Jason Malone, head coach of the Pictou County Weeks Crushers, is about to get some ice time with his new players, but his focus won’t be on them.
Instead it will be on the youth ages five and up taking part in the Crushers’ summer hockey school, which is set to begin Aug. 16.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Malone. “It gives not only myself, but the players the opportunity to get together with some kids and give back to the community.”
Malone has a background with the Andrew’s Hockey Growth Program, and believes in the importance of stressing the basic skills of hockey to players at a young age.
“We want to make sure that the camp is focusing on the foundational aspects of the game for the younger players taking part,” he said. “The morning sessions will focus primarily on proper skating techniques, while our evening sessions will integrate basic puck skills. Obviously, we want the kids to come out and meet some of our players and have some fun, but we also want to make sure that these kids are learning the proper mechanics needed to become efficient skaters.”
Wade Taylor, president of the Crushers, sees the camp as a valued part of the Crushers organization, and sees it moving in the right direction.
“We feel the hockey school this year will take a significant step forward with the addition of Jason and his amount of experience with the Andrew’s program, which is highly regarded both nationally and internationally.”
The school will run from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily and will feature two ice sessions daily as well as gym and pool time at the YMCA. The program will also feature information sessions for the kids on nutrition, injury prevention and office conditioning as well as guest speakers throughout the week.
Malone said he’s hoping for about 15 of the Jr. A Crushers to take in the school. While their attention will be on the kids, Malone said it will be good for him as a new coach to get to know the guys a little better.
“I don’t know many of them to begin with so it will be nice to see them in a public setting,” he said.
It’s also a chance to help develop kids who may go on to play Jr. A or higher.
Registration forms can be found on their website www.weekscrushershockey.com or by contacting Jane Scott at jane@advocateprinting.ns.ca.
