Flames give back to first-timers
This Stanley Cup final has me wishing I could spend a few days in Nashville. While I can’t say I was much of a Predators fan a few months ago, it has been fun to watch that city have a fun time every time the Predators hit the ice. As much as I do like the Predators, I also admire Sidney Crosby and what he has done again this post-season. Again, I sit here indifferent, just enjoying a good series and a great playoff.
For Hockey Alberta we are busy planning our Development Weekend in Sylvan Lake, July 1618. For anyone wishing to register for Coaches Skills, Goaltending or the Development Directors stream, registration closes Friday.
Hockey Alberta is also finishing up the planning for our Coaches Conference that will take place at the brand new Rogers Place in Edmonton on July 8-9. Registration for that is also available at www.hockeyalberta.ca.
One of the other projects that has kept me busy is the planning and execution for the Calgary Flames Learn to Play Program that has been taking place on Saturday mornings in Lethbridge. This has been my first experience with a Learn to Play Program and the experience has been fulfilling.
Originally when we partnered with the Flames on this project I had no idea the number of kids who would sign up. The program is open to any player between four and eight years old who have never played hockey before. Incredibly 48 participants signed up, a number that both wowed and intimidated me.
How was I supposed to run an ice session that had 48 first-time hockey players between four and eight years old?
To be honest it originally sounded more like babysitting than coaching hockey. But, of course, with Hockey Alberta we have enough resources from previous programs that have been run, which allowed me to prepare for a program of this magnitude. I was able to instil the help of several local hockey people for support with this program.
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s and women’s programs deserve an immense amount of appreciation for the support they have given this program. Jay Merkley, Evan Wardley, Mitch and Russ Maxwell, Torrin White, Tyler Hansen and Brooke Paisley have all offered up their Saturday mornings to come help with the program. A special thanks goes to Tim Campbell who has even run the program on days when I have been pulled other places for work.
While myself and probably several other parents of participants probably don’t remember watching Tim Hunter, Jamie Macoun or Dana Murzyn play, they hold a special place in the lore of the Calgary Flames — they all won a Stanley Cup for the Flames. Dana and Jamie drive from Calgary every Saturday to help support the program and Tim drives in from Moose Jaw. Their dedication to helping this program has been paramount to making it run as smoothly as it has. This program is a great example of how the Flames have given back to hockey in our province. For a mere cost of $175 each participant was outfitted head to toe in hockey equipment (including skates) and was given six ice sessions.
We have one more session this Saturday and the improvement in the players has been incredible. I am proud to say that each participant can now skate by themselves without a pylon or walker for support.
I hope the Flames are able to offer this program again in the future. Another program that parents should be aware of is the Canadian Tire First Shift Program. Registration just opened. This program is similar to the Flames Learn to Play Program in that participants receive headto-toe equipment in addition to ice sessions to help teach the kids the game. To register for the Canadian Tire First Shift program either go to
I’ve learned a lot about the valuable programs that are out there in order to give kids a great first experience playing hockey. If anyone has any questions on these programs please call or email me. I know several of you are counting down the days until hockey season and for you first-time hockey parents this is an exciting time.