The annual Sunshine Coast Hockey School saw young players from novice to midget put through the paces both on and off the ice last week as they prepare for the start of another season.
Former Sunshine Coast minor hockey player David Arduin, who is preparing for his second year at Geneseo State University in upstate New York, led this year's camp. Arduin had long-time linemate and friend Stefan Decosse as his co-coach.
"Honestly, this week, it has been everything and more," Arduin said on a break between age groups on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the Gibsons and Area Commu-nity Centre. "Stefan and I were both pretty nervous on the first day, but the first day went so smooth. The kids have been great, the parents have been helpful when they can, and the help we've had from Tom [Poulton] and the Sunshine Coast Regional District - it's been a full team effort."
A total of 14 kids were in the novice/atom group, 14 in the peewee group and 23 in the evening bantam/midget group.
"All three groups have been great. The novice and atoms have been focusing on having a bit more fun on the ice and covering the basics, but having fun keeps them entertained and interested," said Arduin. "The peewees have been a really dedicated group. I've been able to do a lot of drills straight from junior and college hockey - drills that focus on flow - a combination of timing, passing, getting your feet moving, skating up and down the ice - really involved drills - and I'm really impressed with how fast they were able to pick them up."
The evening ice sessions with the bantam/midget group were pretty intense, just what Arduin wanted.
"I had a fellow come in this morning and they work on the same construction site. His buddy said he could barely lift a hammer, so the bantam/midget group is working hard and that's what they signed up for," he said. "It's been a really talented group. There are a few guys who have come back from playing junior B hockey or are going to junior B try-outs. It's been really good to see the high-level talent. It's also good for the older guys to get back on the ice before their try-outs and get in shape, and it's good for the younger guys to see what it takes to get to that level the older guys are at. Overall, it's been a good experience."
Besides Decosse, Arduin received a lot of help from Graydon Benner, back for the summer and a break from his studies at Notre Dame in Saskatchewan and up and coming junior player Kyle Horsman, who was drafted by the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds in the ninth round of last year's bantam draft.
"Graydon has been a huge help all week. He's been helping with the peewee group both on and off the ice. He's fantastic with the kids and we really couldn't have had anyone better to help out," said Arduin. "Kyle was here today (Wednesday). He's a really talented kid and an up and coming player here on the Coast, so it's been nice to have him on the ice too lending a hand.
"For our first go around and for myself, Stefan and Tom, I think everyone would agree we've kept the kids happy, the parents happy and we've been having a great time too and we can certainly see noticeable improvement with the kids, so the whole week has been a huge success."
Editor's note: See Coast Reporter sports next week for more hockey school coverage including the HEROS program and One Goal.
