Another summer is coming to a close and with it the second of Stettler's two summer hockey camps.
The second of two hockey camps held annually in Stettler, the East Central Hockey School, which ran from Aug. 15-19 at the Stettler Recreation Centre, had kids lacing up and dusting off their hockey skills.
The week-long hockey camp gave kids a chance to work on their hockey and teamwork skills, start working on stamina, and learn life-long fitness skills before the start of the season this fall.
The Stettler-based hockey school is now in its sixth year, and in the years since its formation, has had more than 800 kids join the camp. This year, the team of coaches and volunteers tutored about 115 students, both boys and girls — a number that organizer Jason Hegberg admitted was down from the usual sold-out 140.
"It was still very good," he said. "Even though the numbers were down, we're always evolving and changing programs, changing how we teach. There's always a new and improved way to teach."
Over the course of five days, participants had nine ice sessions where they learned pivotal hockey skills like power skating and offensive and defensive skills, as well as off-ice activities and dryland training that focused on building teamwork skills, physical fitness and healthy habits. CJ Oprea and Andrea DeYoung led lessons in fitness, yoga and stretching for the young hockey athletes.
Non-hockey sports are an important part of the camp, too, Hegberg said, and for that reason, other sports like soccer and lacrosse are added to the mix. This year, lacrosse was added, with Stettler Minor Lacrosse Association's Kim Smyth coming out to teach.
Part of the camp also includes the final showcase games, where students compete in teams, putting their skills to the test in an actual match against their fellow campers.
After all the activities are done, staff announce the Top Performer award recipients.
"The top performer award was presented to kids who tried their best and exemplified hard work, a great attitude and leadership," Hegberg said. The 12 winners were presented with a signed Shane Doan hockey print, donated by the Halkirk-born NHLer.
For more information about East Central Hockey School, visit www.eastcentralhockey.com.