Bisons team up with SMHA

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The UFA Bisons are teaming up with Strathmore Minor Hockey Association for a second year as they will be involved with novice, atom and peewee practices by teaching the kids the fundamentals of the game.
Bisons general manager Wayne Hansen is grateful to see the players be mentors for the younger kids.
“One of the reasons that actually we’re doing the skate with the (young players) is it’s easier for our boys and for the coaches, that the players will be attached to their team (and) for them to see what Dan’s trying to get across to be taught,” said Hansen.
The Bisons will be expected to bring some of their knowledge from what they have learned from practice to game situations.
“We thought it’d be a good idea to have our guys on the ice with a group of players and we would run them through what’s called station practices. If you watch top minor hockey coaches run practices, is that everything you do has a purpose from the time you step on the ice whatever drill that you’re doing, you’re going to continue to add to that and by the end of the practice it’s going to be almost a game-like situation,” said Hanson.
This will give the chance for the players interact with one another on the ice and also to give back the community.
“It’s a way for our kids to give back to the community, it’s a part of their leadership curriculum at the school, (and) a part of the sports performance program that their involved in at the school,” said Hansen.
“At the end of the day, a lot of these kids look up to the Bisons. It’s good for our guys to get out there and get the feel for what that’s all about because when they go to junior that’s going to be expected of them.”
One of the adjustments from last year to this year was that the Bison players needed a clear understanding of what they are supposed to be doing on the ice.
“Our kids didn’t have a clear understanding of what they should be doing on the ice and they don’t want to go in there and be disruptive. One of the things that minor hockey suggested this year was maybe have the boys do a drill and run it every time they come out,” said Hansen.
“We’re giving them the tools to learn. So those that want to will accept it, there might be something in there that makes it click to one of those kids and if that happens that’s a great day.”
Bisons captain and Strathmore native Shane Fraser is glad to be giving back to his hometown hockey roots.
“It’s pretty nice to know you’re are helping out with these kids to get better at hockey, you never know what they’re going to end up being someday, to know you can be a part of that it’s pretty cool feeling,” said Fraser.
“Obviously I spent quite a few years playing here. So seeing these kids reminds you of yourself somewhat.”
The young players look up to the Bisons a lot in the hockey community, and Fraser can relate to the excitement the kids feel having their idols on the ice with them.
“I always remember coming to the games just knowing that feeling could be you one day and it’s a great feeling nowadays that it came true,” said Fraser.