Calling all U15 hockey players

Times Reporter

 

Hockey Alberta is putting on a U15 camp for both male and female hockey players, beginning April 29 and ending May 1. The camp in Strathmore is a part of the U15 set of camps, and they are running approximately seven of them in the province this year. This is the first camp in the line-up for the off-season. 

“The reason that we have the U15 camps, the main reason is to, well one…to have a quick weekend style camp where we run skill sessions and also have some games along the way,” said Troy Muspratt, Regional Development Coordinator- South for Hockey Alberta. 

“But more importantly, it’s an introduction to the Team Alberta program where these kids, next year, will be getting invited to try out for the Alberta Cup.”

The Alberta Cup program is a Hockey Alberta Development program that provides everyone involved with an opportunity to learn more about competitive hockey in a well organized, fair, Zone camp and select team competition. 

“What we wanted to do was have a weekend style camp where we can introduce the program to them, and hopefully generate some excitement and some interest in the process, and let them kind of know what they need to do to be an elite player,” said Muspratt.

“Or if they don’t want to be an elite player, at least (show them) some things they can do to at least improve their game.”

The camp goes back to the basics in the first few lessons, with puck handling and skating, some power work with edges, and tight turns. Muspratt said the kids then move into team play, defensive zones and learning to read a reaction to a play, and offensive triangles. This is the third year they have run the U15 camps, and Muspratt said it is one of the programs they look to run every year. 

“It’s a $150 for the weekend, and that includes four ice times, and roughly about three hours of off-ice stuff that would include the Team Alberta presentation, and some dry land work,” said Muspratt.

“We usually try to bring in a nutritionist for the kids, and the parents, to talk to them about diet and healthy living.”

He said the camp is not really designed for new players. While they won’t turn them away, Muspratt said it is recommended the kids participating in the camp have played hockey previously. The registration deadline is April 20, and to register people can go to www.teamalbertahockey.ca.