As the summer winds down, the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association (WLMHA), coaches, players and parents are all gearing up for another season full of opportunities for amateur hockey players throughout the community.
Kicking off in Sept., a power skating course offered by the WLMHA and AK Hockey, a skating and skill development company, is set to welcome more than 150 eager hockey players onto the ice.
Three one-hour development courses for eight groups of minor hockey players will take place from Sept. 4 to Sept. 9.
Full hockey gear is required and it is expected to be a great chance to get back on the ice before tryouts the following week.
Aaron Konecsni, the director of player development for AK Hockey, has a wealth of experience training players who are just starting out, to NHL All Stars such as Shea Weber, Jonathan Toews, and many others.
Lucky participants will be privy to numerous experienced coaches from AK Hockey, that specialize in developing players overall balance and technique to maximize their performance in all game situations — with and without the puck.
WLMHA coaches will also have the opportunity to partake in an evening of power skating coaching with Konecsni. There will be a one-hour classroom setting followed by a one-hour on-ice component to ensure that coaches are just as prepared as players when the season begins.
WLMHA is also expecting two-to-four local coaches with each group session through out the week. This is being done to help practice some of the power-skating tools taught in the coaches evening, while also assisting and making sure the players consistent and on track while in their sessions.
Following the power skating workshops, tryouts begin on Sept. 10, with Pee Wee Rep tryouts, Midget Rep tryouts, Pee Wee Female Rep tryouts and Bantam female tryouts, respectively.
Tryouts will run until Saturday, Sept. 22. The full schedule can be found at www.wlmha.ca
Reffing clinics are also available, and Corwin Smid, the Referee in Chief for the WILMHA wants to ensure that those interested understand an online officiating course must be taken prior to any clinics.
“Those that have never refereed before need to sign up for Hockey University on the BC Hockey website, and take the officiating online segment before you come to the classroom part of the course on Sept. 15, 2018,” said Smid.
After the classroom portion is completed, news referees will have an icetime on the same day to cover the basics. Skates, a helmet and black pants are all required for those interested.
Furthermore, due to the success of the Esso Girls Fun Day in May, The Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association, in conjunction with Total Ice, will be hosting a six-session event for girls who are interested in starting hockey.
Although the event is now full, the intention is to attract new female hockey players to the game. When space allows, there will reportedly be considerations made for attendance from more experienced players
Full gear is being provided, if needed, as well as on-ice basic instruction and an introduction to the sport of hockey. There will be small groups and a very welcoming environment, said Jen Loewen of the WLMHA.
“If you are interested in trying out goalie gear — whether you are a current player or just coming out for the first time, we have some for you to try. When registering mention you want to try goalie gear.”
