Hockey NYS
March 2012
the challenges presented by travel hockey. “That’s when we began a house league,” continued McFall. “It allowed the local kids a chance to play hockey. “Over the years the program has given hundreds of kids the chance to play hockey and experience the sport that otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity. “You have to remember that when I talk to people up in Buffalo about travel hockey, their idea of travel is going from Hamburg to Amherst. But in Jamestown it’s a whole different story. “For us, travel in Jamestown can be a three-hour drive for an 80-minute game. It turned out to be a seven or eight hour day for us. “That’s why this program is so important. It keeps the travel, as well as expense, down for the kids and their parents.” McFall admits that he learned a lot of what he uses today in hockey from his dad. “I watched and he taught me the basics of how to treat kids as well as the parents,” said McFall, a graduate of Oswego State College, where he also played four years of hockey. “He set a good example for me to follow.” Interestingly, hockey never seems to end for McFall. One of his greatest contributions to youth hockey in Western New York came in 1992 when, upon recognizing a lack of summer hockey programs in the Jamestown area, McFall created a summer hockey camp. “This summer we will be entering our 20th season,” remarked McFall. “My brothers help me with the program that provides additional hockey training for area hockey players of all ages. “We all have the love of hockey. Combine that with our love of working with kids and it makes for a great combination. “The bottom line is that the kids have fun and learn about a great sport. You can’t go wrong with that.”the
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challenges presented by travel hockey. “That’s when we began a house league,” continued McFall. “It allowed the local kids a chance to play hockey. “Over the years the program has given hundreds of kids the chance to play hockey and experience the sport that otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity. “You have to remember that when I talk to people up in Buffalo about travel hockey, their idea of travel is going from Hamburg to Amherst. But in Jamestown it’s a whole different story. “For us, travel in Jamestown can be a three-hour drive for an 80-minute game. It turned out to be a seven or eight hour day for us. “That’s why this program is so important. It keeps the travel, as well as expense, down for the kids and their parents.” McFall admits that he learned a lot of what he uses today in hockey from his dad. “I watched and he taught me the basics of how to treat kids as well as the parents,” said McFall, a graduate of Oswego State College, where he also played four years of hockey. “He set a good example for me to follow.” Interestingly, hockey never seems to end for McFall. One of his greatest contributions to youth hockey in Western New York came in 1992 when, upon recognizing a lack of summer hockey programs in the Jamestown area, McFall created a summer hockey camp. “This summer we will be entering our 20th season,” remarked McFall. “My brothers help me with the program that provides additional hockey training for area hockey players of all ages. “We all have the love of hockey. Combine that with our love of working with kids and it makes for a great combination. “The bottom line is that the kids have fun and learn about a great sport. You can’t go wrong with that.”*
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