Children have a cool time on the Panthers teach introductory clinic for young skaters ice
Coconut Creek’s Aiden Marder zipped around the frozen surface like a seasoned pro. Well, almost. WithFloridaPanthers’ organization forward Anthony Greco as his guide, the fouryeargot his first exposure to ice hockey along with about 50 other participants during the recent Florida Panthers’ Learn To Play program at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs.
A joint effort among the National Hockey League (NHL), National Hockey League Players Association and USA Hockey, the introductory clinicwas the first of eight planned around South Florida for boys and girls ages 4 to 8 who have never before participated in organized hockey.
“It was fun playing real hockey with a puck,” said Aiden, who used to try to glide around the house on roller skates before hitting the ice.
Aiden was clinic by his
“It feels like you are floating on the ice,” said Ryan, a first-grader at North BrowardPreparatory School in Coconut Creek. “Playing hockey is exciting, especially when you score a goal.”
Jeffrey Marder said his sons previously took part in the Stanley Panther Skating joined at brother, the sixyear- Class, but Aiden had never worn pads or held a stick on the ice until the clinic.
“This is awesome,” the elderMarder said. “This one is really cool because right away they get to go out and play hockey. Everything from the equipment to the uniforms to the facility, they go out and they feel like they are part of the team.”
Hollywood’s Shoshana Bentolila, 6, spent most of her time with retired NHL defenseman Jeff Chychrun, who helped her negotiate herway around the rink.
“Itwasmy first time skating,” said the first-grader at Ben Gamla Charter School in Hollywood. “It was fun being on the ice. The hardest partwas trying to stay on the ice.”
Her father, at her effort.
“I was very proud of her and jealous,” he said. “I never had an opportunity to do anything like this and I am glad she had this opportunity. I think it is great that the Panthers are doing this and introducing kids to hockey. I grew up in Miami and didn’t know anything about hockey until I went to college.”
Randy Moller, who has been with the Florida Panthers for 21 years and is now the president of thePanthers Alumni Association, said the organization started the programayearagowith120participants and has watched that number grow to 400 this year. Mike, gushed Coconut Creek's Aiden Marder, 4, keeps his eye on the puck and is shown the proper way to hold his stick by Anthony Greco during the Florida Panthers’ recent Learn to Play program at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs. Marder was one of 50 youngsters ages 4 to 8 at the event.
“We started this program last year...we are in all of the rinks in South Florida,” Moller said. “We are putting these on and the response has been unbelievable.
“Kids really gravitate to the sport, but...the expense of playing can be a little prohibitive for a lot of families,” Moller continued, “so here is an entry way for them to try the game and we supply the equipment.”
Greco, 22, recently signed a contract with thePanthers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Mass.
He was more than happy to assist at the clinic.
“This is pretty awesome,” said Greco, who spent the past four seasons at Ohio State University where he tallied 37 goals and 35 assists in 125 career games and was the team captain last year. “I didn’t know too much going into it, but to go back in time basically and see the young guys and girls on the ice it’s pretty fun and it’s obviously important.”
Panthers’ Director of Community Relations John Colombo said providing free
equipment levels the playing field.
“Hockey is an expensive sport, but through this joint effort we were able to take the cost out of it and give these kids an opportunity to get out on the ice. They learn the game and hopefully we are able to build some future players.”
The Panthers also ran a summertime Street Cats floor ball program through the area YMCAs and the Boys and Girls Clubs. The eight-week program culminated last month with a
championship Center.
PeterWorrell, whoplayed seven seasons with the Panthers and is the hockey coach at North Broward Prep, said it is important for former players to give back.
“This is the future of the game,” said Worrell, 39. “This is the future of the organization and to be a part of it and help them find the love of the game is just exciting.”
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