Westmount program develops young players

Times Reporter   

 

 Westmount Elementary School’s hockey program is going into its third season and is open for Grade 5-6 students that like to play hockey and want the extra ice time.

“Westmount hockey program is a fun, skilled-based program for anyone who wants to come and play. So we have some kids currently in the midst of peewee tryouts and have kids who haven’t played hockey before,” said Wayne Funk, Westmount school principal. “So they get two ice times a week that total two and half hours. One of our instructors is Dan MacDonald, who is the current coach of the Bisons, another one of our new instructors is Brett Vandehogen who is just starting his teaching career in town.”

The program has seen an increase interest from players since it was started two years ago. 

“We have 40 kids in the camp and they are all different levels and skills,” said Funk. “We decided to try and incorporate that (number) a couple of years ago and it’s grown. Our first year we had 24 kids in the hockey program, last year we had 32 and this year we have 40.”

Westmount’s program is strictly on the ice and there is no classroom component to it.

“We try and have them not miss any core time and their time at rink is scheduled during (the time) they’re in Phys. Ed,” said Funk.

Parents are all for the hockey program, and support from the school district has been a huge benefit as well.

“Golden Hills has been really supportive and provide us a bus at a real minimal cost. We transport the kids and their gear up there every day,” said Funk.

The players have really enjoyed getting quality instruction on the ice from experienced coaches such as MacDonald.

“The real beginner kids we’re working on skating and a little bit of puck handling,” said Funk. “Then as the players get a little more advanced, skating is still a huge part of the game but we work on skills.”

Skills they learn are backwards skating, puck control, and how to be creative on the ice.

According to Funk, parents have also noticed a difference in their child’s performance as a result of the program and are all for having the program available in schools.

The hockey program runs from September to November and again from January to March.