scott Elliott, golf with Dean Totten at the Sechelt Golf and Country Club, hiking, soccer and swimming.
The Sunshine Coast RCMP also got involved as Const. Bryson Hill presented an informative drug and alcohol session for the Bantam/Midget players.
"The RCMP volunteered to do that. I asked the kids afterwards, and they said it was a great presentation," Poulton said.
There were also a lot of other volunteers who gave up their time to help out during the week, including former Coast minor hockey players Mike Yates and Pat Thorburn, Keith McKenzie, Cory Charleton, Don Legault and women's league player Sherry Nelson.
"Sherry was instrumental in the success of our adult division," said Poulton. "We tried this last year and didn't have a lot of success. But this year, Sherry picked up the ball and we had 25 people here for four quarter ice sessions. It was an impressive group. Hats off to Sherry for her efforts."
Poulton said overall he was very happy with the week. "There have been nothing but compliments from everyone," he said.
"The numbers are pretty good this year. Each year we learn a bit more and make a few changes to make the camp better. I think this year with all the off-ice activities it has made the week go by very fast. It's given the kids lots to do. I think they're all getting a lot out of the experience."
Wingfield was also happy with the camp. If his schedule permits, he would love to be involved again next year.
"Things have run much smoother this year," Wingfield said. "Lots of parents have commented that they thought the drills on the ice were really good and beneficial. From the start of the week to the end, I've seen a big improvement in the skills. That's what it's all about. If these kids can take what they've learned this week back to their teams when the season starts, they can just build on all of it and hopefully have a better season."
The weekend was reserved for an elite camp featuring Wingfield, Esselmont and John Morlagg, who currently plays in the American Hockey League. The camp was open to rep players.
"We treated the weekend more like a pro-camp atmosphere," Wingfield said. "The players were really put through the paces. It was far more intense, and for me, it was the most fun we had all week.
"I was pleased to be involved again this year. Tom did a great job organizing the week. It was fun to be back on the Coast, and I love giving back to the game."
