Saint John, NB: Hockey Canada’s Atlantic Centre of Excellence (ACOE), in co-operation with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador is excited to announce the largest ever Hockey Canada Skills Development Camp in Atlantic Canada, to be held at the Goulds Arena on Saturday, .

Hockey Canada Skills Camps provide participants in the Atom and Pee Wee age groups with an opportunity to develop skills through hockey during a one-day program. Participants become members of Team Canada for a day and are exposed to top-level coaching and a curriculum that focuses on skill enhancement in a safe and enjoyable environment. Players attending the camp also participate in off-ice sessions, one teaching the importance of Respect in everyday life, as well as a session on Fitness and Nutrition that provides valuable information that benefits the athlete in and out of the hockey arena.

The Goulds camp will feature 108 participants in 3 groups of 36, which easily makes it the largest one-day Skills camp that the Atlantic Centre of Excellence has ever been involved with. Skills Development Camps are typically limited to a maximum of 90 participants, but several factors enabled the Goulds camp to surpass this total. ACOE Manager of Hockey Operations Trevor Murphy grew up close by in Mount Pearl and can attest to the excitement generated by the camp. “Newfoundlanders take a back seat to none in terms of their love and passion for the sport of hockey,” Murphy stated. “It comes as no surprise to me that kids and parents are equally excited about a chance to don the jersey and become part of Team Canada for the day!” Murphy also pointed out that one of the contributing factors to being able to run such a large camp was due to the high level of support received from quality coaches and volunteers in the area. “We’re very excited about raising the bar with our Skills Camps, and community lead Ken Chafe has contributed to this by assembling a highly qualified staff that will ensure the kids have a great day of fun and learning.”

Chafe, who has been an active leader in minor hockey for many years, has had no problem filling staff or player spots for the camp. “The response has been overwhelming” “stated Chafe. “If we had another 100 openings, I think we could fill them quite easily!” Chafe also praised his coaches and support staff, saying, “The response from coaches and volunteers has enabled us to assemble a tremendous group of people who are eager to teach the kids about hockey and life. I can guarantee that the kids won’t be the only ones having a lot of fun on Saturday!” Hockey Canada’s Atlantic Centre of Excellence is located in Saint John, New Brunswick and works to deliver programs such as Skills Development Camps throughout Atlantic Canada. For more information on this event:

Trevor Murphy, Atlantic Centre of Excellence, Manager of Hockey Operations

(506) 642-0491

Mike Dawson, Atlantic Centre of Excellence, Development Coordinator

(506) 642-0494

Ken Chafe, Goulds Skills Camp Community Lead

(709) 745-3118

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Trevor Murphy

Director of Operations, Team Atlantic

(506) 642-0491

[email protected]