PORT McNEILL—The summer ice is on its way at Chilton Regional Arena, and organizers of several hockey and figure skating schools are hoping the North Island's skaters will turn out in force to take advantage of the off-season availability.
Benn Olson, a Port McNeill-raised pro hockey player, headlines the first of a series of hockey camps at Chilton when he brings his Excel Hockey Camp to town July 1-5. Olson, who has played in the AHL and the Elite European League, served as an instructor the last three years in fellow Port McNeill pro Clayton Stoner's Progressive Hockey Camp. He returns home for the first time as head instructor with a staff that includes former Vancouver Canucks draft pick and WHL standout Taylor Ellington.
Registration deadline for players age 5-16 is this Sunday, June 15. Registration may be accepted after that date but the camp cannot guarantee late registrants appropriate sized jerseys.
A $50 sibling discount is being offered for multiple-player families.
Registration forms are available locally at Timberland Sports in Port McNeill, or email excellhockey@gmail.com for registration forms and detailed camp info.
Lou Lemire follows with his sixth Summer Hockey Skills Camp July 7-11, with a regular day camp for players 6 and older and a separate adult skills camp for beginner and intermediate players who want to improve their skating and individual skills. The camp includes on-ice power skating and off-ice core stability training.
Registration forms, online registration and additional information is available at www.loulemirehockeycamp.com.
Figure skating
Port McNeill Figure Skating Club will take advantage of the summer ice with its two traditional skate training sessions. The Canskate program, for beginning and novice skaters, begins July 1 and runs nine days with on-ice sessions from 1:15-2 p.m. each weekday.
The junior-senior figure skating program will be held July 1-23, with skating from 9:30 a.m.-noon each day. An early registration session has already been held, but forms may be picked up at Timberland Sports and brought on the first day of the summer school. Please arrive early to sign up; for more information call Elizabeth at 250-956-3995.