Producing better hockey players and coaches has been a focus of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association since the organization began nearly 100 years ago and it continues that mandate to this day.
The SHA and Hockey Canada hope to draw players to the Battlefords Aug. 15 to 19 and coaches Aug. 14 to prepare them for the upcoming season and improve everyone as hockey players and help those interested become better coaches.
For players age five to 16, being prepared for the upcoming hockey season requires practicing the core skills of the game. Players will work on power skating, passing, shooting, puck control and checking skills during both on and off-ice sessions, which add up to 20 hours of hockey learning in five days. Players will be divided by skill level and age and given everyone opportunity to improve their skills.
Along with qualified instructors from Saskatchewan, Fiona Smith-Bell will be a special guest instructor. The Edam hockey player has went on to have a long and successful career highlighted by a silver medal in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan with the women's national team.
Coaches will gain experience and tips on skill development, season planning, practice planning, station training and off-ice multi sport coaching skills. Coaches are invited to participated the evening before the camp then apply what they have learned throughout the camp as a volunteer at the Civic Centre. Coaches will leave with more knowledge of coaching, a track suit, DVDs and season coaching planning tools.
Players can register for $325 online at sha.sk.ca and coaches looking for more information can contact Jason L'Heureux at mariolheureux@yahoo.ca or 445-6223.
