Coach Thierry Martine watches as young players in the hockey skills development program practice the fundamentals in the Oliver arena.
Lyonel Doherty photo
It’s a far cry from Hockey Night in Canada, but give Oliver school children some ice time on Monday afternoons and they’re happy.
That’s the verdict in the new hockey skills development program established recently at the Oliver arena.
More than 20 students from Oliver Elementary, Tuc-el-Nuit and Sen Pok Chin have signed up for the program, which is being coached by several volunteers.
One is former Osoyoos Coyotes player Thierry Martine from Oliver.
“It’s giving the kids more ice time . . . a lot of schools have this program,” he said.
Martine pointed to the lineup of kids waiting to get on the ice 10 minutes before start time.
“They’re really excited.”
Martine noted that Osoyoos has a hockey academy for students, who have shown much improvement since its inception.
“We need something like that here.”
Martine said he wants to use his knowledge and give something back to the youth in Oliver.
What are the kids learning?
The fundamentals, Martine said, noting the same things that NHL players learn every practice.
Nine-year-old Poppy Sweetman said she signed up for the program after watching her friend play the sport.
“I like hockey . . . it’s really interesting. You win trophies.”
Sweetman said the coaches are teaching them a lot, including how to shoot the puck and skate faster.
When asked about the challenges of the sport, she admitted it’s a hard game to learn.
“When you try to get the puck off them (opposing players), they shoot the puck through your legs, which is kind of annoying.”
Ten-year-old Justin Vala said he likes the hockey school because he gets to see all of his friends.
“It’s really fun to pass the puck around.”
Vala said he’s learning to be a better hockey player, but he finds it hard to stop on the ice.
Volunteer coach Anthony Ruck said the camp is a pilot project that he and Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan have been working on since last spring.
He noted the program is similar to the Hockey Canada Skills Academy in Osoyoos that has been running successfully for several years now.
“We wanted to provide the children in Oliver the same opportunity.”
Ruck said the program is a win-win situation for everyone.
He explained that children who can’t participate in the minor hockey system still have a chance to learn the skills of playing Canada’s favourite game. It can also be a transition into the minor hockey league.
Ruck said the program makes valuable use of ice time that is not normally used.
He pointed out that players must be in good standing at school to participate and have permission from their teachers.
The kids learn fair play and sportsmanship, and what it’s like to work hard.
Ruck said they anticipate the program to double in participants next year.
Sheridan said the idea was introduced to her by Ruck, who is involved in minor hockey.
“Some early discussions took place at the school level and it was decided that a pilot program would be launched through the community centre in 2015 to gauge interest and build the case for a school academy in Oliver.”
Sheridan said families who registered their children in this program were looking for an opportunity for additional ice time, additional physical activity during the day, and a chance for their kids to learn team skills as well as personal skills from experienced coaches.
“It is unique because it combines student players of varying ability and age from all three elementary schools on the ice at one time during the school day, with the common goal of improving skills in a non-competitive atmosphere and having fun.”
Sheridan said they have parents who come each week to assist the players get dressed and tie skates.
“There has been a real atmosphere of sharing and helping each other out as far as equipment and supervision goes.”
She noted that discussions are still underway with school administrators about the potential for a school hockey academy in future years.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
