A sure sign that summer is drawing to a close is the return of Powell River Kings Hockey School.
Kings head coach Kent Lewis and assistant coach Brock Sawyer, with the help of current and former Kings players, will run minor hockey players ages eight to 16 through on-ice skill sessions over a period of five days.
According to Sawyer, three players from Powell River made the Kings roster last season: Jack Long, Hunter Findlater and Rylan Ball. That trio, along with other team members, will drop by Hap Parker Arena at Powell River Recreation Complex to help out at the hockey school, which takes place from Monday, August 15, to Thursday, August 19.
“It’s an exciting time of the year for us to get back on the ice and have current and prospective players coming to town throughout the week,” said Sawyer. “They’re always eager to help on the ice.”
Sawyer said with good development some of the local players skating in the bantam/midget division at this year’s school have a chance to play for the Kings in the future.
Sawyer first came across Hunter Findlater, who now plays forward for his hometown team, at the hockey school.
Ball, also born and raised in Powell River and part of the Kings roster last season, started attending the hockey school when he was at the peewee level.
“It’s something you look forward to when August hits, even late July,” said Ball. “You’re always antsy to get back on the ice and see your buddies from the year before. The young guys obviously look up to the older guys. All the years I went were a blast.”
Now one of those older guys, Ball will come full circle by helping Lewis and Sawyer at the school. Later this month, Ball plans to skate at Kings camp before leaving for University of Western Ontario to play for the Mustangs.
“It’s kind of cool now that I’m done. Hopefully the kids will look up to me a bit and get a little boost of confidence,” he said. “It’s a way of giving back and it’s always fun getting on the ice with the kids.”
Ball said the hockey school is a way for young players to see their favourite Kings and develop a special connection with them and the team.
“They’re the hometown celebrities because it’s the highest level of hockey here,” he said. “The kids are being helped on the ice by Kings they recognize from watching the games, and some new faces.”
According to Sawyer, the hockey school focuses on skills and fundamentals in order for young players to acquire a feel for being back on the ice every day, improve their game and have fun.
Ball said hockey schools that take place in late summer are great for young players to get back into the game.
“These days a lot of the parents go a little too crazy with all the spring hockey; kids need a break from the ice,” he said. “Camps later in the summer are huge because you’re just getting on the ice and every year you come back you get better and better.”
For information or to register in either atom, peewee or bantam/midget divisions, go to powellriverkings.com.
