Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 35
– SINCE 1913! –
Your LOCAL Paper!
$1 includes GST
Successful Brettzky Hockey Camp at Carena
Despite COVID-19 distancing and other restrictions, this year’s Brettzky Hockey Camp Aug. 11-14 was a busy time for young players to hone their hockey skills with some expert advice from the camp’s instructors. PATRICIA HARCOURT PHOTOS
Patricia Harcourt Editor
Young players had a chance to have an on-ice experience at the Viking Carena Complex in the middle of August. The Brettzky Hockey Camp took place from August 11-14 in the midst of pandemic restrictions such as sanitizing and social distancing requirements. And there were no spectators or members of the public allowed in the arena to watch the camp in progress. Eligible players ranged from U7 to U17 spent sessions learning techniques such as edge work/stride, puck control, transitions, passing/receiving, lateral movement, crossovers, and stick handling. Instructors for the four-day camp included Darryl Gagnon, a former BCHL and ACAC player who now operates the Red Wings Hockey Club and previously coached the Camrose Red Wings Bantam AAA team. Ashley Grantham specializes in
power skating. Another instructor, Lane Brockhoff, is now entering his final year with the Camrose Kodiaks, and is a former player for Team AJHL at the World Junior A Showcase last year. Brockhoff is also a former Camrose Red Wing player. Instructor Chase Leslie is a former Camrose Red Wing who is currently entering his third season with the Red Deer Rebels. The sessions were available for players ranging from U7 to U17 groups and included one hour on-ice sessions daily. During that time players maintained social distancing requirements. There was a limit of 17 players per age group and each player was required to complete a daily online COVID-19 self assessment before entering the facility. The 2020 Brettzky event was cancelled due to COVID-19 but people are looking forward to next year when they hope the mid-summer hockey challenge will return. Funds raised from the challenge are given back to groups in the community every year.